Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Fitting back in to normal life HELP Fitting back in to normal life HELP
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Oct 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Unhappy Fitting back in to normal life HELP
A week and a half back after a trip and I have had enough, what suggestions have you got to making the switch back easier? What do others do to lessen the impact? maybe I should buy a second bike to fill in the gap until the ship arrives back with mine.

Time for a Beer!
Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Oct 2006
Shells's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Travelling in Australia
Posts: 175
You're in good company
Glen, mate, you're in the best company here.
Maybe you could gather a few HUBB members near you and benchmark your sanity over a few bevvies.

The trick when you are back is to spend more time with the people who know where you are coming from.
And start planning another trip

Those feelings won't go away, they will just become a little quieter while you take on your 'other personality'.
Aaarg, writing this is making ME feel GRRR!
Ha! the in-between times suck. there's no way around it. But it's the in-between times that make the amazing trip experiences possible.

Try to get involved in something that is important to you, something that keeps you motivated and keeps some of that adventurous spirit alive.
And keep in touch with all the mad people on here who will understand those struggles, and then promptly start telling you about the phenomenal trip that they are going on
__________________
If you don't have bugs in your teeth, you haven't been grinning enough!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Oct 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
That's the bit I'm dreading, the 'getting back to normality' bit. For me the focus at the moment is on the going away part, not the coming back.

I finish up work two weeks today (actually finaly arranged my 'leaving do') and although my boss has kindly given me a more or less open-ended sabatical after me giving him very vauge timescales (anywhere from 6-8 months or not coming back at all), I'm still not sure what I want to do when I come home again, let alone fall back into the same old job.

I'll just see what avenues present themselves on the trip and if I do end up back in the same place again, well there's always another trip to plan...

Best of luck!
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Oct 2006
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
The 'next trip' is always a good way of forgetting how boring 'ordinary' life is. Mine is years away yet so am filling the time constructively. Since getting back in June I have built a 6 thousand gallon pond in the garden and am 2/3rds the way through a canoe (not for use on the pond). Can we have a 'Canoe Tech' section Grant ?
If I get my hands on a girl she's gonna have a terrible time

Watch this space for 'Trans-Sahara-by-canoe.blogspot.com'

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Oct 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Far, Away
Posts: 168
Small trip
In between big trips I'd plan a small one, perhaps the 100th Isle of Man TT at the end of May might be a light at the end of the tunnel, it's cheap and friendly or hacking around Europe, even for a long weekend can be good fun and the bikers are friendly over there too.

Iain.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2006
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Brisbane Australia currently on 2 RTW
Posts: 128
Talking Fitting back into "normal life"
Hey Glen,

We know how you feel. It's just over 5 yeas since we finished our last RTW and only 11 months until our next one!! Come round for a and we'll get a few liked minded people together and talk about far off places and roads to be travelled.

Ken & Carol
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 6 Oct 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Far, Away
Posts: 168
Take 2
Just saw where you're based, so the TT might be a bit of a trek!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Oct 2006
Shells's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Travelling in Australia
Posts: 175
VBs all round
Yay for Ken and Carol!
Wish I was in Qld to join you... it's on my list!

Matt... I worry about you
(what you gonna put in the pond?? And what did you do with all the earth that came out of it? You could build a motoX track!) Hey, isn't there a guy whose going to canoe the amazon next year? Crazy lunatic! (love it!).

Glen, you'll be right. Get that note pad out and start doodling your next adventure, even if it is just a monthly tally of savings towards it.
(and, look on the bright side, you're in Australia FFS! Go surfing or something! While us sad bastards in the UK look out at the rain & put the heating on)

__________________
If you don't have bugs in your teeth, you haven't been grinning enough!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 Oct 2006
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Thumbs up Found the answer
Going new bike shopping seems to soak up thinking time. Now to ring Ken and organise that cold .

Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Oct 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Plan for 2008 OCR ... at least for OZies. Ask RTO.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 Oct 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
I'm with Matt, find yourself an interim project. Mine was building small boats - but it could be sewing quilts or brewing your own . Of course if you bought yourself a mig-welder you could start on that sidecar and trailer...
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 18 Oct 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: United Arab Emirates
Posts: 51
Hi Matt

Looks like you had a good trip. I live and work in the UAE and have thought about ridding back to the UK at some stage. Would be very interested in any tips you might have of any hidden problems that you may have not covered on your web page.

Peter.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18 Oct 2006
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Hi Peter,
Hard to know where to start really, I guess the main thing I learnt was to have plenty of money and not rush too much. Gotta love riding in the desert, warm and dry is where it's at!
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal and back - next spring? spakur North Africa 13 7 Dec 2006 12:29
Riding for Relay for Life (NZ - Team Horizons Unlimited) Kiwirider Motorcycle Events around the world 1 7 Jul 2006 03:09
The turkey to egypt though israel and back problem ryanclark11 Middle East 1 30 Jun 2004 05:44
Driving back or flying back from India to NL? peerke Route Planning 4 2 Oct 2003 00:49
Burkina Faso back to Morocco Andy Hunt North Africa 0 24 Jul 2001 16:44

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:40.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top