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Post By AlexEkins
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1 Day Ago
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Join Date: Feb 2025
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Total newbie looking for inspiration...
Total newbie! I’ve joined here hoping to get some advice and inspiration.
I’m in my fifties and am looking for some new adventures and challenges.
I’ve done a lot of adventurous travelling and mountaineering but I’m wondering if adventure motorbiking might be a way to keep active and challenged as I get older.
I’m looking at creating a long term plan to ride the Trans Moroccan Trail.
I’d be looking at shorter tours and maybe a guided tour or two in Morocco first.
I’m not in hurry which is good thing as I’ve got to learn to ride a motorbike first!
I’m based in Sheffield, UK.
It would great to get some advice. But also feel free to discourage me!
Cheers
Alex
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1 Day Ago
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
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I’m not going to go on and on, because it sounds like you’re in the very early stages of even deciding what you want, much less how to do it. But I did start riding in my fifties, and although I’m slowing drastically heading into my seventies I did manage quite a few adventures before previous errant lifestyle choices started catching up with me. I first started riding as a means of continuing adventurous travel in relative comfort as I aged and became more fragile, and that seemed a valid approach for a decade and a half.
But it’s all highly theoretical until you start riding. Maybe you won’t like it; maybe people you’re close to won’t like it, and will insist you stop. And maybe you won’t be able to make it work financially—this can be a lot more trouble than it first seems. So start by doing whatever it takes to get licensed—this is apparently much more complicated in England than a lot of places—following which you can beg, borrow, steal and/or purchase a bike to see how it feels. You’ll need to get some miles under your belt before joining any sort of guided tour, group or solo, and if you’re not enjoying those miles the whole thing becomes academic.
Hope that’s helpful.
Mark
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Join Date: Feb 2025
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Hi Mark
Thank you for your intuitive reply. And yes very helpful.
You've picked up on some of my own fears. And getting the approval of my wife is definitely an issue. Having said that she is very much aware that I have 'enthusiasms' and will most likely hope that this one goes away.
I'm encouraged by your own late start and it's great that you got a good few years of adventures.
So yes first step is get that license.
Thanks again
Alex
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8 Hours Ago
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As per above, learn to ride first, see if you enjoy it, then start planning if you do. Being on a motorcycle is a very different prospect to other modes of transport, it's not just a car without windows (in a good way)
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Go for it! See that you find riding pals in your vicinity with whom you can practice your riding skills.
I only got my m/c license at the age of 52, but was very lucky to have close friends who were all ardent bikers. So I could learn a lot in a short time. Six years later I was fortunate enough to be able to quit my job and fly my bike to Cape Town. And yes, fortunately I've got a wife who keeps me on a very long leash  It took me a whole year to get back to Munich....
That said - it is never too late to start with ADV riding.
Good luck!
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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...
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)
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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!

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!
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.
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.
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