- Pre-Registration
- Pre-Register to attend the Meeting
- Present YOUR travel adventure!
- Present YOUR Tech Clinic - good at something of interest to motorcycle Travellers? Please do a Tech Clinic for us!
- Vendors! Register here
- Press! Magazine, newspaper, TV, radio etc with credentials, Register here
- Please Volunteer to help out! Odd jobs, registration, gate, etc. Just 2 hours of your time, and it's a great way to meet people! Register on this page and tick Volunteer box, OR here if you have already registered and want to add volunteering.
- Pre-Register to attend the Meeting
- Meeting Location - Where is it?
- Camping on site
- Other Accommodation
- Information about the area
- Membership
- Rides
- Local hosts, information
Event
poster available! Please post it everywhere!
Want to know what people thought of other HU Meetings? Is it worth coming to the Meeting?
"I'm so looking forward to another UK meet. My only problem is that I simply can't get to every talk I want, such is the amount of terrific presentations on offer. Each year I've been astonished at how articulate, intelligent, informative and entertaining the speakers are. I'm willing to help with anything that doesn't keep me from a talk - and my timetable will be full to bursting!" More comments here.
The Plan
The plan is simple. Show up on Thursday or at the latest Friday afternoon, meet people and setup. Travel Presentations and Tech seminars are planned throughout the meeting, starting Thursday night. More Detailed Schedule here.
We can always use some help! If you want to assist, please sign up to volunteer to assist on the day or here for advance work or to ask questions. Thanks!
2010 Speakers and Tech Seminars (so far, more to come):
- Around the World
- Doug Wothke
Around the world on a 60's Harley chopper - rigid rear, extended front-end and suicide shift!
- Doug Wothke
- James Bay Road
- Ilian Valchev, Bulgaria
the most northern part of Quebec - east side of Hudson Bay. A solo 4 day trip.
- Ilian Valchev, Bulgaria
- Canadian Maritimes Provinces
- Ilian Valchev, Bulgaria
A solo 12 day trip.
- Ilian Valchev, Bulgaria
- Europe
- Steve Coleman, USA
6 months, 16 countries, 18,000 kilometers, plus details on a month in Ukraine
- Steve Coleman, USA
- Panniers / Alu-boxes
- Ilko Ilchev, Bulgaria
Panniers - make your own! It's easier than you think.
- Ilko Ilchev, Bulgaria
- An exotic Neighbourhood - Moto Turkey 08-09
- Ilko Ilchev, Bulgaria
Two trips in this huge and exotic country that cover it's main sight-seeing places: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Mira, Antalya, Duden waterfall, Kekova underwater city, Oludeniz, Bodrum, Efes, Kuskayasi Road Monument, Amasra, Sinop - birthplace of philosopher Diogen, The walls of Sinop, Trabzon, Dogubayazid, Ararat Mountain, Ishak Pasha Palace, Van lake, Mount Nemrut, Black Sea coast, Mediterranean Sea coast, Aegean Sea coast, Marmara Sea, Narrow roads, Exotic places, Incredible views!
- Ilko Ilchev, Bulgaria
- The Achievable Dream
- Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
Learn from Horizons Unlimited's founders and 11 year round-the-world veterans how to find out everything you need to know to ride to the next country or the next continent. Sound scary? Get the inspiration and information so YOU can hit the road!
- Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
- Your NEW bike doesn't fit you!
- Grant Johnson
Ergonomics! When you pickup your new bike, did they take the time to make it fit you? You'll learn the amazing difference a properly setup bike makes to your riding fun.
- Grant Johnson
- Photo Composition for Travellers
- Grant Johnson, Canada
Transform your photos from boring to fabulous! We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This easy clinic will transform your motorcycle travel photos from boring to fabulous! BRING your photos on a CD or Flash Drive, max 10, and we'll critique and discuss YOUR photos - what's good, and what's not - and how they could be improved.
- Grant Johnson, Canada
- Women only
- Led by Susan Johnson; a very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! A chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around!
- Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Workshop, Grant Johnson
How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires.
- Workshop, Grant Johnson
Changing a Tyre, UK Tech session 2009
- Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!
- and more to come as we get closer to the date.
- How about you? We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and seminars - but we need volunteers to give them! Any topic you can contribute having to do with motorcycle travel, maintenance, planning etc, lasting 20 minutes or more, would be great. Please contact me here to volunteer.
To give you an idea of what we plan to have for you, here's the seminars for one of last year's Meetings:
- Every country in the world
- Peter and Kay Forwood, Australia
All 193 countries on a Harley in 13 years, the Challenges, Enjoyments and Logistics of Visiting Every Country
- Peter and Kay Forwood, Australia
- Sjaak Lucassen, Netherlands, RTW on an R1; will team up with Peter and Kay to present a unique take on travelling the world, on two very opposite - but highly successful - bikes.
- Ted Simon -
The start... Jupiters Travels, NEW film and slides
- Ted Simon, UK / USA
An expanded account of the beginning of the first journey, and much more
- Ted Simon, UK / USA
- Africa Solo: The Long Way Around
- Werner Bausenhart, Canada (Germany) in English or German
A Circumnavigation of Africa from London via Cape Town back to London. Werner will have some of his books too.
- Werner Bausenhart, Canada (Germany) in English or German
- 15.000km Down Under with 3 Triumph Tigers
- Wilco Vonk and Frank van Gerwen - TigerRaid
A story and a double DVD movie about 3 guys and 1 girl doing 15.000km in 8 weeks through the Red Centre and the West coast of Australia
- Wilco Vonk and Frank van Gerwen - TigerRaid
- The Achievable Dream
- With Enfield Diesel to Lake Aral and back
- Gerben from Holland
nearly 20.000 km in 5 Weeks -Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan
- Gerben from Holland
- Vietnam and Laos
- Peter Kongsbak, Denmark
Riding around Vietnam and Laos on a Minsk Motorcycle
- Peter Kongsbak, Denmark
- Offroad travelling and taking "Enduro" seriously
- Stephan Eichenlaub
From traveller to sport rider and back: The fascination of trying the "impossible": Riding the big KTM twin on a rally and on the Enduromania. Travel by bike, change tyres and be ready for action.
- Stephan Eichenlaub
- An Enfield in India
- Jörn Buchleitner, Germany
A quick 3 weeks on a rented Enfield through India, tips and tricks.
- Jörn Buchleitner, Germany
- Dakar Rally 2009 the easy way
- Jens Ruprecht, Germany
Argentina/Chile and the Dakar Rally 2009 on a 125cc Suzuki
- Jens Ruprecht, Germany
- Morocco: safe, exciting and inexpensive
- Tim Cullis, UK
Overview and hidden/special places (NOTE: Friday night only)
- Tim Cullis, UK
- Panel - volunteers please!
- How to get someone of the opposite sex to go travelling with you - panel and discussion. Why is it so hard? What are you doing wrong - or right? All viewpoints please!
- Women only
- a very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! A chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around!
- Doris Wiedemann will lead the session, with an introduction into travelling as a woman.
- Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Workshop
How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires. Hand's on practical and tire changing contest for beginners to experts!
- Workshop
- Diesel Bike Workshop
- Peter Selzer, Germany
Interested in better fuel mileage? Find out from an expert!
- Peter Selzer, Germany
- How to write and publish your travel book!
- Jens Ruprecht, Germany
Want to get your story published and on Amazon? Jens did it, and here's how!
- Jens Ruprecht, Germany
- Photo Composition for Travellers
- Grant Johnson, Canada
The one everyone SHOULD take, but no one does... We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This easy clinic will transform your motorcycle travel photos from boring to fabulous! BRING your photos on a CD or Flash Drive, max 10, and we'll critique and discuss YOUR photos - what's good, and what's not - and how they could be improved.
- Grant Johnson, Canada
- GPS Tech clinic
- Matthias Zörcher
Friday and Saturday presentations on using a GPS
- Matthias Zörcher
- Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!
There will be slide shows and talks Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, as well as all Saturday morning and afternoon, so come early and make it a great weekend! We recommend planning on riding Friday and Sunday, and leaving time for Seminars all day Saturday.
Rideouts
Rideouts are limited to 6 or 10 people per ride, no exceptions.
All rides will be back on site at or before 5.00pm
Road Rides - details to come.
Ride 1 on Saturday is to an old monastery and a couple of other sites in the mountains, also maps will be available to do it yourself. Very nice riding, about a 100km loop, or less if desired.
Off-road - we could use some help - any ideas, locations, routes, off-road tracks?
The cost of going on any ride is included in the registration fee.
All rides are "register on the day." There will be signup sheets for each ride posted the evening before. First in best dressed.
Travel Equipment Vendors
We're looking for Travel Equipment vendors to come and display your products, and sell as well. Please contact Grant.
Camping
Camping is INCLUDED in your registration fee.
Schedule will be posted here when it's ready...
...so check back and plan what you want to see. The schedule is subject to change, so don't hold our feet to the fire - stuff happens! But we will try very hard to ensure that it goes off as planned. Check the latest schedule to be posted at the meeting on the day.
All times - and everything - approximate! 
An up-to-date schedule will be posted at the Meeting.
Thursday
CHECK-IN and sign up! You MUST be registered to go on a ride or for entry to any events, seminars etc.
Friday
08:00 - Breakfast, all morning, €4
CHECK-IN and sign up! You MUST be registered to go on a ride or entry to any events, seminars etc.
09:00 Ride briefing. Be gassed up and ready to ride if you're going.
Friday dinner
Typical local Bulgarian meals, only €5!
Friday night
19:00 sharp: Speakers presentations, so be sure you've eaten early!
Saturday morning
8:00 - Breakfast, all morning, €4
8:30 - 9:00 Late Check-in.
9:00 Ride briefing. Be fueled up and ready to ride if you're going.
Saturday Lunch
From 11:30, served all day. Payable to the venue on the day. Range of specials from the blackboard served all day, various excellent prices. Vegetarian meals available.
Saturday afternoon,
Rideouts - details here if you're riding on your own.
On road runs - we'll post a sheet of paper up for you to add your name to a destination, volunteers to lead appreciated!
Tech Seminar, details to come. If you want to volunteer to lead a seminar or breakout session, on any appropriate topic, please contact us. We have had lots of interest in seminars, ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, on subjects from GPS to packing lists to tire changing.
Saturday, dinner
Typical local Bulgarian meals, only €5!
19:00 sharp:
Speakers presentations
21:00 (not sharp) - Door prizes - you have to be there to win!
Sunday
Breakfast served from 8:00, €4
Miscellaneous notes:
Organizers will be there most of Thursday, hopefully Wednesday evening, if anyone wishes to arrive early and just hang out or go for a ride in the area. There is no problem arriving even a couple of days early, our hosts will be happy to see you and feed you, and camping is free. Please LET US KNOW you will be arriving early.
Pre-Register and save €10!
- Register and PAY before 25 June, entry fee is €25. Includes admission to all slide shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and Sunday am, and other events during the day Friday and Saturday. Camping is also included in your entry fee for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. If you arrive early there is generally no problem finding a spot to camp, no charge. Just eat there and they're happy! Accommodation (other than camping), and meals are NOT included.
- At the door, admission is €35.
How to Pay
Please PRE-BOOK by filling in the form below and click the "Count me in" button below it. NOTE: Use one form per person!
Option 1. Pay by PayPal
a. You will shortly receive an e-mail confirmation. Check to ensure the details are correct. If you don't receive an e-mail confirmation within a few minutes, it means your e-mail address wasn't correct, (or the Internet has eaten your e-mail). Try again. A human being will actually get a copy of the e-mail, and we promise we won't sign you up multiple times. ;-)
b. After you have filled in the form and submitted it, you will have an opportunity to pay by
. Please be careful calculating the amount, the form isn't that smart yet!
OR:
Option 2. Pay by cheque
a. You will shortly receive an e-mail confirmation. Check to ensure the details are correct. If you don't receive an e-mail confirmation within a few minutes, it means your e-mail address wasn't correct, (or the Internet has eaten your e-mail). Try again. A human being will actually get a copy of the e-mail, and we promise we won't sign you up multiple times. ;-)
b. PRINT THAT EMAIL (or write out the important bits by hand if you don't have a printer) and MAIL it with a cheque for € Euros OR £, made payable to Grant Johnson, and mail to:
Please use the Canadian address.
Pre-Registration is now closed, but you can still arrive at the Meeting and pay then.
Membership - Show you're proud to be a Horizons Unlimited Traveller!
Just to clarify the membership situation: Currently there is no requirement to be a member to access the website, the HUBB or to receive the monthly e-zine. For now, 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.
We will also upgrade your status in the HUBB to Contributing or Gold Member. In addition to recognising your contribution through your status, this will allow you to upload a custom profile picture and custom avatar, store more private messages, upload more pictures, add events to the calendar and create polls.
If you wish to buy a t-shirt, mug, fleece jacket or other Horizons logo product from the Souk, you can purchase Member or Gold Member logo products at the basic price. Just let us know and we can arrange access to the Members Private Store.
Note that new Memberships with your Meeting Registration are applied as of the Meeting date or as soon as possible thereafter, not earlier, unless you make a special request in the Comments box when you register.
T-Shirt Deal
Cotton: Top quality heavy cotton t-shirts in black or grey.
Synthetic: (Dri-Fit) t-shirts are in a beautifully made wicking material, and make great travel / riding t-shirts as well as all-round wear t-shirts. Available in a variety of colours at most meetings, and always black or grey. The order section will list the colours available.
Note that we will have a very few t-shirts extra at each meeting, but very limited - we can't carry many! So please pre-order and pay in advance so you can be sure of getting what you want.
2012 Tshirt slogan "The open road is calling, and I have a world to ride!"
Back:
(large, full back)
Front:
You can help!
If you have a few minutes, please download the poster (Adobe pdf format) and print off a few and hand them round your club or your local bike shop or anywhere seems like a good place.
(You may need to right click and choose "save target as...")
Poster in pdf format, English (886kb) full colour Event poster.
Thanks for the help!
The Meeting Location
Motocamp Bulgaria, in Idilevo, Bulgaria
"Moto Camp is located in Idilevo, a small village only 15 km from the small town of Sevlievo, and 35 km. from the beautiful historical city Veliko Tarnovo. It's easy to find, just take the highway Sofia-Varna, but at the same time it is private, hidden in the lap of the Balkan Mountains, far from the madness of the daily round. It looks like time stopped here more than 100 years ago. Beautiful wild nature, less than 200 people. The village is surrounded by big and small hills, many small streams, a beautiful lake good for fishing, many forest tracks with incredible views and places for picnics. Wild fruits - forest strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mushrooms and many wholesome herbs growing in the meadows around the town."
Lots of photos and information at Motocamp Bulgaria's website.
GPS coordinates: N 43 02.238 E 025 14.951
Getting There - GPS, Maps
GPS-Coordinates: N 43 02.238 E 025 14.951
If you have any links or details for the area please let us know.
Other Accommodation Possibilities
There are 11 beds in the hotel, and more rooms very nearby. €10 per person per night. There's also a couple of apartments for rent in the village at good prices, ideal for couples, and hotels 15km away. No problem for somewhere to sleep, but do register early, and to get your choice.
If you have any other accommodation information for the area please let us know.
Information about the area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaria
http://www.travel-bulgaria.com/content/explore_bulgaria.shtml
http://www.etar.org/index-en.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipka_Pass
http://www.visittobulgaria.com/visit/Dir.asp?d=0-4-Museum_Towns-Tryavna
http://dryanovomonastery.hit.bg/english.htm
http://www.bg-tourism.com/eng/ttourism-info.php?id=13&t=5
If you have any links or details for the area please let us know.
Local Hosts
Doug and Poly are the lead organizers of this event. A big thanks to them for volunteering to bring Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings to Bulgaria, and all their hard work!
If you have any questions, contact with rideout registration, vendor, venue and speakers questions.
See you at a meeting this year!
Grant and Susan