HU Travellers Meeting Canwest 2024

Lorry Gombos, Outback Motortek Two-Up Through Central Asia East-to-west direction on a Suzuki VStrom 650 via the magical Pamir Highway.

Inspired by the Long Way Round and a few more similar journeys, we had decided to wrap up our teaching jobs in Taiwan and bought a motorcycle on the other side of the world just to get it shipped to somewhere in Asia. The road to getting our bike sorted and establishing a route was rough and full of ups and downs, as a true adventure should be. It turned into a two months' journey and an experience that taught us more than we had expected.

Chat more with Lorry and check out the Outback Motortek exhibitor's booth.

We are former moto nomads having explored various parts of the planet. Most notably, central Asia besides a few other parts of the world such as the Balkan and Turkiye, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, and North America.

Janet Wilson and Tom Feuchtwanger Dare to Chase Dreams and Travel the World Insights and lessons from 96+ countries. How to define your goals, outline your plan, and make it happen to achieve success and manage failures.

We set off, overlanding 80,000 km across Africa. An adventure that was a test of our grit, skill, and sheer determination. In the face of adversity, we found strength we never knew we possessed. Our journey across Africa was a physical odyssey and a journey of self-discovery, pushing us beyond our limits and forging bonds that would last a lifetime. And as we pressed onward, navigating the wilds with nothing but our wits and Land Cruiser, we knew that no challenge was too great, no terrain too daunting. In the heart of adventure, anything is possible, even every traveller's worst nightmare.

JANET WILSON is a South African-born author and adventurer with a passion for Africa's wilderness, wildlife, and diverse cultures. Together with husband, TOM FEUCHTWANGER, they've completed three extensive overland travels around Africa in a Land Cruiser. They also drove from Alaska to Argentina. Overlanding is the way to discover and explore the world.

Micko O'Byrne What to Do When It All Goes to S+%T / East Timor, Indonesia and Borneo / Cross-Cultural Issues You WILL Encounter

1) What to Do When It All Goes to S+%T
Dealing with unexpected challenges, broken bike (or you), lost passports, and more.

Having had passports stolen in China, being locked in a customs compound for several days in Western Mongolia, and having bikes and bones broken in very remote places, Micko can give good advice on how to overcome some of these challenges while still maintaining your sense of humour. Many experiences of unexpected delays and issues in his 55+ years of travel taught Micko how to keep on keeping on and to continue having FUN. This presentation will have lots of stories, some of them will be true. Come for a laugh and you just might learn something useful!

2) East Timor, Indonesia, and Borneo
Far east Indonesia. The most fun you can have with your clothes on.

A journey through the magical "Spice Islands" of Indonesia and Borneo. Dealing with Indonesian bureaucracy and the delights of the Eastern Islands beyond Bali. The issues of traveling in the tropics on ferries that often sink and other fun topics.

3) Cross-Cultural Issues You WILL Encounter
How to cope in different cultural norms, and what NOT to do.

Worldwide travel will have you encountering many different cultures. How you deal with them can make or break your experience. Learn a few good general tips as well as specific issues to avoid. Making meaningful contacts with people who don't speak your language. Dealing with helpful "fixers" and avoiding scammers. Leaving some good will behind.

MICKO O'BYRNE is an Australian who has been doing overland motorcycle trips since 1974 and has traveled to over 70 countries. He lives in remote rural South Africa and is currently on a solo trip from Ushuaia to Alaska.

Maria Schumacher, Coddiwomplers On Guided Tours and Getting Published / Travelling in Venezuela and Bolivia?

1. On Guided Tours and Getting Published
Writing for magazines led me to take part in a fully guided tour of Ecuador. So what was that like? And how do you get published?

Normally we travel under our own steam, but when the chance came up to take part in a fully guided tour around Ecuador, in exchange for writing about it for a couple of magazines, I just had to give it a go. There are some profound differences to traveling by yourself as opposed to taking part in a tour. By yourself, you are the designer of your own journey. But what is it like to join a guided tour? Ecuador was the perfect country for this experiment since it is a small country, but it packs a lot of punch! All of this wouldn't have been possible, if I hadn't been a regular contributor to some motorcycle magazines. I'm no expert journalist by any means, but I'll share a few tips on how to get your stories published.

2. Travelling in Venezuela and Bolivia?
There seem to be many unanswered questions about travelling in these countries, so here are a few tips and recent experiences.

Venezuela has been in an economic crisis for decades causing poverty, currency devaluation and fuel shortages. Reliable information as to safety, how to pay for things or whether we would be able to obtain fuel to keep us going, was difficult to find. Curiosity won over trepidation and the country ended up surprising us, remaining a brilliant highlight of the trip. Like in Venezuela, fuel is difficult to obtain in Bolivia; for foreigners at least. For many this is a big worry. But with patience and kindness we got enough to get us through. Just as well, because we had our minds made up to ride the Uyuni Salt Flats and the notoriously difficult Lagunas Route in Bolivia; both known to break vehicles and get people lost. But their famously breathtaking beauty lured us in and we had to try, hoping the bikes would make it. And they did. Just.

In 2012, MARIA SCHUMACHER and her partner made a plan to travel the world by motorcycle. Since then, they lead a life interrupted by travel. Or is it the other way around? Having ridden around Europe, Eurasia, India, and Australia, they are now on a journey from Canada to Argentina.

Craig Luke, I Think We Missed A Turn EPIC GPS Adventures / Packing Light for Backcountry Travel

1. EPIC GPS Adventures
Canada's new home for exploration planning.

EPIC GPS Adventures is a not-for-profit organization that passionately assembles trail networks, routes, and guidebooks for free. Three routes in BC will be immediately released, the Kootenay EPIC, the Okanagan EPIC, and the Border Patrol EPIC. More will follow quickly after this summer, including a route-building session in the Chilcotin for all of August, so come help us build the future! Craig is the in-house GPS guru and event host for the brand new non-profit EPIC GPS Adventures. Come learn about the routes already out and the new ones coming soon!

2. Packing Light for Backcountry Travel
Participate in a hands-on interactive chat about all things gear-related

There is sooooo much moto and camping equipment out there. Does that mean you need to carry all of it? Of course not! Minimalist packing isn't for everyone, but there are lots of ultralight gear available these days that can lighten the load. Strapping it all down is essential and can be a bit of a science of what to put where. We'll go through shelters and sleeping systems, cooking setups, and general camp concepts. We'll also discuss water filtration, keeping all the electronic toys charged and tool kits. I'll be there with my bike and a mountain of gear. Let's have a hands-on chat about the pros and cons of all the options!

CRAIG LUKE has been travelling and thriving in the backcountry since gradeschool in every mode of travel you can think of! Despite being passably competent on-bike, navigation and equipment systems are his happy place. He's the creator of IThinkWeMissedaTurn.com, the map guy for EPIC GPS Adventures, and gear geek extraordinaire!

Eric Waterfall, RUBY Moto [EXHIBITOR] The What and Why of Adventure Lighting Learn the fundamentals of lighting and electronics, as told through the misadventures of R&D through travel.

Check out RUBY Moto's exhibit on-site!

There are products that are designed at desks and debugged by customers. Then there are products that are born in the field, tested by engineers and laymen alike, and produced by experts in their discipline. RUBY Moto was born out of necessity: better lighting at a significantly better value. With the internet full of bad information when it comes to lighting options for motorcycles or overland vehicles, come and learn first hand the what, why, and how of lighting that can tremendously increase your experience and safety. As told through personal experiences riding and traveling around the world, this fun and relaxed presentation will help you better understand the fundamentals of lighting science, production methods and materials, and vehicle-specific lighting applications, so that you can make your own informed decisions. Ride the light!

ERIC WATERFALL travels because he can. He studies because he must. He love because he is. Husband, father of four, traveler, type-2 fun seeker, and founder of RUBY Moto. Fifty-two countries, hundreds of nights in the bush, and thousands of adventures still to come.

Denise Francoeur and Normand Fortier Ten Months Two-Up on a DR. Interested? Slowly exploring Latin America 2-up on a DR650. We took over 10 months to reach Ushuaia, Argentina, as the crow does not fly.

Travelling 2-up on a DR650, we took over 10 months to reach Ushuaia, Argentina from Vancouver, BC, as the crow does not fly. We went through 16 countries, covered well over 45,000 km, and used up six rear tires and three fronts. But it is a journey that is hard to summarize in numbers. It was at times frustrating, sometimes a bit scary, but always entertaining, and never regretting. Above all, the best part of our journey has been the people that we met along the way. Their kindness and openness toward us have been an enduring reality, everywhere we went. The presentation will offer a summary of our experience travelling in Latin America.

DENISE FRANCOEUR and NORMAND FORTIER have been travelling two-up for the past 11+ years on a variety of motorcycles ranging from 125cc (!) to 1000cc in almost 50 countries, mostly in Europe, all three Americas, but also small forays in Asia and Africa.

Sue Bossley, Adventure Pacific Moto Tours Conquering Fears: Unveiling the Soul Have you ever considered exploring Mexico on a motorcycle, but are concerned about your safety from what you hear on the news?

Have you ever considered exploring Mexico on a motorcycle? Wide-eyed stares were my usual greeting when I announced my solo recon mission for future tours. "Are you crazy?" was quickly followed by "Did you feel safe?" These are valid concerns, especially for a woman. Mexico, like many countries, faces unique challenges. However, media often amplifies negativity, creating a skewed picture. The truth though, is that I felt just as safe riding in Mexico solo as anywhere else. The experience was incredible! Mexico boasts a rich and colourful tapestry of history and culture and friendly locals add an extra layer of charm. Join me on an exciting journey beyond the stereotypes! Prepare to be surprised by hidden gems, captivated by the warmth of the Mexican people, and experience a glimpse of the Soul of Mexico firsthand.

SUE BOSSLEY (Adventure Pacific Moto Tours & Throttle West Moto Festival) is a solo rider, tour guide, moto-festival presenter, and general explorer who has traveled in over 30 countries and ridden in Canada, U.S.A., Mexico, Thailand, southeast Africa, U.K., and Canary Islands so far. Her goal is to ride "everywhere", and she is working on it!

Francis Walsh Vive Mexico! / Rwanda: the Africa You Didn't Expect

1) Vive Mexico!
Three winters of exploring Mexico with a simple plan: FIFO/MOMO Ride, store the bike, fly home, fly back, repeat.

Mexico is an amazingly beautiful and diverse country, filled with incredibly welcoming people, that often doesn't get the attention it truly deserves as many overlanders simply pass through it as a waypoint on their ride from Alaska to Ushuaia. I've been exploring Mexico for the past three winters using a simple plan: FIFO/MOMO. In the fall, I head south from Vancouver Island, riding for a month, before storing the motorcycle and flying home. A month later, I fly back south to continue my travels, repeating the cycle until spring when it's a good time to ride back to Canada. Join me as I share the grandeur of Barrancas del Cobre, the wilderness of Baja California's backroad tracks, the seductiveness of the unique cultural phenomenon Dia de Los Muertos, and the enchantment of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos. Vive Mexico!

2) Rwanda: the Africa You Didn't Expect
A February 2024 ride around Rwanda - not your stereotypical African country.

Rwanda is an African country unique in so many incredible ways. Although its small size makes it very easy to explore in just two weeks, there's a lot packed within its borders. The Land on 1000 Hills, with its national parks brimming with wildlife, verdant tea and coffee plantations throughout, and people everywhere constantly on the move carrying everything and more imaginable on their heads or their bicycles makes Rwanda visually stunning. I share my experiences travelling around Rwanda, an unbelievably beautiful country.

FRANCIS WALSH has been a "Wandering Wonderer" for 40+ years, winding his way mostly on two wheels through 70+ countries on six continents, sometimes sailing across oceans to connect the dots, driven by curiosity and a need to see things for himself.

Rene Cormier, Renedian Adventures The Pros of Solo and Tour Group Travel Why talk cons? We're travelling!!

Let's be honest, if your only decision is to explore the world by yourself or explore the world with a guided tour, you are already doing really well. Stop by to hear some compelling reasons to continue your planning and get going. Rene Cormier is well-versed to offer tips and tricks for both sides, having completed a mostly solo, 4.5-year round-the-world trip before running guided tours with Renedian Adventures around the world for the last 14 years.

RENE CORMIER completed round the world motorcycle trip in 2009, and the same year started Renedian Adventures, a guided motorcycle tour company operating in Mongolia, southern Africa, South America, and Canada. He is the author of The University of Gravel Roads: Global Lessons from a 4 Year Motorcycle Adventure.

Carrie and Glen Cullen Italy to Spain: Fall 2023 / Morocco!

1) Italy to Spain: Fall 2023
We travel from Milan into the Dolomites and then down to the south coast of Spain

We pick up our travels in Milan where Pepe, our trusty 2014 Wee Strom, is patiently waiting for us and head north into the Dolomites. From there we work our way west through the Pyrenees and then south into Spain. We meet up with friends from Canada (two different couples!) and then ride along the east coast into Andalucia. A quick run back up to Madrid where we leave Pepe until we return in the spring of 2024

2) Morocco!
One month in Morocco in the spring of 2024

Picking up Pepe our motorcycle in Madrid, we head south to meet friends and then join forces to head into Morocco for a month long tour. Hitting all the tourist traps like Fes, Marrakesh, and the like, we also find ourselves in the Atlas mountains and taking a camel ride. From there we take in the Todra and Dades Gorges, then west to the coast. We learn to navigate the Midinas and old towns along the way.

CARRIE and GLEN CULLEN started their motorcycle travelling in 2013 and, shortly after that, attended HU Canwest. Since then, they have travelled around Europe and will be going through Morocco in the spring of 2024.

Chantil and Travis Gill, Viajar Moto How Much Does Full-Time Travel Cost? / 3.5 Years in Europe and North Africa

1) How Much Does Full-Time Travel Cost?
Full-time traveling in Europe was less expensive than living in a home and raising a family. We share how much it cost us.

Full-time traveling is expensive, right? Not exactly. Travis and Chantil recently finished a 3.5-year overland tour of Europe and north Africa where they spent far less than what it cost them to live in a house in the United States and raise their family. They will share the complete cost of full-time motorcycle touring, including: accommodations, food, fuel, maintenance, ferry/parking fees, entertainment, and miscellaneous expenses. They will share their strategies for saving, budgeting, and getting the most out of a travel budget.

2) 3.5 Years in Europe and North Africa
We started a motorcycle journey of a lifetime in March 2020. After 3.5 years, 85k miles, and 53 countries, we're still loving it!

Travis and Chantil relocated to Europe for work in 2017 with nothing more than their two adventure motorcycles loaded with gear. While at their job in Germany, they realized they just couldn't travel enough with their limited vacation time, so they did what we all want to do - quit to start full-time traveling. However, their start date of March 2020 was not ideal. Despite a world-wide pandemic and the restrictions of a 90-day travel visa, they managed to ride through nearly every European country and a bit of north Africa.

They will share some of the highlights and challenges of full-time traveling over their last 3.5 years through 53 countries. They will discuss how to get insurance for a U.S. registered motorcycle, strategies for navigating the 90-day Schengen travel restrictions, and five tips for having a successful motorcycle adventure.

CHANTIL and TRAVIS GILL attended HU California 2015 where they were inspired to travel sooner than later. Since then, they've ridden most through Europe and a bit of north Africa over the past 3.5 years of full-time motorcycle overlanding. They share their adventures via UPSHIFT magazine and viajarMOTO.

Ekke Kok Round the World - One Year at a Time / Munich to Calgary, via Iceland / Kathmandu to Lhasa on a Royal Enfield

EKKE KOK is a retired engineer who has travelled to 102 countries, 100 of them by motorbike. Audrey and Ekke travelled around the world, as far north as Nordkapp and as far south as Ushuaia, as far east as Japan, and as far west as Alaska.

1) Round the World - One Year at a Time
Audrey and Ekke took four year-long leaves of absence to travel the world

After being inspired by Grant and Susan Johnson in 1998, Audrey and Ekke took four year-long leaves of absence from work over a span of 20 years. They travelled to 83 countries (plus Antarctica) and covered more than 150,000 kilometres. This presentation will cover the highlights of their travels, provide a few lessons learned with an opportunity for an interactive discussion about travel afterwards.

2) Munich to Calgary, via Iceland
Riding home from Munich, via Iceland and the Trans-Labrador Highway

After completing the ride with GlobeRiders from Muscat, Oman to Munich, Germany, Ekke had to get his bike back home to Calgary. Having used air cargo and sea freight half a dozen times to move the motorbikes from North America to Europe and back, it was time to try something a little different. A ferry from Denmark to Iceland and then sea freighting the bike from Reykjavik to Halifax was that different option. This presentation will highlight travel in Iceland and discuss some of the logistics around this trip.

3) Riding from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Lhasa, Tibet, on a Royal Enfield

Two months before departing for a trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, a Facebook post from Himalayan Motorbike Tours showed up on my feed. They had a motorbike tour leaving Kathmandu the day after the trek ended. Not one to turn down a golden opportunity, I changed the return date of my flight by a couple of weeks and signed up for the tour. From the chaos of Kathmandu to the wide open spaces of Tibet, the ride on a Royal Enfield Classic 500 was a fantastic adventure. As a bonus, after visiting Everest Base Camp in Nepal on the trek, I was able to visit Everest Base Camp in Tibet. What a study in contrasts!

Susan & Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited How It All Started The Horizons Unlimited origin story

Technically, "it" all really started with our first date in 1984. It wasn't long before we hit the road, two-up on a 1986 BMW R80GS, a couple of years later, unknowingly ending up doing a RTW (round-the-world) over the span of 11 years. At the time, websites weren't a thing yet. Like many overland travellers at the time, and there weren't that many, travelling and planning were a bit more challenging.

A lot has happened since then and we've learned and experienced a ton! Too much, in fact, to keep to ourselves. There's a world to explore, and people and cultures to befriend... and Horizons Unlimited evolved to what it is now with a global network of HU Communities that connect fellow travellers and emerging adventurers just like you. This is our story.

For those who don't know us yet, we are GRANT and SUSAN JOHNSON. We founded Horizons Unlimited in 1997 while we were on our 11-year, north-to-south around-the-world trip, visiting over 40 countries. Since then, we've been helping folks to achieve their dreams of overland travel to faraway places. Horizons Unlimited has become the global home of motorcycle travel, a worldwide network of travellers helping other travellers.

Adam Lund First Aid & Med Planning for Moto Travel A practical approach, including hands-on kit show-and-tell and Q&A.

DR. ADAM LUND is an emergency physician with passion for 'playing outside'. He has planned and provided mobile first aid and medical care in many environments, including: medical moto for triathlons, cycling, and running events; building medical teams for adventure races and music festivals; cruise ship doctor; and a ski and downhill bike park patroller.

First aid and medical planning for motorcycle (or overland) travel begins with a personalized Risk Assessment. This permits you to customize the real needs of you and your travel partners, considering the actual trip you are going to take. We will work through an interactive planning approach and a take-away checklist/conversation guide that you can use and adapt to your next big adventure.

When it comes to first aid kits, there are many options on the market, including the option to build your own. We all know that space and weight are big considerations, particularly on a motorcycle. We will overview, and then take apart, a range of kits from minimalist through to 'pretty big'. Let's open up the packages and see what's actually in there, and chat about how you'd actually use that thing! We'll finish up with open Q&A to share your real-life experiences and concerns.

Ryan Austin, Enduro Park Canada Riding & Surviving / Off-Road Skills Training - Learn to Ride Like the Pros

RYAN AUSTIN is the owner of Enduro Park Canada, Certified BMW Off-Road Instructor, BMW Tourguide, and Master Police Motorcycle Instructor.

1) Riding & Surviving
Advanced riding techniques, police motorcycle operations + training, and 30 years of major collision investigations

Seminar about Advanced Training techniques, Police Motorcycle operations & training, and 30 years of major collision investigations with Sgt Ryan Austin (Ret.). This action-packed talk covers collision causation, advanced training techniques used by Police motorcycle operators, Motorcycle VIP escort team operation videos, and real world tips to make your riding safer and more enjoyable.

2) Off-Road Skills Training - Learn to Ride Like the Pros
(PRE-REGISTRATION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)

Returning to HU CanWest 2024 are three of Canada's top BMW-certified Off-Road Instructors. Owner Sgt Ryan Austin (Ret.) and Jim Sprang will be on-site giving riders training and talks on the Adventure of Off-Road riding! Learn from Canada's only full-time BMW Off-Road training company. Introduction to Off-Road and Advanced Rider courses.

Some sessions are free; active rider training is paid sessions. More details below.

Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Four Easy Steps to Motorcycle Adventure Travel You can do it; we can help!

We know lots of those travellers, people who have done amazing trips to every country in the world, too. We asked these veteran travellers to tell us their stories and share their tips with us. The main message is that you don't have to be rich or famous or young or heroic or super-fit to travel. Anyone can do it, and we're here to tell you how!

Get Ready // Gear Up // Get on the Road // Come home and plan your next trip!

It can be that easy. We will share some stories and tips from other travellers, and also tell you some things that we learned from our travels, in many cases the hard way. It's how we created the Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Adventure Travel Guide video series - available only on Vimeo. There's also lots of great pics from our calendar contest.

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Bike Mods and Ergonomics! Tire Changing!

Grant will host a bike 'Show and Tell' - bring your bike and show us your favorite travel mods. Critique and discussion.

When you picked up 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. Maybe you're already feeling knots and kinks in your muscles after a long ride? It may not be you. It could be your bike!

Grant's ever-popular "Bike Ergonomics" demonstration at an HU Travellers Meeting.

Tire Changing Workshop

Grant demystifies the dark art of tires. Considering the fact you really can't rock'n'ROLL without tires on your travels, you don't want to miss this workshop. This session is absolutely perfect if you're newer to riding motorcyles or a bit nervous about travelling because flat tires give you the willies. The only time Grant likes using the word "conquered" for travel is when you deal with tires. :)

By the way, HU's TIRE CHANGING! instructional video can be purchased and streamed anywhere from Vimeo. Keep on practicing along with Grant in the comfort of your own home shop.

Grant's even-more-popular "Tire Changing Workshop at an HU Travellers Meeting.

LOTS of presentations to come! As people register to present we'll list them here.

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 us here to volunteer.