HU Travellers Meeting Germany-Summer 2015

Dylan Samarawickrama When the road ends - Beating the Darien Gap on a Boatercycle

Then you arrive at a point where there is no road to continue. Between Panama and Colombia, there is one of the most dense jungles of this planet: The Darien! Stretching from the Pacific coast from the West to the Atlantic coast on the East, the Darien is home to many different groups of guerrilla fighters, drug smugglers and randomly scattered but notorious tribal groups which makes it to one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on Earth.

A perfect challenge for Dylan! As the first man ever he sails, solo, 650km around Darien, on the Pacific Ocean from Panama into Colombia on a self-built raft propelled by a motorcycle and experiences one of a kind adventure! A journey that is not only takes him across country borders but also tests his personal limits.

Constant break downs, storms, currents and zero sailing experience were some of the challenges of his incredible journey. When things go from bad to worse, dolphins come to his rescue! Watch the video excerpt of his trip.

Dylan Samarawickrama has travelled around the world for three and half years and modestly says he has 'done some interesting adventures'.

Dylan's book 'Am Ende der Strasse' has now been published in German, the English version 'When the Road Ends' is promised for this year! Ask him to autograph your copy at the meeting!

Jim Sherry UK to Dakar, one rider, one cylinder!

First Solo ride in Africa, UK to Dakar and Gambia and return, including 4,000km of the Sahara, on BMW 650.

With 6 weeks free in October/November, I needed a destination for an adventurous round trip. For me the answer was Dakar, all in, around 6,000 miles (10,000 km). Still new to the overland travelling game this would be my second solo trip, after a ride down to Turkey the year before on my R1200GS, visiting Istanbul, skirting the Syrian border, returning via Gallipoli and Greece. Africa would be different, I'd be swapping the autobahns of Europe with the coastal road through the Sahara. The border crossings would be more challenging and may include the notorious Rosso! Of course I may not even get that far, as a case of Ebola was being monitored in Dakar as I prepared, and it may be the start of an epademic in Senegal.

With some reluctance I decided to leave the trusty R1200GS in the garage and take the G650 XCounty. The XCountry was lighter and more nimble, qualities I may need on African roads. Not many of these bikes have been used for long overland trips but I felt with modification it could work and the trusty 650 Rotax engine had a great pedigree. The first issue was the 9.5l petrol tank, not perfect for Moritania where fuel stations can be 300miles (500km) apart. Suspension and subframe needed to be upgraded, etc. Then the rider required a service with a healthcheck, innoculations and improving fitness. Maps, routes, visas required planning. For this planning the HUBB was a great source of up to date information. So how did it go, well you will have to come to the presentation!

Jim says: "I was a novice overland biker in 2009, riding with 20 others from UK to Croatia. Groups have been smaller since and my ride to Turkey 2013 and Senegal and Gambia 2014, have been solo. You learn a lot about yourself riding solo across the Sahara, with the yellow fuel light on..."

Claudio Gnypek and Sonja Ritter Jalan-Jalan Sumatra - Eine Motorradreise auf Sumatra / Indonesien

Sonja und Claudio reisten quer durch Sumatra auf zwei landestypischen Mopeds. Sie lernten die Menschen vom Batak-Volk kennen, sahen wie die Kaffeebauern arbeiten, übernachteten im Regenwald und verirrten sich in den Bergen. Ihre Erlebnisse hielten sie nicht nur in Fotos, sondern auch als Töne fest, die sie für ihre Radiosendung "PegasoReise" aufzeichneten. Diese Reisereportage wird ergänzt mit den Klängen, Dialogen und Interviews, die auf der Tour entstanden. Ein Abenteuer zum Sehen und Hören. Mehr dazu auf www.pegasoreise.de

Jalan-Jalan Sumatra - An adventure with pictures and sounds

Sonja and Claudio traveled through Sumatra on two small typical motorbikes. They met wonderful people and learned to know the life of the Batak tribe. But chaotic traffic, exotic landscapes and great encounters also belong to this adventure. With a microphone they took on the atmosphere, voices and conversations of the trip. In their presentation, 'Jalan-jalan Sumatra' they show not only photos but also the sounds of the trip.

Here is a trailer of the presentation.

We (Sonja & Claudio) love to travel and we love to talk about travels. For this we run a radio show called PEGASOREISE. Once a month we produce a podcast, on which you can listen to the stories on the road.

Ron Youngs Wyoming to Alaska's Arctic Ocean

Riding a motorcycle from Wyoming through Yellowstone Park and along Albert's Ice Field Parkway, one sees bears, bison, moose, caribou, Big Horn Sheep, glaciers, and spectacular scenery around every bend.

In this presentation we will visit the famous "Dust to Dawson" motorcycle event in Canada's Yukon Territory; ride the infamous "Ice Road Truckers" highway to the Arctic Ocean; See Killer Whales and calving glaciers in Glacier Bay; take the beautiful ferry ride through Alaska's Inland Waterway; and visit the the Indians of British Columbia where we can marvel at their Totem Poles and Seal Houses.

Ron says: "In a lifetime of adventures, I have become a private pilot, a licensed small boat sailor, a scuba diver, a class 5 whitewater kayaker, a mountain climber and a world explorer. Having enjoyed a long and rewarding career teaching biology, physics, geography and geology, I have a deep passion for mountains, wildlife and nature. You can see some of this reverence for nature in my presentation of my motorcycle trip from Wyoming to Alaska's Arctic Ocean."

Shu Liang & Quirien Wijnberg, Dos Chinos Iran & Turkey - Different aspects of riding through Iran & Turkey

We enter Iran through the backdoor; arriving by boat from the UAE and started our overland journey there. It was a great way to start and we had many wonderful experiences, met warm people and enjoyed the great vistas of both countries. This presentation highlights a few of those experiences.

Vince and Karen Partridge Aussies Abroad! and Riding in Australia - the real story!

Aussie's Abroad! Dream it... Live it... Ride it!

Vince and Karen Partridge's 12 month Honeymoon - so far they are still together! How do two Australian Public Servants come to suddenly get married, take 12 months leave without pay and travel the world on their motorbike as a honeymoon?

Hear how, just over a year ago, their passion for riding brought them together through the Perth Motorcycle and Sidecar Riders meet up group (That Vince founded) how they fell in love and decided to make their riding dreams come true. How they got inspired, got ready, geared up, are currently on the road and how they connect! How they Dream it... Live it... Ride it!

Riding in Australia - the real story!

We come from the Land Down Under! Australia yarns and tall tales of genuine firsthand outback adventures in the Australian bush, including the depth and breadth of the kind of riding available in this beautiful country.

Vince and Karen will share with you their experiences as both a rider and pillion and the wide variety of climate and roads to excite and tantalise you. See some awesome photographs, hear stories and get answers to all those questions you were afraid to ask and the travel agents never tell you. Come and get inspired... you will never, never know... if you never, never go!

Vince and Karen organise the Perth Motorcycle and Sidecar Riders Meetup group in Western Australia with over 570 members and ride regularly all over WA. They have been inspired by HU and wanted to travel overseas by motorbike. They have already had a few OS rides with hire bikes but this is the first time they have brought their own ANIMAL (BMW R1200 GSA). They were just married on 1.1.2015 and will be setting out on a 12 month honeymoon from the UK back to Perth on the ANIMAL.

Shu Liang & Quirien Wijnberg, Dos Chinos A non-mechanic's RTW-trip and Top 3 Annoyances - A pillion's perspective

Quirien Wijnberg (Q) - A non-mechanic's RTW-trip - How we dealt with mechanical problems during our trip

We are by no means mechanics, but we did end up doing a 14-month overland journey with several small and some larger mechanical challenges. Here's how we dealt with these challenges. I will also show the toolkit that I assembled for our 14-month journey and how I used those tools.

Shu Liang - Top 3 Annoyances - A pillion's perspective

To share the not-so-glorious aspects of an extended motorcycle trip from a pillion's perspective.

Some wise man once said, 'Be master of your petty annoyances and conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out - it's the grain of sand in your shoe.' So here I am, after a 14-months' motorcycle trip with my husband, with a good few pairs of worn-out shoes in my hands, ready to share my grains of sand with you.

Juri Klusak Towing - two bikes, one engine

Ever broke down in the middle of nowhere with no way of fixing? If you're with a buddy, towing bike by bike is the way out.

After getting stuck on a Laotian dirt track last year, having to tow bike to bike for two hours on dirt in the dark and then towing over 100k to the next city, our so far basic towing abilities had to improve rapidly. Having towed about 200k on part of our RTW trip, we'd like to share what we've learnt, see how you address the issue and discuss the pros and cons of different techniques.

Towing is an awkward way of riding your bike, but practice and know-how can save your day - or even more. This workshop will start with a short introduction, video footage and a bit of theory basics and then give a demonstration of towing "peg to peg". You can bring your own bike and give it a go, to get a feel for it and help if needed.

We believe that everyone riding as a team should be able to tow each other - so get a rope and practice!

Juri says: "I am 26, study geography in Kiel. Travelled a month on an old Heinkel Tourist scooter through Norway in 2011 and spent the last 20 months on the road attempting an RTW - then my Mom got a heart attack and I had to return prematurely from Malaysia. I am quite into photography and luckily could get a bunch of sponsors for my trips - travelling is not easy at 600€ a month... My website is currently being rebuilt, if you like check out my pictures on Flicker.

More to come...

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 sign up here.

Border crossings - How to get through borders with minimal stress and cost!

Packing light - Tips and techniques from experienced travellers to reduce weight and bulk.

Regional discussions - e.g. travelling in South America or Asia.

For Women Only - 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!

Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!

Walk arounds / Show and tell!

Tents and Bedding discussion (in the camping area) - What works, cheap vs dear and which ones keep you dry, warm and comfy!

Bike mods - Show off your best bike mods - homemade saddle bags, toolbox mounts, GPS mounts, seats, side stands, tank panniers, cup holders, etc.