HU Travellers Meeting Perth 2015

Tony Friday Magical Mauritania - w.t.f. is it, and w.t.f would you want to go there?

Come along for an interesting insight into one of the strangest lands on the planet. A country that is not officially recognised as a country; where up to 20% of the population live within the legal definition of slavery; and where big is beautiful and stretch marks are sexy. A place where a six month UN resolution has taken twenty years, seven million landlines lie in wait, and where the international community has forgotten about the plight of the Sawhari people. Despite all of this, Mauritania offers truly stunning landscapes, and has a rich culture that is a blend of Arab Berber and black Africans. It is an opportunity for the adventure motorcyclist to get completely 'off the grid' and outside the reach of any modern conveniences.

With more than two decades international riding experience, Tony Friday has taken groups of riders through more than seventy countries; across the Sahara Desert, through war zones, and even up the side of an active volcano. His travel blog reaches in excess of 20,000 readers each year.

Ty Middleton France to Mauritania on the west coast of Africa!

Ty has just returned from riding the west coast of Africa, France to Mauritania. Lots of stories to tell!

This session is focused on enjoying the Journey not the destination, some tips and tricks to give you the confidence to Get Out There and Just Do It!

Ty Middleton is a retired Air force Maintenance Engineer of 21 years. Ty has a burning passion for adventure riding. His second love is sports bikes and regularly flaunts the rules on his Hayabusa. He has many a story to tell about his military career working on battlefield helicopters and fast jets, to put it in his word, rooted, shooted and electrocuted.

His passion for riding bikes has lasted for nearly 30 yrs and the last 6 years as an international adventure rider. He has ridden in India, Nepal, Central America, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Western Europe.

Ralph Weiss Riding through outback Australia

A dash across central Australia on a modern liter class adventure bike with a gentle side track down memory lane to a time when a 250cc 2 stroke served just as well.

My most recent trip and subject of my talk, a 4 week dash across central Australia chasing as much dirt as possible and learning that 200 kg, 100 bhp and sand make for some very interesting riding experiences. Also enjoyed the beautiful expanse and solitude of the Australian outback, fabulous scenery, interesting characters, 1000 kms of dirt roads and tracks and discovered that 0.002 kg saved by not carrying that extra set of underwear, probably wasn't worth it.

Ralph is an indefatigable dreamer suffering the usual ailments of middle age including suspected but undiagnosed mid-life crisis. Supported by a way too patient wife and three bemused and slightly alarmed daughters, revisiting motorcycles after a long hiatus and learning, repeatedly, how to pick one up. Adventure rider status – enthusiastic amateur grabbing time for the odd trip into the Australian outback between family and work responsibilities.

Steven Kirk Perth to Perth and Perth to Peru via Alaska and Argentina

Perth Scotland through 19 countries and 28,600 km across Europe, Asia and finishing in Perth WA.

"I'm now at an age where I don't care too much about work as its only there to pay for my adventures and beer... or preferably wine. It was on such a wine tasting excursion to my fridge one night that got to thinking about such things as... how difficult was it for the pioneers who first came to Australia. How hard would it be to go overland and other such nonsense. My third glass of Sauvignon blanc produced a great idea. Why not take a trip from Perth to Perth on a Triumph Tiger of course.

Then I woke up next day and realised it was a plan and everyone knew..."

At the Ace Cafe in London, UK

Perth to Peru via Alaska and Argentina

Following on from the his UK to Australia trip, Steven recently completed one of the favourite rides in the world, Alaska to Argentina. Starting in Prudhoe Bay at the very far North of USA, Steven zig zags his way down the Americas before ending up in Uruguay. Filming the trip for TV he is currently working on completion of a 90min film of the adventure. Extracts of this and previous TV series "Perth to Perth" shall be some of the topics he will cover at the HUBB meeting.

John Lizamore Golden moments from the Goldfields - Some of the rides, destinations and features the Goldfields of WA has to offer

The Goldfields of Western Australia makes for excellent touring. Not only does it class as being remote (leave your cell- no reception anyway), but its easy access. Yes, its hot. Yes, there's flies. But there are so much more. From rugged landscapes to cultural heritage- there's always something new to find.

From unique flora on the banded ironstone, to eating sandalwood nuts whilst listening to bellbirds next to gnamma hole, or simply looking for a swimming hole to beat the heat of the day.

Step out- you might even find more than just a golden moment!

Introducing the not so boring Nullarbor!

The treeless plain that spans a distance of over 2000km between the civilization of WA and SA. Most often described in travel blogs as "boring" and "endless". Not so!!!

Part of the ancient marine floor, the plain is home to much wildlife, hundreds of karst caves, spectacular vistas, scattered ruins and much stranger things. For the willing traveler that will brave the isolation, the plain is life-changing. Sten Larson from Norway had only one word to describe our 1st night on the plain: "Wow!"

Never the same as the last time you visited it, but always spectacular. I'll talk through some of the sites and places (and tracks) the Nullarbor has to offer, including Telegraph road, Kunalda station, Abrakurrie cave, Old coach road, Old Eyre highway, Thampana blowhole, the Bight and more. John has toured Southern parts of Africa, Suisse, North Island of New Zealand and Australia. "We have some of the best riding on our doorstep, but people choose to stay on the ringroad, and miss all the good stuff."

Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited How it all began. The story of Grant and Susan's 11-year trip around the world, without a plan or a clue!

Way back in 1987, before the Internet, two young and naive Canadians set out from Vancouver to ride around the world on a motorcycle. The plan (and budget) was for 3 years, but it didn't quite work out that way!

Grant crossing a river on a pipe bridge in Peru

11+ years later, they finally made it, through 50 countries - Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia, North and South America, with a side trip to Antarctica! Hundreds of great pics and some amazing stories!

Nat Crewe First Aid for Motorcyclists - What to take and how to use it. Some tips on the best preparation for the worst case scenario.

I'll give a little chat on prepping a first aid kit for medium to long trips, but also touch on the weekend bag too. I'll discuss some ideas and tricks that help to maximise the use of certain everyday items that we carry already as well as going over some basic first aid principles that can be used in all types of situations. I'll highlight some products that exist already as well as ways of making your very own kits. If the worst should happen to the solo traveller, I'll highlight some tips that will make their chances of being treated properly and early as high as possible.

I'm a remote area paramedic with metro, industrial and remote experience spanning the last 7 years. Before that I was a bit of a world traveler, some of it by motorcycle. My longest trip was a solo venture from Northern Alaska to Southern Argentina. I currently live in Perth and still have a bike in my garage!

Ivan Smoljko, Bikes Abroad Guide to shipping your bike overseas

This presentation will provide in depth information regarding arranging the shipping of your motorbike overseas and will cover crating/export paperwork and formalities to clearance at destination and best mode of shipping available to suit your budget/time frame & marine insurance options

Ivan Smoljko has seen his passion for motorbikes become his profession. After working 20+ years in the freight forwarding industry he was asked to clear some incoming motorbikes.
Shipping 5 motorbikes soon became 50 within 6 months & Bikes Abroad was established - a shipping company specifically geared up to take care of the growing motorbike shipping market.

Tony Friday Being a Short Break Adventurer

Tony Friday has mastered the art of balancing a professional career with a passion for motorcycle adventure. By day, he serves as a government CEO, and has a portfolio of directorships spanning corporate advisory, property investment, disability services and contemporary theatre.

Once the suit comes off though, he is a dedicated motorcycle adventure traveller and adrenalin junkie. He has raced jet boats, surfed a volcano in Nicaragua, barreled down an Olympic bobsled track in Latvia, stayed as the guest of an African king, and visited more than sixty countries over the past few decades whilst on short-break motorcycle adventures.

Tony's HUBB session is all about being a short-break adventurer; balancing 9 to 5 with feeling alive. Using a couple of example adventures that you could book tomorrow, he will talk you through the process of exchanging less than a thousand dollars for an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life (and he's not talking about an Elvis wedding in Vegas to that 'waitress' you met last night).

You will leave this session equipped with the knowledge and tools to efficiently organise your own short break motorcycle adventure any time you choose. He will also provide you with access to his secret squirrel tools for securing cheap flights and accommodation, and for getting someone else to do most of the hard work for you. The most difficult part will be choosing the destination.

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Fix that flat! How to change a tyre anytime, anywhere!

Grant's tyre changing seminars are always well attended and appreciated. This seminar covers: 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; hands-on practical for beginners to experts, optional tyre changing contest.

Grant's tyre changing seminar at HU California meeting.

Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited 4 Easy Steps to Overland Travel! You can do it - we can help! Finding your way around Horizons Unlimited, other resources. Lots of great pics and video clips.

"Grant and Susan Johnson are icons in the round-the-world (RTW) motorcycling community. The Johnsons host - or more appropriately write, edit, produce, manage and coordinate Horizons Unlimited - a global network of motorcycle travelers... and a bona fide adventure motorcycling phenomenon." Dan Hilton, Rider Magazine

This seminar will be an overview of 'How To' travel overland topics. Includes content from the Achievable Dream series and great pics from HU Photo Contest winners!

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Bike mods and ergonomics!

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.

Ergonomics demonstration at HU Canada West meeting.