HU Travellers Meeting North Carolina 2014

THE PREMIER OVERLAND ADVENTURE TRAVEL EVENT FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting

Thursday Sep 4 - Saturday Sep 6, 2014 - Stecoah, North Carolina

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It's All About Overland Adventure

Whether you're a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice hungry for ideas and guidance, it doesn't matter if you ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, or drive an expedition vehicle...

Horizons Unlimited meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled.

Horizons Unlimited North Carolina Event Schedule

The event is taking place from Thursday, Sep 4 to Saturday, Sep 6, 2014.

The Registration Tent will open for check-ins at 1 pm on Thursday, Sep 4, with the first presentations beginning at 6 pm. Last presentations will be Saturday night.

There will be slide shows and tech clinics on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and all day Saturday. Come early and make it a great weekend! We recommend riding on Thursday and Sunday, and participating in the presentations and clinics in the evenings, Friday and Saturday.

As well as hearing inspiring stories of overlanding adventure from around the world, you'll get the low-down on preparing for your journey, navigation, first-aid, photography, filming and a host of other essential topics. Whatever your past experience or future plans may be, there's something for everyone.

Presenters at HU North Carolina 2014 included...

Jeff Kurtz.

Jeff Kurtz

2 Wheels VS. 3 bedroom home - Simple is better!

Stories and memories shared with hundreds of bikers across the US. Everything from panniers on fire to the guy on a lawn chair beside my bike at 7 AM in Bishop, CA.

Jeff Kurtz.

Jeff says: "Living on the bike full time in the US has been an adventure. Stories are to be shared with smiles and tears. Looking forward to hearing what you can share also."

Ken and Carol Duval.

Ken and Carol Duval, Australia

Life on a Bike - 2UP Riding the World!

2UP traveling on a 32 year old bike through all South American countries and north through Central America to USA & Canada.

Ken Duval.

"When Carol and I met in 1983 she had just returned from backpacking around the world and I was planning a motorcycle trip around Australia & New Zealand. I asked her to join me and that was the start of our 'Life on a Bike'. In 1997 we left for an 18 month adventure around the world on our 1981 BMW R80 G/S and ended up being away 4 years 2 months and 17 days through 57 countries and 200,000 kms.

Ken Duval.

'Normal life' would never be the same. In 2007 we sold everything except our BMW and set off again. We spent 3 years in South America including traveling up the Amazon River on 3 boats and following 2 Dakar Rallies. After shipping to Panama we traveled through Central America and had the last 3 years in North America.

Ken Duval.

This May we plan to ride in Cuba then spend the summer in the USA and Canada. Next year Russia, Mongolia and Europe are on our agenda."

Ken and Carol Duval in Cuba.

Ashim Ranadive.

Ashim Ranadive, 7 days 1 shower

Easing into Overland Motorcycle Travel

Travel is always exciting but is doing it on two wheels really the way to do it? My short trips helped me to find the answer. Having traveled 2-3 months a year for the last 5 years whilst holding down a full time job, my passion for road/track riding eventually brought me to the world of adventure riding. Being quite comfortable in my daily routine I couldn't help but be curious about if overland travel is what I wanted to do. I undertook several short trips ranging from days to weeks to find out. (Australia's Alpine Loop, Australian Outback, Himalayas, North America).

Ashim Ranadive.

Ashim is a backpacker turned motorcycle traveler, who started traveling 2-3 months a year once he entered the workforce. Previously an avid road/track rider, the hobbies of traveling and riding soon converged.

Andrew Pain.

Andrew Pain

Small Bike Through Peru

Stories and pictures from my weeks in Peru on a small motorcycle, including flat tires, food poisoning, deserts, and of course, Machu Picchu.

Andrew Pain.

Andrew Pain is a writer and adventure motorcyclist living in Milwaukee, WI. Preferring travel on small motorcycles, he has written several book on traveling on a motorcycle under 300ccs.

Dave Allgood.

Dave Allgood

The Continental Divide South to North

2013 Continental Divide Ride from the Mexican border to the Canada border I would like to share my experience on the Continental Divide including some pictures of what to expect, some advice (for what it's worth) on what you need to take, and some advice on how to prepare, as well as some resource references.

Dave Allgood in Wyoming.

After riding road bikes for many years I started Dual Sport Riding about 5 years ago and have explored many trails and two tracks in my home state of Michigan. I retired last year to have more riding time and my first adventure was the Continental Divide Ride.

Educational Sessions

Because Horizons Unlimited meetings are also about informing, not just inspiring!

Linda Blaise.

Linda Blaise

Don't leave home without it! It's not how much you take, it's what you take and how you pack it...

Ladies, we all know that men can travel with a spare pair of underwear but we need more to look and feel good when we go to dinner or tour the town.

I'll bring my suitcase and "bare all". I'll show you how to pack for an unlimited number of weeks on the road and have clothes for any occasion, including a surprise invite to a wedding reception ...all in one side bag of my F650.

For those who camp, I will have my "compact camping kit" to show that provides everything needed to prepare meals, right down to a tablecloth.

I'll show slides and give you handouts that you can modify to fit your needs. They will include lists of medical supplies, tools, cosmetics, food etc.

Linda Blaise.

"While in a shipyard doing maintenance on our sailboat, we decided that we had enough of living aboard and it was time to do something else. Much to my husband's surprise, I suggested motorcycles. I was 47 and had never been on a bike. The motorcycle training class supplied a 150cc, I struggled, I cried and... I barely passed the class. Since then we have ridden 49 states, 7 Canadian Provinces and 50 countries, well over 200,000 miles. We travel alone, camp, stay in youth hostels and backpackers."

Denis Blaise.

Denis Blaise

Shipping bikes and crossing borders - the how to's of shipping a bike overseas and getting across borders

Denis will lead a panel discussion on how to ship bikes to Europe, where to rent in South Africa and Crossing borders. Also, he will bring maps from the trips and will help anyone who wants help with planning.

Denis Blaise.

"I was born in Belgium and came to the USA when I was 18. I earned several degrees from American Universities and taught French and Spanish for 30 years. In 1980, I earned a USCG captain's license and have been a charter boat captain since then. I am now a captain and guide-naturalist in the Everglades. I have published a book of true accounts of events during the WWII Battle of the Bulge which took place where I lived as a child. It is called The Bicycle Dairies (Mostly) Light-Hearted War Stories of a Non-Combatant."

Andrew Pain.

Andrew Pain

Going Small and Anatomy of Cheap

Going Small - Talking about luggage, because no one wants to pick up a heavy motorcycle I travel on a small motorcycle, and so should you. But even if you don't you can still earn from the little guys. Small bike means small luggage, and I'll talk about the minimum amount of stuff you should pack to live on your motorcycle for as long as you want.

Anatomy of Cheap - How and where to spend, and save, money for your trip It's perhaps the most common question people ask – how do you have the money for it? From prep through coming home, we'll talk about where to spend, and where not to, to get the most out of your dollars on the road.

Facilities for a Fantastic Four Days

Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, Cabins and Campground
1755 Lower Stecoah Road,
Robbinsville
North Carolina 28771

For more information:
Telephone: 1-828-479-3864

John & Charlene Powell have been welcoming Horizons Unlimited to Iron Horse since 2004, and a friendlier bunch of folks we've yet to meet!

From their Website:

"Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Campground is a secluded 39-acre resort on Stecoah Creek in the smoky mountains of western North Carolina. We are surrounded by the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains, which provide some of the best motorcycle riding in the world. Iron Horse is within minutes of the famous Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, the scenic Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Fontana Dam, and the Nantahala River Gorge. Gather around the fire at the Iron Horse Pavilion and enjoy a home cooked meal.

Fireplace in Ironhorse pavillion, Steocah, North Carolina.

Great ambience for presentations - of course it will be air-conditioned in August!

The Pavillion includes a large screen surround sound TV with satellite/VCR/DVD, pool table, karaoke, camp store, and your favorite T-shirts and souvenirs. Check your email or browse the internet using our high speed wireless internet service. Connect with your own wireless laptop or use our public computer located in the Pavilion."

Solarium for smaller presentations, Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge, North Carolina.

Solarium for smaller presentations and casual meals

Upstairs in the pavillion.   Pavillion from creekside, Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge, North Carolina.

Accommodation

Accommodation is NOT included with your registration fee.

Iron Horse offers full cabin rentals, comfortable cabin rooms, creekside tent camping, RV hook-ups, and bunkhouse accommodations.

Covered bike parking and an unloading ramp are available. Guests have use of the spacious and clean wash house with showers and washer/dryer. See here for more details and rates.

NOTE: You should book early for camping and cabins. For rooms or bunkhouse there is a Horizons Unlimited special -  stay 2 nights get 3rd night free. You must book directly with Ironhorse before May 31, 2014 to reserve rooms at the HU Special rate. Call them at 1-828-479-3864 or e-mail: i...@ironhorsenc.com

Camping facilities at the HU North Carolina meeting.

Camping facilities at the HU North Carolina meeting. Does it get any nicer?

Camping at Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge.

Meals

Meals are NOT included with your registration fee.

"Breakfast and dinner is served daily. We serve quality home cooked meals and fresh baked desserts. All meals are served in the pavilion with comfortable indoor dining, creek side on the deck, or gather round the group campfire. Dining is available for our guests only. Guests should call ahead or sign up for dinner in the morning or at check-in."

Saturday night special: Prime Rib or Fish, includes Salad Bar, Baked Potato, and Dinner Roll

Susan notes: Meals are great, and you will not go hungry! The prime rib is awesome!

Dining indoors at Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge, North Carolina. Dining outdoors at Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge, North Carolina.

 

More info on their website, and a review of Iron Horse in "Motorcycle Consumer News." (128kb .pdf).



 

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