So who do I believe?

This site http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/ says the 10/9 -10/12 meeting in Creel is cancelled.

This site http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/mee...Mexico2007.php shows no change.

The ADVrider thread at 2007 Horizons Unlimited Meeting in Creel! - ADVrider says the event has been delayed one week until 10/16/07.

The HU event in Creel IS CANCELLED due to circumstances beyond our control. We are very unhappy to have to cancel, but after much effort and consideration feel it is necessary.

The page you found with details was not officially "released" and thus showed old information - there was never a link to it.

The page now has full and up-to-date details on the cancellation.

The ADVRider site is VERY misleading - and I am not happy.

Here is what I posted there to help clarify the issue:

Sorry to not have clarified this sooner - between our recent nightmare move and 2 HU events in North Carolina and UK back to back, we've been swamped. Here's the full story of why this is no longer a Horizons Unlimited Meeting:

Gerardo wrote us with the following:

"I have been hired by "Rio y Montana" Mexico's largest and most reputable adventure travel outfitter. I am in charge of developing their Moto-expeditions business...

...I intend to use the HU meeting as the launching plataform for the international market... we will be flying journalists who write for adventure riding, touring, and dual sport type magazines, covering meals and lodging, and providing them with BMW GSX-Challenge bikes to ride (there will be one for you obviously) All of this sponsored by BMW Mexico, and three other companies we have signed contracts with.

... I must ask that we please do the following: Limit the number of presentations, and be selective as it relates to content and value. The main presentation spot will be given to Rio y Montana for the project launching."

We have been really struggling with this event - its purpose, what makes sense and can it be a win-win for us all. Unfortunately, the proposed schedule and format is not in line with our objectives for Horizons Unlimited meetings. We didn't feel we could ask our people to pay to attend a product launch. The press coverage is not of interest to us, and would cause confusion with our branding and what we're all about. There were other considerations, including financial risk, as Horizons was asked to put up $2,000 advance funding for the hotel.

Regretfully, after much agonizing, we have decided that Horizons Unlimited will not do an event in Mexico this year - we did not want to do a competing event which would just cause confusion.

We are rethinking next year's location and format, and considering a dual-sport orienteering event, a format which we are launching in the Spanish Pyrenees 1-2 September (test event last year). http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/humm/

Anyone who wishes to go to Mexico for Gerardo's "Chabochis Motorcycle Rally" can get in touch with him directly to make arrangements. Just be clear it is NOT a Horizons Unlimited event, and I will not be attending. Safe riding, hope to see you next year.

Grant and Susan Johnson
Horizons Unlimited

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant - I've asked the mods at advrider to remove references to HU from the thread that I've started on advrider - it's actually the same thread I've started every year to promote your event. It may have been misleading but the intent was to try and keep an event on everyone's plate for 2007. There are a ton of folks who have made plans to attend and like them, I'd hate to miss what has become an annual trip.

For everyone else, there'll hopefully be much of the same crowd that's always attended the event in Creel...hope to see all of y'all there.

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Gerry
PHX AZ USA

I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

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Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
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Stick to your guns Grant, while it is obviously useful to have some trade sponsorship, corporate highjacking of HU is just not acceptable. This is a site for a loose knit community of overland riders, by riders, for riders; not men in suits

After all that's who most of us are trying to get away from.

I still hope to see the beautiful Copper Canyon, but after the circus has left.

Damn cheek!!!!

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Stagbeetle

It is not the Journey nor yet the Destination, that is the Prize; it is the people you meet on the way.

Blog on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fairless/

Grant, I'm really disappointed in the way things have turned out. Hijacking is the perfect word for what is going on. I was really looking forward to this. After attending two events in BC, Copper Canyon looked to be the perfect venue for my next one. Sadly, the Colorado event is the same time as the MOA rally that I have committed to attend.

Sorry to hear that - timing of events is a HUGE pain in the neck for us - we have to coordinate not only North American Meetings but Europe as well.
Re Creel, thanks for the thought. We're very disappointed too, but are looking at something better for next year. See you there next year!

all the best,

Grant

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

My post from Adv Rider. I try not to rant but this really pissed me off. Enough said.

"Damn, leave the country for a month and look what happens. Screw the launch, screw the press and screw Rio Y Montana. What's with: ".. I must ask that we please do the following: Limit the number of presentations, and be selective as it relates to content and value. The main presentation spot will be given to Rio y Montana for the project launching.?”

That's why most of us go. I leave the schedule and alarm clock north of the border. I like the off the cuff, original AND honest trip reports without any sales pitch. Yes Creel is getting busier. Now it looks like it just got sold to the highest bidder. I personally hope this "venture" fails. Need a touring company, call Edelweiss.

I was thinking of doing Big Bend the week before then heading to Creel. I think I'll reverse that and get out of town before the race and do Big Bend on the way home. If this move for a non-commercialized event unfolds, I'm definitely interested. I could care less who organizes it, just leave the press, politicians and telling me what I can and cannot say/do out of it. Sugar coat it however you wish, but the organizers and promoters of this new event high jacked the HU meeting and screwed Grant, HU and the rest of us. Next thing you know there’ll be a damn dress code."

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I'm not lost, I'm right here.
'05 650GS