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HU Travellers Meetings - North America Canada / USA / Mexico and Central America Travellers Meetings - organisation and planning, discussion, getting there etc.
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The only impossible journey
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Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 1 Dec 2013
Susan Johnson's Avatar
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Smile Canada Ontario 2014 HU Travellers Meeting, near Parry Sound, Sep 11-14, 2014

We're very pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2014 Horizons Unlimited Ontario Overland Adventure Travellers meeting, to be held from Sep 11-14!
HU Travellers Meeting Ontario 2014 | Horizons Unlimited

We're back at Camp Manitou, on Lake Manitouwabing, north of Parry Sound. Fabulous venue and fantastic riding, not to mention the great food!

If you register and pay before the end of December you can save $50 on a full event pass.

Typical comments from 2013:

"Thank you again for organizing such a great meeting. It was our first and we are certainly looking to attend again."
"Camp Manitou was a great place for this event. The food was excellent. It was fantastic."
"My first HU meeting but not my last! I thought I'd feel awkward but there were quite a few 'newbies' and I discovered I had been to a lot more places than I had thought. The friendliness and diversity of the people attending made it great! See you next year!"
"A special thanks goes out to Bill Hooykaas for leading us through a great GS ride along the Algonquin trail. Like Andy and Keith said: 'What a hoot!'"

HU Travellers meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled, on two wheels or four. There are no bands and no wild parties, but we do have great people and interesting bikes - and fantastic stories about travelling to interesting places, plus tech seminars on everything from tire changing to GPS usage to packing lists. For a taster of HU meetings, see the video here:
HU Events, the place to meet and be inspired by other travellers! | Horizons Unlimited

We are very grateful to have a strong organizing team for 2014, led by Bill Hooykaas. Our thanks to Bill and the team for stepping up to make this event happen, but they can use some help, so please consider volunteering when you sign up. It's a great way to meet people too!

We're all here to learn, so if you have information to share, consider signing up as a Presenter - free entry and t-shirt - bonus!
Please pass this on to any serious travellers and would-be travellers you think might be interested in attending or presenting!

Thanks for anything you can do to help spread the word about the event. There is a poster on the webpage you can print off and hand around to local venues and bike shops too!

As we count down the days, you can get the latest event updates by subscribing to this thread, (thread tools, subscribe) or 'Liking' the HU Ontario event page on Facebook.

We'll be there, and hope to see you there!

Grant and Susan Johnson
Welcome to the global home of motorcycle travel and overland adventure travel! | Horizons Unlimited
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  #2  
Old 4 Dec 2013
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Will be there, always great people to meet, trails to ride and adventures to hear about, and the camp and food are top drawer!
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  #3  
Old 30 Dec 2013
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General questions about HU Camp Manitou event

Hi,

Last year I attended my first HU Travelers Event at Iron Horse Lodge in Stecoah, NC. I am investigating the 2014 HU Ontario event at Camp Manitou.

Can anyone share more information about:

- On the HU website, I saw some photos of deep rutted roads. What are the general day loop riding options and conditions?

- Does anyone have a compiled list of short loop rides and destinations?

- Where is closest place to stock up on provisions and beverages like wine? Any grocery stores nearby?

- What was the temperature and weather like in September?

- For those tent camping, I assume there is common bathroom and shower facilities?

- Are meals cafeteria style buffet, or served at window like Iron Horse?

- Does Camp Manitou rent towels, provide washer / dryer facilities, and rent coolers?

Just trying to do my planning early. Many thanks.

Kam
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  #4  
Old 31 Dec 2013
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Sure thing Kam. Bill here, host of this years event. Answers are highlighted below your questions.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GF-kam View Post
Hi,

Last year I attended my first HU Travelers Event at Iron Horse Lodge in Stecoah, NC. I am investigating the 2014 HU Ontario event at Camp Manitou.

Can anyone share more information about:

- On the HU website, I saw some photos of deep rutted roads. What are the general day loop riding options and conditions?

Those trails are where much of the hard core fun happens, but not for the faint of heart or timid. They are our free, optional ride-outs to explore the backcountry of the Muskoka region. Being, vacation country for the wealthy, the lakes in the area are dotted with many very expensive "cottages" and hence we generally find the paved roads top notch, but quite twisty and hilly...perfect for exploring. This year the GS Giants will be plotting out a number of GPS, on and off-road routes of varied duration of a few hours to a full day throughout the event. These will be self-guided and will be downloadable at the event.


- Does anyone have a compiled list of short loop rides and destinations?

There are many GPS routes posted on the web if you search "Muskoka Motorcycle Routes" but we find the best routes are to mark Camp Manitou as your home and just go out and explore, your GPS will always bring you home when you have worn yourself out!

- Where is closest place to stock up on provisions and beverages like wine? Any grocery stores nearby?

Parry Sound is about 15 miles away and has lots of stores and good restaurants. But there are a number of small grocers and fuel stops closer by. Wine and other alcoholic beverages will need to be bought in a licensed outlet though, after all we are in Canada. No different from Stecoah, although we are not in a dry county.

- What was the temperature and weather like in September?

It is the end of the summer, and the temps can get down into the low 50's at night. The bugs are a non-issue by then, but there is always a roaring fire going, lots of indoor gathering places, and bunkies galore if you prefer not to camp.

- For those tent camping, I assume there is common bathroom and shower facilities?

Yes, lots of showers and clean washrooms throughout the site, plus most cabins have full facilities.

- Are meals cafeteria style buffet, or served at window like Iron Horse?

Hard to imagine for a camp but some have said they are even better than Iron Horse, buffet style, all you can eat...and there is tons of it, they just keep piling it on... and man is it scrumptious! Both offer great food and lodgings, only approach it differently.

- Does Camp Manitou rent towels, provide washer / dryer facilities, and rent coolers?

Not sure about towels, but do believe they have washer/dryers available, and there are free coolers there to keep you grapes cool. You may want to write Camp Manitou directly to get answers to your specific needs though.

Just trying to do my planning early. Many thanks.

Good questions, thanks for asking, see you there!
Bill


Kam
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  #5  
Old 1 Jan 2014
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I'm signed up! Maybe you'll even have to listen to me talk again!


Is it too early to reserve that same camping spot?

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  #6  
Old 1 Jan 2014
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Hi Susan,

Is this HUBB session a good place to start discussion about things like:

- Border crossing tips for U.S. travelers & other advice for our lower 48 state riders.
- Pros and cons of travelling the east vs. of west of the Lake Ontario up to HU event.
- How do you travel 407 ETR without electronic pass or cash.
- Scenic route recommendations from Mid-Atlantic region.
- Must see destination, routes, places around HU event.

Otherwise, please direct me to a good place to start posting Q&A and discussion.

I cannot wait.

Kam
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  #7  
Old 1 Jan 2014
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Thanks Bill. Your responses greatly appreciated. Perfect.

Thanks.

Kam
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  #8  
Old 3 Jan 2014
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I'm not useful for route stuff, since I spend a lot of time with no clue where I am or how I got there. But I can say there's a lot of pretty stuff 'round those parts.

You can travel on the 407 without the epass or cash, they will mail you a bill later. At least, that's what they've done with me.

I've gone to this event twice, both times from the west, so I can't help you with which side of Lake Ontario. I can say the Niagara side is pretty developed, and that is where I am planning to cross this year since I'll be coming from the south. I want to visit the Tesla Museum and...you know..Niagara Falls (which I've seen but are still cool).

As for border crossing, it's not that bad. But don't exchange money right at the border. Even though it's Canada they'll still (apparently) rip you off. Grr. Have your passport, make sure you say you have a job back home, smile lots, don't bring a gun.
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  #9  
Old 4 Jan 2014
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So, I should make sure the clean the mud off my license plate before getting on the 407 toll. Thanks.
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  #10  
Old 4 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GF-kam View Post
So, I should make sure the clean the mud off my license plate before getting on the 407 toll. Thanks.
There are non-toll options as well. The 401, I think.
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  #11  
Old 13 Jan 2014
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GPS Coordinates & Camp Manitou address clarification

I noticed the HU Ontario web Events page has two different street address for Camp Manitou. The first address on the right pane states 110 Camp Road. The second one at the bottom of the page states 10 Camp Road. Moreover, the Camp Manitou home website has 199 Camp Road. I made some inquiries directly to the staff at Camp Manitou, and this is the explanation for various addresses:
Quote:
"I hope you are well. Thanks for the email. Simply put good question. Our mailing address is 10 camp road, our courier address is the 199 camp road for the purpose of gps our address is 110 Camp Road, McKellar ON, P0G 1C0. Sorry for the confusion it is a remote area which is why all of the confusion exists because our property is so large they have the three designations."
I also noticed my Garmin nuvi 1490 software has no Camp Road. But it does recognize "The Camp Road." Typing in "The" Camp Road, brings my GPS to correct address. If your GPS doesn't show Camp Road, I would use the 110 THE Camp Road address for your GPS. The GPS coordinates for 110 The Camp Road are as follows:

DMS format (Degrees, Minutes, Second):
N 45° 29' 32.292"
W 79° 52' 58.373"

DD format (Decimal Degrees) :
Latitude: 45.492303
Longitude: -79.882882

Kam
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  #12  
Old 14 Jan 2014
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I didn't have a GPS or map that showed the roads around McKellar. There are signs to the camp, and really there just isn't that much around there. I like to think I can get lost with the best of them, but I found it.


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  #13  
Old 1 Feb 2014
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Smile backroads

All of the 400 series highways are boring on a motorcycle. There are lots nice scenic alternate backroads and highways.

Going north from the Carling Bay area you won't be disappointed by this route. The last few kilometers is good condition gravel and the rest is well paved with some nice twisties.

http://tinyurl.com/northbound2HU

Any questions? windtogo.wordpress.com
I live in Kingston Ontario but previously in Parry Sound so I know some of the nice back roads and am happy to help any HU riders to decide on a good route.
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  #14  
Old 12 Mar 2014
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Any scenic roads from Virginia to Ontrario HU event?

Hi,

I am planning on attending the HU Ontario event. I live in Virginia. Just outside Washington, DC. I am trying to find scenic roads, places, and byways for my trip. Any suggestions?

Kam
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  #15  
Old 23 Jul 2014
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From group: HU Ontario Parry Sound 2014
It would be interesting to have the perpective as speaker of the young Holly Johsnon (she was their last year as a participan)t and she did an amazing trip "Motorcycle for Miracles Hall of Fame" with her Dad Bruce Johnson

https://www.facebook.com/events/625767034133395/
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