HUMM 2010 - Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness in the Pyrenees

**Grant Johnson** · #1 14th September 2009

HUMM 2010 - Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness

HUMM 2010, July 27-29

This is the 4th Annual Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness (HUMM) event. A two and a HALF-day, no GPS, ON or OFF-road orienteering event in the eastern Pyrenees of Catalunya, Spain and Andorra. Test your map reading and navigation skills, find hidden secrets and enjoy the fabulous riding. The roads are amazing, the scenery is breath-taking, and the people are wonderful - so why not come on down with us in 2010?!

Lots of improvements added, so check it out!

See the reviews and comments on the 2009 event here on the reg page, and here on the HUBB.

See you there!

**The Speeding Stag** · #2 23rd November 2009

Hi Guys
I have done the event for the last 3 years, with a group of friends, however they are unable to make it next year, I would love to do the event in 2010, but haven’t got a team anymore.
Question: does anyone or group need a new member to their team?
I would be doing the off road event, I am 40, competent rider both on and off road, will probably be doing it on a KTM 450 or a TTr 250. I do it for fun and am not really in it to win it, No one can beat the 2 Ian's anyway.
If anyone can squeeze me into their team I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks
Tony

P.S
I am very easy going,
map reading skills are ok,
just as happy sitting at the back following along as I am up front map reading..
As long as I am on my bike I am happy.
Sometimes drink a little too much red wine, and smoke a few too many ciggies.

**Grant Johnson** · #3 5th December 2009

Tony, not to worry - we normally have at least a half dozen looking for team mates, and we've done well matching them up - they've won in the past!

Get yourself registered and closer to the event we'll match up those who are still unmatched. And in the meantime, keep looking for team mates.

**jolyon_russ** · #4 9th December 2009

This would be my first time and I'm contemplating doing the off road course 2up on an F800GS, but am concerned the course might be a bit too technical. Is it mostly gravel fire road type stuff or tight forrest tracks or 100's of river crossings?

I noticed on the form it's an option so people clearly do it, are they completely mad like me?!

**Grant Johnson** · #5 10th December 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolyon_russ

This would be my first time and I'm contemplating doing the off road course 2up on an F800GS, but am concerned the course might be a bit too technical. Is it mostly gravel fire road type stuff or tight forrest tracks or 100's of river crossings?

I noticed on the form it's an option so people clearly do it, are they completely mad like me?!

Yes.

Been done, and they didn't do badly either, but - and there's always a but - your pillion will be walking on occasion! A rider did it with his teenage son on the back last year, and there was some muttering about the amount of walking he had to do (remember teenage

) but they both said they had a great time anyway, and they'd be back this year - on two bikes!

So yes, it's quite doable. MOSTLY fire roady stuff - but definitely some tougher stuff too. Remember though that you can always choose a different route if it's too hard. It's NOT A FIXED COURSE. And according to Austin, who laid out the course, it's ALL RIDEABLE by any reasonably competent rider on any bike with off-road pretensions, without pushing or carrying anywhere.

With any luck we'll be able to team you up with another pillion pair, but no guarantees.

See you there!

Grant

**Pauldg2504** · #6 29th December 2009

Hi speeding Stag,

Myself and 2 other friends have recently completed Enduro africa for the first time and loved it. The 3 of us are looking to take part in HUMM and after seeing your post - you could be exactly wehat we need - an experienced team member.

If you are interested in joining our team - we would love to have you. We would be entering the off road under 650 category.

best regards

Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Speeding Stag

Hi Guys
I have done the event for the last 3 years, with a group of friends, however they are unable to make it next year, I would love to do the event in 2010, but haven’t got a team anymore.
Question: does anyone or group need a new member to their team?
I would be doing the off road event, I am 40, competent rider both on and off road, will probably be doing it on a KTM 450 or a TTr 250. I do it for fun and am not really in it to win it, No one can beat the 2 Ian's anyway.
If anyone can squeeze me into their team I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks
Tony

P.S
I am very easy going,
map reading skills are ok,
just as happy sitting at the back following along as I am up front map reading..
As long as I am on my bike I am happy.
Sometimes drink a little too much red wine, and smoke a few too many ciggies.

**Cowtje** · #7 12th January 2010

Hello Speeding Stag and others,

I'm also looking for a partner for the HUMM 2010. This will be my first time doing something like this. Riding a Honda Transalp (xl600v) and having a little off-road experience this 40 yr-old is in for some madness!
You can contact me by clicking my name above.

Gina

**The Speeding Stag** · #8 12th January 2010

Hi Guys
sorry for the delay in my reply, I have found a friend that has registered, so we are now two, if anyone would like to join us you are more than welcome.
PM me if interested

**Hilts** · #9 19th January 2010

Hi guys - bit of a forum lurker here making a first appearance! Very keen on doing the HUMM this year, but concerned that my bike is just too big!!

I ride a 1200 GS Adventure (I know, I know - but I also have a Kawa KDX220 for real off roading if that makes up for it), and the question is simple - will I be able to ride the HUMM on the adv without a) falling over lots; b) wrecking my bike; c) wrecking myself and d) making my mates (on 400/650s) wait for me all the time!?

I'm sure it is possible, but I want to have a fun time, not batter myself senseless lugging the beast around all the time. I've done a fair bit of off roading, but not on the 1200.

Do many do it on a big bike like that and what do others who've done it before think?

My mates are pestering me to sign up, but I'm hesitating a bit - let me know your thoughts!

Thanks

**Grant Johnson** · #10 19th January 2010

That's a little tricky to answer - but first, have you read the previous event reports on the reg page? The overall winner or over 645 class has always been an R1200GS or two. (Not an Adventure) In fact last year First in the over 645 class was a 1200GS and Africa Twin team, and second was a pair of 1200GS's.

So obviously you can do well on them! But it comes down to your experience on a big bike, and to a small extent your willingness to scratch it up a bit. The winning 1200GS last year ripped his skidpan right off and holed his crankcase on day one, fixing it with JB Weld trailside, then went on to win. And someone else holed his too, so if you're riding hard you'll want to think about better crankcase protection. There are rocks out there!

If you ride the 220 you MIGHT have a better time, and will fit in with the other bikes in your team for the under 645 class. Mixed sizes can ride, but they have to choose one class or the other - and have both the advantages - and disadvantages - of each size bike.

Big bikes slow off road, fast on, small bikes fast on trails, slow on road.
Mixed = slow everywhere - or fast enough everywhere?

That's one of the challenges - getting the bike choice and class right!

One team last year was a 1200GS with dog on the tank, and an F800GS with a passenger, and a couple of other assorted bikes. They sure didn't win, but had a good time, and that's what counts.

You're worried about them waiting for you - well, you'll be waiting for them on the road!

For those who have ridden it in the past, what do you think?

**harleyrider** · #11 19th January 2010

We're still undecided about doing the event this year. Not because we don't want to but we've only got limited holidays for the next 3 or 4 years. If we do come we'll probably leave the Harley's at home and come on smaller bikes to do the off-road event. But one bike is 640cc and the other is 654cc so can we both enter the same class? Don't care which one, we're certainly no threat to the competition!

**Grant Johnson** · #12 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyrider

We're still undecided about doing the event this year. Not because we don't want to but we've only got limited holidays for the next 3 or 4 years. If we do come we'll probably leave the Harley's at home and come on smaller bikes to do the off-road event. But one bike is 640cc and the other is 654cc so can we both enter the same class? Don't care which one, we're certainly no threat to the competition!

For the purposes of the HUMM, we'd call you under 645 class.

Technically, "Mixed sizes can ride, but they have to choose one class or the other - and have both the advantages - and disadvantages - of each size bike."

In your case it's a technical detail that one is over and the other under.

See you there!

Grant

**debseed** · #13 19th January 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hilts

I ride a 1200 GS Adventure but I also have a Kawa KDX220 and the question is simple - will I be able to ride the HUMM on the adv without
a) falling over lots; No
b) wrecking my bike; Possibly not
c) wrecking myself Possibly not
d) making my mates (on 400/650s) wait for me all the time!?There your mates that's what its all about!

I'm sure it is possible, but I want to have a fun time see below

Do many do it on a big bike like that and what do others who've done it before think? Dunno - I rode a little bike

My mates are pestering me to sign up, but I'm hesitating a bit - let me know your thoughts! Why can't you ride the 220?

:

I did the HUMM last year. I was/am an old lady riding a Yamaha Serow 250. I /we were thrilled to come 6th in our class. It (I think) was more fun on the 'slower' bikes. But, the main thing to remember, is that you NEED to be able to read a map!

Go for it, its just for fun - (so they say!)

**haphazard** · #14 21st January 2010

Hi all, My wife has been so kind as to book me up for HUMM this year as a surprise Xmas present (I know, she's too good to me).

I've got requests out with a few buddy's to make a team, but it's not looking too hopeful at the moment, so I may need to tag along with some others if possible...

• I'm looking at hiring a KTM 450. (I ride a 990ADV for commuting and travels and a Yamaha WR250F for my dirt habit at home)

• I'm not great a reading maps (though will practice until then, promise)

• I'm looking at doing off-road, off-road, off-road and off-road

• I'm 37, staying at the main hotel and like a drink (or two)

Any offers would be great. Cheers, Paul.

**LarsHoejberg** · #15 9th February 2010

Hi all

I've just signed up for this years HUMM.

It's the first time I'm trying this, but I'm really looking forward to participate.

I'll participate on a 2003 Honda XRV 750 and have enlisted in the above 645 ccm offroad class.
If you have any available space on your team, please contact me.

I'm 42, live in Copenhagen Denmark and have been riding for 5 years.
In 2012, my girlfriend and I are planning on going from Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia, so this event is considered kind of a training session, in regards to gaining some offroad experience.
Map skills should be adequate. I've been in the Danish army reserves for about 15 years, so no problems there.

Looking forward to meet you all.

BR. from Copenhagen /Lars