Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - RIDE TO ROOTS, a motorbike for Africa

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)

- Make a Difference (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/make-a-difference/)

- - RIDE TO ROOTS, a motorbike for Africa (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/make-a-difference/ride-to-roots-motorbike-africa-56200)

Hi SomaLee,

First, your trip sounds really great, at least as much as other trips many "hubbers" tell us about in this forum.

I think the people replying to your thread completely understood your point, being the only difference the way you expose your aims and the reasons to undertake it. Being Spanish myself, I would say that we are decades behind Germans, Brits and others in this field, so your trip itself and the charity point are far more unusual in a Spanish context and may even appear in the media with a heading like "from Barcelona to Cape Town on two wheels to raise money for the poorers" (if you report the news yourself, of course), something that wouldn't happen in the UK unless you are Ewan McGregor or you live in a very small town and send it to the local paper.

I will quote Christ Scott, incredibly insightful writer and veteran member hrere, in Overlanders' Handbook (amazing, as all his books, I cannot emphasize it enough):

"[attracting sponsorship] is an idea many overlanders toy with, ostensibly for the very tangible appeal of getting free stuff, but more profoundly, I suspect, as a means of validating or -when it involves charitable causes- justifying the journey".

And it is completely understandable, a nice way to avoid -especially in Spain now, in the middle of a deep economic crisis- to avoid hearing "this guy is just nuts", since you will be raising money and nobody would dare to criticize that. However, the vision of other people here regarding your thread is also understandable and I might also share their pragmatic view. Enough room for all, fortunately.

So, have never been myself in Subsaharan Africa (yet), I wish you all the luck with the trip, the project and the fundrising.

I have only one question: if you travel solo, who is going to play Charlie Boorman's role in your story in the ebook and youtube videos???!!! Forget it, just stupid Andalusian easy humour.

HUBB is definitely the place to ask anything about motorbikes and travels, since people here know so much that one tends to feel small and read answers thinking "wow, still so much to learn from these guys".

Take care and all the best luck,

Esteban

Well, Esteban... if all my Andalusian friends had the same sense of humor than you, probably I would never go to drink beer with them... ;)

I'm not trying to imitate anyone, just I make my way. The sponsors? Check out the Ride To Roots website... for me it's clear. This is a:

- Marketing project (It's my work from 15 years ago)
- Trip to know Africa and write about the situation of our world from there (values, societies, people)
- Know and visit the Riders for Health projects in Africa and help with publicity and raise money for them.

I know, there are lot of people very experienced. Every day I try to see the most interesting part of the people and I've respect for all. Should it be otherwise?

I'm pleased to announce the sponsorship of Redverz with its fantastic tent! :thumbup1:

Redverz Gear sponsors R2R with a spectacular tent | Ride To Roots

Thanks Esteban for your best wishes. I wish you the same.

Cheers!

Riders for Health at the BMWRiders 2011

The last weekend I was at the biggest annual BMW official event in Spain, raising funds for Riders for Health:
Riders for Health at the BMWRiders 2011 | Ride To Roots

http://www.ridetoroots.com/sites/def...s/P1000535.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by somaLEE (Post 349326)

I give up, man. You are making a great JOB.

Congrats for all the sponsors, marketing is your field. You've got lots to teach and I've got even more to learn.

Enjoy the tent (and have a safe trip).

PS: Once again, next year/thread resolution will be "read more, write less", I'll try harder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by estebangc (Post 349728)

This is not a competition to see who is the wiser. Sarcasm is a waste of time.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Mainly as a result of problems in Libya and the difficulty of getting Egypt from Europe, I've decided to travel down the West african coast from Morocco to Cape Town. More miles, more gas, more borders, more everything! Itinerary | Ride To Roots

Quote:

Originally Posted by somaLEE (Post 352158)

This is not a competition to see who is the wiser. Sarcasm is a waste of time.

Thanks for your good wishes.

No sarcasm, nor cinicism, just what I felt/thought. I'd say I was quite nice in my first post (I stuck up for you, if you didn't get it), but it seems the joke about "your C.Boorman" was out of place for you. I insist: I have more to learn than to teach; your case seems to be the other way around. Anything wrong about it? I do not like to compete, nor to get into arguments, sorry, so good luck, good trip and good bye.

You are wrong Esteban. I must learn much more and share all what I know, without proselytizing. I'm not best than others. If you want to contribute something positive always welcome. :thumbup1:

Live healthily!

My home in Africa

Vaccines for travel to Africa

Vaccinated!

Yellow fever, meningitis, polio, hepatitis A, typhoid fever and colera. All at the same time! jeiger

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...31166131_n.jpg

I never understood these sponsored trips to be honest. In my humble opinion "western people" are aware enough of Africa. There is not much need for new books and journals from someone who will have all the equipment, food, clean water and convenience in the world.
Africans don't need you riding to South Africa. No need to spend on petrol and equipment. And if you still want to ride across Africa, just say so... don't be making up excuses for it.

I for one am not on your side. I think you are just wasting your time. Good luck! Zoltan

Wow Barothi, your message is not very optimistic! Take a look what you've written, is not very realistic.

I don't think that the "Make a Difference" forum is what you're looking for.

I hope that over time you develop a more positive attitude. It's much healthier ;)

Thanks for your comment!

Cheers,
Eduard

Bike travellers event

A week ago I participated in special event organized by IMM in Son Servera, Mallorca.

IMM Rent & Tours and motorcycle travels | Ride To Roots

http://www.ridetoroots.com/sites/def...jpg?1320500974

Gone a bit quiet here........oh well....

Hey Cami! My friend! :)))

I'm in Barcelona for a month after five fantastic months in Africa! I'm a lot of things to do and one of them is make some report in english for the HUBB.

You can check the Ride To Roots website and the facebook page for pictures!
Ride To Roots | Viaje en moto por África

Take a look to my new article in the last BMWRiders news:
Nigeria, ¿un país peligroso?

GASSS!