Noobs boosting the HUBB demographic
 

Just noticing a good trend over the past weeks, months, that we (the HUBB) seem to be welcoming a larger than normal proportion of new members to the HUBB. Well it could just be that there are a lot of lurkers that just all of a sudden joined but I think from trawling the site most days that there has been an increase in the noob/newbie demographic. It would be interesting to see if there are some stats available (hint to Grant to chime in if yes) to confirm the sorts of numbers of new people joining the HUBB.

I say a toast to all the new blood and that great spirit of adventure that is the epitimy of Horizons Unlimited. beerbeer

Does a big recession promote overlanding?
On the one hand people have more time so could spark some RTW trips, on the other hand people have less disposable money.... Could go either way.

One thing that was very noticeable with rock climbing in the UK during the 90's was that it got very popular, mainly due to the rise in indoor facilities. This was great at first (what, there are women at the crag now?!?) but had a big downside in terms of no longer being able to escape from all the people everywhere.

Will more overlanders mean that we stop being such a point of interest for the remote villages we ride into and become just another brand of tourist? Call me an ego-maniac but one thing I enjoy about going off adventuring is it transforms me from a small cog in a large machine to something a bit out-of-the-ordinary.....

doesn't mean they're all off on a RTW, they may have joined for the company :eek3: beer

I couldn't agree more, that overlanding is one of the best means to get off the beat track, but as you say, what happens when that track becomes beat itself.

I think that the likes of Mcgregor and their series probably turned for some the overlanding thing a bit more realistic. And the fact that we are here helping others do the same sure takes the mystery away from it. But after all the planet is a remarkable place and I think big enough (even if it is over populated) for all of us to have our very own adventure.

On that note I am a big proponent of ecologically minded travel. You may say it doesn't really fit with the overlanding thing, but in fact it is much more economical than taking a plane... but that's another topic :scooter:

Perhaps the new noobs (I know it's a tautology) can teach us a thing or two about travelling in our footsteps, time will tell. :D

That's how I felt when I first started "overlanding". You stood out when you rolled into a village covered in dirt and had to buy petrol in glass jugs from the village shop. These days too many bandwagon jumpers have diluted the experience. Who do these Johnny-come-lateleys like Ted Simon think they are, grrrr. (Mind you, my definition of "these days" is anyone who's started since about 1975.) :rofl::rofl::rofl:

It's quite possible that some of the new members have more travel-experience then most members on this forum.

What amuses me, is that anyone can register on the HUBB, and many members have quite openly posted where on their bike they hide money! What will be the next post, 'show us your garage contents' complete with postcode?doh

Noobs, firsts and well just read the damn post.
 

Well yes there's that, the money thing, but wait till they tell you where they hide their spare key, then things well start to get interesting :Beach:

Apart from the same old same old China, Tibet, Burma questions that get posted every second day, it's good to have the noobs joining because it helps remind me of what it used to feel like when I was planning the very first trip. To be honest I think it's like heroin, after the first fix, you keep coming back for more keep looking for that feeling, the feeling you had the first time... anyone get what I'm on about or have I taken too many drugs? :rofl:

I get you! You develop a tolerance quickly too, so you need to get a bigger and bigger hit. The first trip that blew your mind starts to feel a bit mundane so you have to plan something bigger, better, riskier to get the same rush.

Apparently it's a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes people prone to this sort of total addiction whilst 'most people' would rather have two weeks in the Costa del Sol. Maybe we could get Zammo to do a rendition of 'just say no' at Ripley.........

Pushing the envelop
 

Right on, that's the s*&t.

It makes us (well me at least) want to go out and take more risks. And I don't just mean with just the technical riding but also going places that haven't been ridden before. Or riding in hostile places that to better judgement should be off limits.

Noooooo.... Isn't it the imbalance on your bike? That makes it so adictive? Only having 2 wheels and all that. :mchappy:

.....With that, I'm shortly off for 3 or 4 weeks on the Costa del Sol........

(yes - honestly) :Beach: :blushing:

Hmm, I must be a bit odd. I just like riding my bike and the destination is just an end to the means.

I dont plan my rides much, just a few waypoints with a very loose, written in sand itinery.

'feeding the rat' is a popular phrase of mine (coined by Al Alvarez, great climber). The rat's inside you and you feed it by doing dangerous stuff. If you don't feed it it gnaws away at your guts, giving you that familiar crap feeling of lifelessness. Problem is the more you feed it, the bigger it gets, the more often it needs feeding.

I had a 6 year break from doing anything remotely interesting and thought the rat had died. The gnawing sensation had gone but it was more like it had hollowed me out, nothing left - that's when I started overlanding and it's back and bigger than ever now. The rat makes a damn good solo travelling companion as well!

Henryuk, Seriously I think that is the best analogy I have ever heard. But it could also have a lot to do with my current state of mind and a small amount to do with the number of beerbeerbeer's I've had.

No but I do empathise, with this and my rat inside is gnawing me hollow as we speak, I really am considering taking the bike out from it's winter hibenation to ride a couple of passes this weekend... but I think I might just not feed the rat and go snowboarding instead.

That's still feeding the rat!! Anything that shuts it up, even temporarily counts. Overlanding is just pure gluttony for the little fella, non-stop eating for months!

Yep, he's a greedy fella. I get the gut feeling that i'm not ready to settle down. Ride on.:scooter::mchappy: Or should that be snowboard until I can ride again, let's hope for a long european summer!

I've been a lurker/member of HUBB for a while. The biggest issue I had was lack of interaction. I come from ADVrider but hold no prejudice either way, nor do I fit any of the stereotypes...hell I live in a yurt and I'm rebuilding my R80g/s in an unheated shed in the woods. :taz: Over there, you can post a question and in about 2-3 hours have an answer with an invitation to help. Not saying Hubb members are any different, just there is not enough of them right now, they are far spread out, and spend more time riding than clicking. When they are clicking, it's usually at a pay per use internet cafe, so don't have the time to offer a solution. Needless to say, I give the HUBB my money and time because I think it's a great resource. I know A little bit of stuff, so give my knowledge when asked, willingly and freely.

Grant an I had a back and forth behind the scenes recently and I have a lot of respect for what he has done with HU. I set up a community up in Maine, kicked him some money and became a contributing member as well. Hell for the cost of a few quarts of oil it's worth it to support this site and I encourage anyone who actually uses it regularly to do so as well, even if it's a couple bucks :thumbup1:

I'm one of those "new noobs".

I have travelled a lot before, camped a lot and so on. Hell I have even bouldered when I was younger.

Anyway, I am currently contemplating going for a long trip, probably in a threewheeler pseudo car.

The reason for me contemplating it now has very little to do with the grand economical situation, but more to do with my own, personal, situation.

I guess I could strap on a backpack and go that route, but my foot won't have it. Besides, I want my own vehicle and the freedom that brings with it.
I like camping and I often row somewhere with my Adirondack Guide Boat and find somewhere to camp on the coast. I enjoy that very much, but as rowing is pretty slow compared to something with an engine, I figure it was time to seriously ponder something more wide reaching.

I am a (Danish) journalist -although most of my work these days are in audio production - and I have begun writing a book. I figure that I might as well write "my book" on the road, as I have no kids.

I have been a bit of a lurker from time to time on this forum, but when Morgan announced their threewheeler, the possibility of going somewhere with a relatively simple vehicle without having to stand on pegs for hours on end, it was time I began to seriously consider to get going.

Plan-wise, I have my "career" on hold and do as little as possible in that regard, while concentrating on my book, rowing and so forth.

I figure that although I can't do much pro audio production on the road, at least I can write, do a bit of journalism, and if I'm lucky do some small pieces for the radio while underway to supplement the travel fund.

I don't think anyone would want to steal your Enfield Dave......:rofl:

yeah, Grant is slipping letting the likes of you n me on here.......:blushing:
How ya been ? got over Thailand yet or hankering for more?

M

PS The reason the HUBB is showing such a boost is the other main site for us here in USA ( ADV) has gone all weird and they keep changing the rules..... just a thought.

Marty hi, I am afraid down here they steal anything and everything, the other day my parents front gate 'went' missing, local radio announced 2 'cat' converters were cut from cars in a local carpark, they'd even steal the wheels off a miscarriage!

"Noob" [and it's implied connotations] is one of those words that make me cringe .
Thankfully it is not used much on this website .

Perhaps - I'm on the brink of being made redundant.... The long overland biking trip idea seems to get closer every day.....

Winter also has an impact on the number of people online & the vision of being somewhere beyond the UK is very appealing :)

I also think that overlanding has a lot to do with people wanting to get away from the rat-race or daily grind of work and not having enough annual leave to do so. I think also that as the population ages and people are more likely to have families later in life that there is an increasing need for a sabbatical year (sometimes more sometimes less). Some sort of selfish ego centrical (call it a gnawing rat in your belly if you will) need to do something for oneself. Scratching the surface more and it may uncover an discontentment in current work-life balance or just personal life & leisure activities.

I might be tempted to make a poll out of this and see what ist the age bracket(s) is of people leaving for their first overlanding trip.:smartass:

:offtopic: Re ADV rider, I personally think there are too many topics and too many people, IMHO it suffers from its own popularity. But this isn't a thread about ADV.

Another thing contributing to the increase might be people registering to hawk us their shoddy goods, discounted oil and locksmithing advice? These get banned pretty quick and it might be that I am only noticing them recently but they've always been registering......

I'm a Newbie on this site :welcome:, and since I joined, the information sharing and advice has been very helpful. I think HU is a great website and pleased that they let me join. Keep up the good work HU!

Speaking of which, most of the advice and guidance I received has been from other Newbies.....Go figure! I guess they're the ones holding down the fort and also doing the riding while the "veteran Hubbers" are riding their keyboards :oops2:. Maybe you guys should go feed those rats again! (Great analagy by the way :thumbup1:)

Well, can't say I blame you, It's cold and wet and uncomfortable out there for you "old-timers".....hehe!

Ok, make sure you keep the 'old boys club' alive now
Wannabe Anewbie :taz:

Nice 1st post
 

:welcome: to the HUBB.

Like your first post and I also like you're point about getting more help from other new members (newbie's or noobs) rather than the veterans.

I unfortunatly tend also to agree with you and I think that given the people on the HUBB and those that are part of HU communities there isn't as much sharing of information as I would like and expect. I know a few riders that have been round the world and they would have a lot to give in terms of info and advice, but alas they don't want to for whatever reason spend their time posting replies to newbies... I guess it comes down to will of the individual. I personally have gotten a lot from the HUBB over the short 3 years I've been a member and I think it's normal to give a little back (or at least I'd like to think so...:blushing:)

That's an inherent problem with any internet forum on any topic. The replies will often come from the people who have more time on their hands or greater sense of self importance rather than those members with the most experience or best knowledge.

I like to chip in my two cents because I have a massively dull job with computer access! Plus I like to be helpful if poss, but a lot of my advice is probably well off the mark because it's based on my own experience - so is self-taught and haphazard. Luckily an incorrect reply is in some ways more likely to elucidate a correct response than the initial question....

As Baz Lurhman said :
"Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth..."

Time and patience
 

It is probably a measure of this sites success that so many questions get asked. I have sadly though read some of the posts and replies about "oh not this old chestnut again or this question has been done to death" and so not as many answers as perhaps people would like. It is difficult to search for things on this site ( like I said a measure of how big this has become, all credit to Grant) and the easiest thing to do is type in a question regardless of how many times it has been asked before.

I have no idea of how difficult it would be to sub categorise all the sections such as seperate sections under equipment for sleeping bags and another for stoves etc. I guess if it was easy Grant would have done it by now?

Anyway a big welcome to all the noobs (no offence intended)
GM

I learnt this the other day: Type this into Google "site:www.horizonsunlimited.com spain morocco" without speech marks if, for example, you want to find stuff written that includes the words Morocco and Spain in this website...

I'm sure Grant and Susan are looking to improve the search function, but in the interim let Google take the strain.
cheers
C

using site flag in google
 

This is a good tip. I use it all the time.

Infact you can do it for any domain and you don't need the "www". Would be good if a few more people did this kind of search before posting another thread on the same topic. Hint Hint, Nudge Nudge:smartass:

for example:

"China Tibet site:.horizonsunlimited.com"


Actually it wouldn't be too hard to implement this in the HUBB. I have a few Ideas if any one is interested... Grant, Susan??

IMHO there are plenty of good (as opposed to hot air) replies by noobs and more experienced bike travellers on this forum. The reason why we don't have the same volume as other sites:

1. Overland bike travel is still a minority activity, despite the publicity by E&C etc

2. Just because you're interested in overland bike travel doesn't mean you have the skills/hardware/software/time/inclination to write about it/advise other people. Lots do trips without broadcasting it on the internet.

3. Many regular people don't want to repeat what they have written elswhere already to answer the same question that's been asked many times before. Often novice IT users (who don't know how to search a website)/bike travellers are overwhelmed by the size (lack of clarity?) of the HUBB/main HU site and find it easier just to post a new question without doing any research first themselves. They are then disappointed by the (lack) of replies and go off somewhere else quietly or complain about it.

4. HU is an English language site and people whose 1st lang isn't English might be able to read English but won't feel confident writing it.

Turbo-Charger: Don't assume that G and S read every thread on the HUBB. If you can offer help with backend stuff, maybe send them a PM.
cheers
C

Yes I agree. I hope it stays that way but I feel it is unlikely given it's growing popularity.
Very true. I still know a handful of people that don't even use the net and have travelled extensively.
I even felt this way at first, that's mostly why I'm still on this site trying to contribute to the wealth of knowledge that is here. IMHO the biggest challenge of the Internet and not just the HUBB is discriminating the good and the bad from the completely ugly (read dirty) info that exists. But let's be honest, there is no reason why novice IT users (or anyone for that matter, present company included) should not learn to do a better search as indicated above.
Yes right again. But this site wouldn't work if it was in Spanish or Chinese now would it.
No assumption made on my part it was more, let's say rhetorical. But the offer still stands.

My intent on the HUBB right now is to get feedback on my buildup of my R80G/S. I would love people to see it, comment on issues they see, offer suggestions of things to do and give me advice. If nothing more than a "Hey, looks good" Is motivation. To work on the bike I have to slog through 3' of snow for a .10 mile and work on it in 30-40F temps. That's with the heater on.

So far I have a few useful folks, but most just hang back and say nothing. I'm also posting the buildup on ADVrider for the same reason and the feedback there has been great and has allowed me to avoid a few major pitfalls. I've actually had guys even send me free parts that help with the rebuild.

I look at it as the HUBB is made up of folks so completely removed from my "orbit" I would view their input as valuable advice not typically offered by the stateside mainstream. I just wish I had some more.

Then again. One guy on the HU pretty much told me to trash the POS and buy a real bike? :rolleyes2:

It's been a mixed experience. But I take what I get and post accordingly. If you notice I am a contributing member so you know where I stand on HU. :cool4:

Spam spam spam spam (in a Monty Python voice)
 

I have anecdotal evidence (i.e. I’ve banned about 15 of them in the past fortnight!) that quite a few spammers joined the HUBB in the early part of this year. What they do is post innocuous enough first posts, then a little while later they add an advert in their signature or edit their text to include adverts. Often their IP address is from the Indian sub-continent.

If you spot posts from noobs that seem fishy e.g. user-name and location identical, random irrelevant (particularly non m/c travel related) “facts”/words that have just been copied/pasted from elsewhere etc, please report the post (button to the top-right of the post if you’re logged on) and somebody will look into it.

Cheers
Chris

Thanks Mods
 

Sneaky bastards those spamers!:thumbdown:

I'm glad you're on the ball and have been 'protecting' the rest of us from the spam so zealously. :clap: Thanks for all the slient work you and the other mods do everyday.:thumbup1:

While backpacking East India and Nepal I fell for the Enfield and hired them when I could, all the time planning my next India trip to buy one.
Found Ted Simons book in the library and Simon-says "get ye to HU"

Escaping the tourist traps and finding the essence of a country is what is in the heart of adventurers The joy of riding a bike as well makes it an addictive pleasure. ( I wonder if I'm fixposting ? :blushing: )
For most of my touring I don't carry a camera ( I find them obtrusive to take pictures of people, though I am carrying one now for the vistas)
I have no desire to make a web-page/book/documentary. I like my privacy
I do desire to make friends.
This site has resisted the "internet wasteland" mentality that can be insulting to those of us of chronologically challenged, an as a good source of info here I want to help and be helped.

I wouldn't worry too much...
 

Having read the previous concerns about adventure touring becoming 'mainstream' - I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd suggest that 'adventure touring' is so far out of most people's available time, cash availability and comfort zone that it will always be a minority activity. We are now several years post LWR and the 'Adventure-Touring explosion' hasn't really happened. Sure, its bigger than it was, but its still tiny. That's why nobody will ever make any money out of an AT book (except Ewan & Charlie of course). I believe (I could easily be wrong) that even Chris Scott doesn't make that much from the AMH - the market is just too small. If that's true, there's no hope for anyone!

Indeed, as far as I can tell the A-T explosion is limited to the dealerships. People buying 1200GS, KTM, Teneres etc and using them to commute, or for weekends away or for trips round europe. Fair enough - they are big, comfy reliable bikes. However, countless people have always done this - just on different bikes.

Henry drew a comparison with the explosion of rock-climbing in the 1990s. I remember that explosion - it happened just after I gave the sport up and I remember driving past crags and going "What the hell! That's a girl on that route! Wait, there's another!" They came just a little too late for little ol' me! :(

However, I'd say AT is more like ice-climbing. Rock climbing is nice and easy - you can ponce around in your arceteryx jacket and fashionable beanie, chit chat with girls, brew up a latte in your stove top espresso... and these days, on bolted climbs and indoor walls, the danger is almost non-existent. That explosion never really happened in ice-climbing, because ice climbing, no matter how you cut it, is cold, uncomfortable, painfull and dangerous.

AT is, by most people's standards, I would think, just a little too committing. It's difficult to organise, unbelievably expensive, can be really very uncomfortable (!), takes a huge committment in time, often requires a total abandonment of any career one might have, and can even be a wee bit dangerous (asian drivers, anyone?! :) ).

Of course it has its rewards! But these are difficult to appreciate if you've never actually experienced them first hand. So I wouldn't worry too much about the current interest in 'adventure motorcycling', I reckon it is almost entirely generated by people wanting to sell CNC machined aluminium to the masses.

Of course, I could be talking bullsh*t! ;)

Matt :)

PS - Welcome to the noobs! :) We've all been guilty of public noobity at some point or another...

I'll drink to that! beerbeer

Indeed, been there done that:blushing:, nowadays I like to think (perhaps slightly disillusionally) that I have something to give back to the AT community.:rolleyes2:

Nice analogy Matt.

It does seem that as the more adventurous hobbies become more mainstream, there will always be a larger cluster of folks in the safer middle ground of that pursuit.

Climbing as a whole will have the most people top roping and indoor climbing and the outliers will be the ones freezing on the waterfall.

Motorcyling as a whole will have the most people on the cruisers going for sunny Sunday rides and the outliers will be the ones out adventure touring.

Hopefully as a group we create a welcoming enough environment that more folks venture into motorcycling in general and from there migrate as far as they wish into the even more adventurous aspects.

Welcome to any and all newcomers:)

Hear hear! :)

Noob#1
 

Hello Veteran HUBBers

Thank you embrassing and welcoming the noobs!

I must/could/can be one of many noobs hanging around nowadays! Nice to meet you all!

I was not aware there was a mainstream feeling going on. I signed up because I thought I was dreaming the same dream as my fellow HUBBers (experienced or not) did: travel the world on a motorbike and share these adventures with others. Ok, maybe I'm not as experienced as many of you might be, for now. But who knows what my future travels might bring you.......

For the time being, thank you for all the advice that you have given me so far and hopefully I (to) can give something back in return shortly; bier.

Lucien

Mate welcome aboard bier I go to the da Haag now and again, besides I have freinds who live there & for me a short boat ride :scooter: