Places to avoid?
 

Is it worth having a 'hot spot' map on the site???

It could be sub divided into Country/Region

Tom

Don't forget to put London and most UK cities on as places to avoid especially after 10pm!

Things are so subject to change because of timing, how aware you are of your surroundings and what your attitude is, that I'm inclined to disagree on a hot spot map. A friend just returned from Baghdad a few days ago. He had no problems. I've been in Colombia six weeks. I haven't had any problems. You can be in the safest place in the world and be shot, knifed, mugged etc. It'lll be interesting to hear what others say....
Lorraine

That road is easy - no problem.
That road is impassable - no go.

This would be similar to looking for opinions on the taste of some foods.

It's what tastes best or most bitter to you...

What Lorraine said +1

Timing is everything.

Don't know about a "hot spot" map but it would be interesting to hear what problems have been encountered by other mc travelers and why. Well documented of course - date, time, country, city, road, whatever. Might help someone avoid that same set of circumstances down the road somewhere.

But isn't that what this thread is supposed to be about???

That being said -- there ARE places in every country, city or town it would be prudent to avoid and I'm not really sure the ability to recognize them can be taught.

Timing Tip
 

If you are travelling in France and expect to pass somewhere unfriendly such as Paris or Rouen. By making your transit when the locals are at lunch you will miss much of the expected traffic. Lunch in France is from 12 noon untill 2 or 2.30 pm.

This is a tricky one ..... everyone has a different perception of risk so it would be difficult to set the advice to reflect the right level of risk and of course if you are American the whole world is high risk these days :) I have a map on the wall of my office which is published by a major US insurance broker and if is titled " Political and Economic Risk Map" but it makes me laugh because so much of the world is coloured for 'medium-high' and 'high' risk in their view that you'd never leave the country if you believed what they say.
High risk countries in the same category as Afghanistan and Iraq are Kenya, Cuba, Ecuador, Nepal, Albania and Venuzuela to mention a few and Medium-High risk are Ukraine, Libya, Mongolia and Madagascar , again just a selection.
Call me sceptical but my old Mum & Dad went to Libya on a cruise recently and loved it . I've been to Ukraine a few times and think it's great and you can walk into any travel agent in Europe and book a package holiday to Cuba and my girlfriend regularly visits Kenya and has nothing but praise for the place so having a map suggesting certain places are risky is so subjective I think it would just be meaningless. Best thing is to research the specific section in the HUBB and read what people are saying - they are either there or have been there and you'll get a more objective opinion based on first had experiences. :scooter:

Kenya????? I lived there from '98-'03 and never had any problems, even when I ventured into the dark depths of 'Nairobbery'! How dare they! Odd that Colombia isn't on the list, but Equador is. If you don't hear from me next month, you'll know they were correct. Or else, that I'm just having a wonderful time and can't be bothered to log on. ;-)
Lorraine

always rains in Rouen
 

I can whole heartedly agree with oldBMW regarding Rouen at lunchtime. However can anyone tell me how to get through Rouen without it raining. I pass through about 8 or ten times a year at all times of the year and always get soaked. Anyone else suffer this local meteo feature.

PS Thanks for the message OldBMW. Cant reply as i am new on here. I am near St Aignan about 1 1/2 hours from you. Contact me on martinlewis at wanadoo dot fr if you like. Off to UK on R8O on 26th for ten days then Austria/Germany on 12th September. Could meet up for beer sometime with pleasure.

Lorraine:
Don't you know, Colombia is soooo dangerous its not even on the scale!

It was so dangerous, I had to leave at the end of my 60 day permit - or I might not have left - captivated by the country which is not the same as captivated by the FARC.

Its personal
 

It might just be something personal to you - I can break droughts just by visiting Edinburg (I now only visit when the drought is so severe they're willing to pay me), but have no problem with Rouen.

Salut Old

Just to make the thread's point...what's wrong with Rouen or Paris? Now South London's a different matter...full of nutters behind the wheel...mind you the French love to tailgate.....Italians are lethal with a car..shouldnt be allowed out of the house, that lot....near me in Haute Loire farmers like to launch tractors from fields as you get near them..but dont they all, everywhere?

Good for you Lorraine. Colombia is deemed to be medium risk according to this all knowing American font of all knowledge and Bolivia and Ecuador are more dangerous according to them too ... :confused1: It's probably because they have so many CIA agents and Narco undercover cops running around there they they just can't admit that their presence hasn't made a damn bit of difference ..... no doubt next year Iraq and Afghanistan will be upgraded because of all the good work done there by Uncle Sam and his armies ;)
I have a freind out in Colombia , he went to visit about 4 years ago and never came back and it wasn't because he was kidnapped or abducted , he just loves the place and stayed :thumbup1: