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14 Feb 2002
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RTW: eighty-nine and counting...
The page at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/davebarr/ says about Dave Barr: "To date, only eighty-nine others have successfully toured the world on motorcycle". But I don't know what they mean by "To date": does it refer to 1990 when Dave started his trip, or 1994 when he completed it, or today 2002? Who does keep track of the count? With a site like Horizons Unlimited, I guess they will have to update the counter much more often now 
On a related matter, do you know if a female rider has successfully completed a RTW trip that includes crossing all of Africa (north/south) including the Sahara? (ie. Morocco or Tunisia through South Africa by land) My girlfriend is up for the challenge. 
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Pierre
http://www.geocities.com/skypie999/bikes/
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15 Feb 2002
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Pierre
Dave Barr completed his trip in 1994, so the eighty-nine will have been at that date, and according to Dave Barr.
One thing we've discovered in the years since we launched this site in 1996 is that there are many more RTW travellers than were previously known about. At this time we think there are closer to 250 who have completed the trip. What we don't have is a breakdown of the travellers by: couples, single males, single females, etc.
The only female we know of who has done the Sahara as part of a RTW trip was Tamara (can't remember her last name), who accompanied Jim Rogers the 'Investment Biker' on his 1995 trip. However, they did have a support truck throughout, so that undoubtedly helped!
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Good luck and safe travels!
Susan Johnson
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at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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16 Feb 2002
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How does one determine a person who's gone around the world? Are there certain criteria that one has to meet? I've been half way around the world, but only in the upper lattitudes, never into Africa etc. So can one do something like ride through Europe through Russia, hop a plane to the US and ride across the US be considered a RTW trip?
What about if I do some thing like ride across Europe, come home for a year or so, ride across Africa, come home again, ride Asia etc over the course of 10 years. Does that count as around the world?
I'm just intersted in what other people think, I know it's mostly just an opinion question.
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21 Feb 2002
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Edward
Last week we met a guy in Bangalore, India, who, in 1994, tried to break the world record for biking round the world in the shortest time. The rules said that he had to ride the length of the equator and visit six continents, all in less than 61 days. Unfotunately, Egyptian bureaucracy stopped him making it in time - he obviously didn't read Grant's tips on flying out of Egypt!
I'm not suggesting for one moment that we should all try to get round in two months, but biking in six continents seems to be as good a measure as any to claim that you've really done it. Ultimately I guess, it's up to you...
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21 Feb 2002
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In the grand scheme of things - does it really matter?
I guess everyone's definition will be different. Perhaps it's easiest if we just relax and accept that if someone says they've been RTW then that's fine.
I start to shudder when there are rules, and Guinness Book of Records regulations. It just seems to spoil things... great for pub conversations though...
For me it's the journey that's important - everything else is of little consequence. This kind of thing isn't a competition or race - it's on a higher level than that, it's spiritual.
Keep it simple and it gains it's own symmetry. 
Sorry if I sound a bit "New Age" - one too many pickled onions last night!
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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)
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21 Feb 2002
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I wasn't suggesting any kinds of rules or speed records etc. I was just intersted in what others thought it meant to go around the world. I'm still deciding what I think is RTW for me.
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22 Feb 2002
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fwiw....
to me the basic rtw trip includes europe to asia, alaska to patagonia, and europe to capetown (or vice versa).
Then there are the extra "bonus" trips - like australia, new zealand, siberia, japan...
More importantly, and personally, is the amount and type of travel done in each region. 25 days hustling from Patagonia to Alaska is very different from taking the same trip over 2 leisurely years...
I'm taking the trip in stages - different bikes and working in different placess between stages. (amazing how planning gets easier each time). Is this the same as doing it in one trip? no -but I'l still feel that I've motorcycled around the world. whenever I get done, that is...
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22 Feb 2002
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I think it's whatever you want it to be.
Some people I know of have done it in pieces, returning home every 8-12 months for a few months and then returning. Others have "cherry-picked" the interesting spots and jumped from place to place. Another rode a different bike on five continents in one or two countries and called that around the world. That's fine, whatever you like.
To be picky, but not too, a rough guide imho is across the equator twice and return to your start point or as close as possible.
In our case we count our Uk to North Cape (as far north as you can ride in Europe) and south to Cape Agulhas, across to SA and Antarctica (without the bike, you can't take it) and all the way north to Prudhoe Bay Alaska, just across the water from North Cape, as around the world. No one's going to ride across the pole, so we got as close to our start point as possible!
Of course a couple of years earlier we had done Australia too, so I guess that counts.
As I said, whatever suits you.
What DO you think is around the world? Any plans?
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Grant Johnson
Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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23 Feb 2002
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The circumference of the earth is around 40,000 km.
So anyone who has done this mileage has travelled the same distance as they would travelling around our lovely planet (if there was such a thing as an Equatorial Highway).
Using this argument a RTW trip is achievable by almost anyone who has two wheels and fuel. 
Simple.
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Fuzzy Duck
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23 Feb 2002
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Well, in that case I have done 4 RTW's in the last 3 year's... damn, I never even noticed
On the serieus part:
I think driving around/across all continents is doing RTW... but as stated above a few times, for everyone this means something different.
Maarten
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18 Apr 2002
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Hi, for my money Ted Simons trip of 1973 to 1977 is the essence of RTW trips, if anyone out there has not had a read of Jupiters travels then do so now, many years ago as an 18 year old it changed my life. Regards Chris
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30 Jun 2002
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Varieties and variations abound, but I think the core definition would sensibly be based on the circumference of the earth, i.e. the distance at the equator, and then the six-continent rule. Beyond that you can mix and match as you please.
For the keen-eyed, you can add an Iron Butt element by setting time limits and marking out extreme end-to-end points such as Nordkapp to Sudkapp, Prudhoe Bay to Feuerland and Manchester to Magadan, as the case may be.
All this of course with the proviso that the criteria are self-set and not regulated as they do with sailing rtw.
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14 Feb 2005
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To add to Grant's observation on crossing the equator twice; perhaps add something about visiting two antipoles--opposite poles on the globe? Like Buenos Aires and Vladivostock for example.
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15 Feb 2005
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This summer I'm circumnavigating the Baltic Sea, as a shakedown trip for my planned rtw in 2007. That will be across europe then Iraq, Mongolia/India, China, Japan, Malay Penisula, Australia, New Zealand, The Americas (Ushuaia - Prudhoe Bay), Iceland, Faroe Islands and back to Blighty. I admit I'm not including Africa, but that is planned as a separate trip for 2010/2011. However, I will be proudly claiming it as a rtw. As long as you at least cover the equatorial distance and cross the equator and return to where you started from I think you can claim a rtw.
[This message has been edited by baswacky (edited 14 February 2005).]
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18 Feb 2005
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I partly agree with Fuzzy Duck that there shouldn’t be any rules – Certainly not a governing body! If you expect a trophy or a certificate on your RTW completion you should be given a spanking instead.
But if I were pushed for an answer it’d be this:
1. Total distance travelled equal to the length of the equator (or more).
2. Four major landmasses visited (eg. Eurasia, Africa, S.America, N.America)
3. Crossing the equator at least twice by road.
Supported or unsupported only defines your degree of toughness (or lack of funds). The same goes for periods spent at home between journeys and the actual amount of time spent in the saddle.
That said… I could never judge someone according to these criteria since I haven’t met them myself! 
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
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Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
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Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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