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13 Apr 2006
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The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
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Country fact files
Hi Grant! Me again!
The story of Peter and Katherina made me think a lot and scared me! A lot! I thought a "Country Fact file" zone could be good, but not only about safety!
The rough guide or lonely planet provide very useful info on each country, but nothing specific to bikers. The "Country fact files" could list what are the "unusual" rules on biking, like what the law say about filtering for example, or police controls on the road stopping foreigners for easy "fines" (and what best course of action then) , what type of robberies/scams are more frequent in this country, thieves disguised as cops (and advice if possible!) etc….Just to have an idea of what *could* happen. The more prepare we are before setting off, the safer.
Again building from input from travellers (with a date to ensure info is not too old). Actually in this you could also include others bits that are already existing scattered through the HU (like carnet info on which organism/address/email to contact to get one), friendly accommodation etc….
Cheers,
Maria
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13 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by maria41
Hi Grant! Me again!
The story of Peter and Katherina made me think a lot and scared me! A lot! I thought a "Country Fact file" zone could be good, but not only about safety!
The rough guide or lonely planet provide very useful info on each country, but nothing specific to bikers. The "Country fact files" could list what are the "unusual" rules on biking, like what the law say about filtering for example, or police controls on the road stopping foreigners for easy "fines" (and what best course of action then) , what type of robberies/scams are more frequent in this country, thieves disguised as cops (and advice if possible!) etc….Just to have an idea of what *could* happen. The more prepare we are before setting off, the safer.
Again building from input from travellers (with a date to ensure info is not too old). Actually in this you could also include others bits that are already existing scattered through the HU (like carnet info on which organism/address/email to contact to get one), friendly accommodation etc….
Cheers,
Maria
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Yep - you're doing well- hitting all we're planning - this is something we've been wanting for some time! BUT it's a monumental amount of work, and all by hand. WE MAY eventually get this in a useable form, but it will be some time - and it may be as an e-book, that you can buy for $5 or $10 per country or region. I don't know - we're trying to figure out how to do it, without hiring all sorts of staff and making the costs of running the site silly.
Volunteers who are doing this sort of thing on their own in order to research a trip, could be VERY helpful,  and we'd be happy to work out a sharing of profits on the e-book sales. We could provide a standardized format and a database/form to make it all easier. OR a wiki style input system. 
Again - it's definitely going to happen in some form, but time and cost is unknown.
What would YOU - or anyone - pay for an e-book like this? Thoughts appreciated!
Thanks for the detailed input on what YOU want!
Grant
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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13 Apr 2006
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The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
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Country fact files
Hi Grant!
A wikipedia style would be a good idea.
On cost terms, nothing comes free in this world and I think that soon or later (I am not going to make myself popular with this!) *gasp and horror* maybe you should consider an annual membership fee. After all, all clubs and associations do require a membership fee for running costs. The HU is absolutely unique and provide invaluable information. It could take that if you are a member you can access some restricted areas (like the countries files ) etc.. Maybe non -members could pay a bit more for the HU meetings than members... Maybe you should start a thread on this or do a survey.... Asking a membership fee of say 10 quids is nothing for most people and could make a difference for the site? Not sure what the feeling of other hubbers is on this....
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13 Apr 2006
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 356
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The Katrina and Peter story got me a little freaked also, btw, but this really is not new. Anyone who is considering this kind of trip is irresponsible unless they do their research (This is not to suggest anything about Katrina and Peter).
There is plenty of information out there and LP, Rough etc are some excellent resources on which even foreign correspondents rely. One problem is that rolling into the pueblo on your foreign motorcycle loaded will more stuff than the locales own at home makes you an easy mark. Contacting the embassy in each country you visit is also a good idea.
Grant- I would be willing to help on this as it is something with which I experience, but as you say it is HUGE and it will always be out of date to some extent.
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13 Apr 2006
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 356
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Grant Johnson
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Wow, never saw that before! Even knowing about it I couldn't find it from the home page. Is it one of the links under Planning? I think that many people miss it because they go straight to the HUBB.
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18 Apr 2006
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Gloucester, England
Posts: 419
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Squidbrain
Hi Grant
Would a "New Posts Since Last Visit" option be a possibility please? I'm a complete computer numpty but other sites which appear to be based on this model support it.
Regards, Luddite Mick |
Hi Grant
Sorry to harass you so mercilessly, but is the "Get All New Posts" meant to do this, or am I being thicker than usual? I just selected that option and got 497 posts but there have only been about 175 since my last visit.
Regards, Mick
p.s. Squidbrain is meant to be ironic.
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18 Apr 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
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another feature
On the Triumphrat.com website, i can nip into my profile and it lists my last 15 posts, so I can click on them to see if there has been any follow up. It is easy to forget that you have replied or to which thread... I find this a useful feature.
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20 Apr 2006
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
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G'day Grant
I like Old Bmw's suggestion, but I was wondering if it was possible once the front page of Horizons openned to go to the Hubb with one click not two. At the moment you get the Intro page or 24hr posts page and have to go from there. I would like to go direct to the Hubb list of topics if thats poss.
cheers
alec
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
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20 Apr 2006
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Contributing Member
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 66
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Thankyou for a fantastic website.
One small detail I'd like to see changed is to extend the yellow preview window that pops up when you hover your mouse cursor over a thread link. It would thus be possible to read a few lines of text of the first post, rather than just a few words that do not really say anything about the thread. I hope this all makes sense.
Once again, thanks for a wonderful motorcycle resource
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20 Apr 2006
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Contributing Member
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London, England
Posts: 66
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Newbie section
Just thought of another thing...
How about having a Beginner's section, including a New Members Introduction area?
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20 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by simmo
G'day Grant
I like Old Bmw's suggestion, but I was wondering if it was possible once the front page of Horizons openned to go to the Hubb with one click not two. At the moment you get the Intro page or 24hr posts page and have to go from there. I would like to go direct to the Hubb list of topics if thats poss.
cheers
alec
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It's already possible - click on the Forums graphic and that takes you where you want to go. 
the graphic on all menu listings takes you to the index page for the section.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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20 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by TobyE
Thankyou for a fantastic website.
One small detail I'd like to see changed is to extend the yellow preview window that pops up when you hover your mouse cursor over a thread link. It would thus be possible to read a few lines of text of the first post, rather than just a few words that do not really say anything about the thread. I hope this all makes sense.
Once again, thanks for a wonderful motorcycle resource
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Good idea - but I just had a quick cruise looking for ways to change that, and didn't find it. I suspect it can, but will have to do more research on it.
(puts it on the back burner... )
later...
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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20 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by TobyE
Just thought of another thing...
How about having a Beginner's section, including a New Members Introduction area?
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Sounds like a good idea - but can you please elucidate... (the less thinking I have to do the better  )
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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20 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by oldbmw
On the Triumphrat.com website, i can nip into my profile and it lists my last 15 posts, so I can click on them to see if there has been any follow up. It is easy to forget that you have replied or to which thread... I find this a useful feature.
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Interesting idea, I like it - but triumphrats.net is running different software, so it may not be easily possible here - but I review this thread regularly and will see what I can find for something similar.
(put's it on the backburner...)
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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20 Apr 2006
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HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,230
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by oldbmw
On the Triumphrat.com website, i can nip into my profile and it lists my last 15 posts, so I can click on them to see if there has been any follow up. It is easy to forget that you have replied or to which thread... I find this a useful feature.
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Note that here you can subscribe to a thread, which may give you similar results, albeit a different route.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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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)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
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
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
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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Country fact files
Country fact files
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