Australia 2004: Second Annual HU Travellers Meeting

"The Commercial Hotel Ulmarra NSW was once again the venue for the 2nd Horizons Unlimited Traveller's Meeting. The 1st meeting was a particularly damp affair, but a change of dates to October saw brilliant weather for the complete event.

Travellers began arriving on Friday with Mark Hosking from Ballarat heading the list of helpers. Mark took care of pre-registrations this year. Many thanks Mark. A dozen or more early arrivers enjoyed exchanging travel stories. Leading story teller was Alec Simpson who has had his recent Europe, Russian and Central Asia tour published in Two Wheels magazine.

The bulk of the travellers arrived on Saturday with bikers from as far afield as Tasmania (approx 1800km) and Victoria (approx 1500km). International travellers included Volker & Kerstin from Germany on two Yamaha XT660's who rode across Europe, Russia, South East Asia to Australia. Kai & Ulrike from Germany on BMW R1100GS and F650 who rode overland through Europe, Central Asia, South East Asia to Australia. Jochen & Cordula from Germany (is there anyone left at home?) travelling in a Land Rover towing a trailer with two BMW R80G/S's. They travelled overland from Europe and were fortunate enough to battle their way through the bureaucracy and made their way across Mayanmar to South East Asia and Australia.

The Group gathered in the covered beer garden around 3pm where discussions ranged from bike suitability to carnets, politics, safety after 9/11 and difficulties experienced by various travellers due to the Iraqi war. Contributions from recent overlanders included our six German guests, and from Australia, Niva Williams, who rode a BMW F650 Dakar from India to Europe, Dave Sawtell who rode a Triumph Tiger through Iceland, Europe, Russia and Japan, Alec Simpson who travelled through Europe to Russia and Central Asia on a BMW R80G/S (great bike but we are biased!).

Future overlanders included Wendy Gill and Andrew Owens on BMW F650GS and F650 Dakar, who recently completed a round Australia trip with Wendy's father, Eric, on an F650 Dakar. (Wendy and Andrew are currently in South East Asia.) Their journey is a direct result of the 1st HU meeting where Wendy's apprehension to motorcycle travel was converted to 'I can do this'. As a new rider and bike owner she is now heading overland to the UK under the watchful eye of Andrew! Steve and Genelle Baldwin riding a BMW R1150 Adventurer are hoping to ship their bike to the UK and ride overland back to Australia. Since the meeting their horizons have grown to possibly include Russia. There were probably more budding overlanders there that we cannot recall, our appologies.

A break for a BBQ dinner preceded our slide show. Carol and I kicked off proceedings with our slide show of Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal. Kerstin and Volker were next with their photos of Europe, Russia, South East Asia and Australia. Unfortunately Alec Simpsons photo file was to large for the laptop so we have seconded him to appear next year to relay his journey through Russia.

It was a great night with plenty of laughs, exchanges of knowledge and experiences with like minded people.

A special thanks go to all our helpers.

Ron and Judy Durkin for supplying the laptop and expertise to work it.
Sam Gowland for ogranizing the data projector.
Mark Hosking for organizing the pre-registrations.
Bob and Sandra Farrell for carrying all the gear down to Ulmarra. Bob and Sandra are bicycle riders we met in Ireland in 1998 who we have recently converted from pedal-power to horsepower via a BMW R100RT. After the weekend Bob was contemplating the attributes of a G/S!!

Considering the short lead time for preparation (6 weeks) we feel the event was a success and everyone had a great time.

Is there anyone out there who would like to have a go at this next year? We can help.

Ken and Carol Duval"

I think the weekend was an outstanding success!

MANY thanks go to Ken and Carol, who stepped up when needed and made it happen!

2005 Meeting

If you can take the lead for next year, it would be much appreciated! Lots of people each with one small task makes it easy to get the meeting going, so please let me know if you can help with a particular task. The meeting doesn't have to be in Ulmarra, the location is flexible - reasonably easy for most Aussies to get to, good riding in the area, good campground and a place for slide shows and food is all we need.

Thanks, Grant