Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings
Seventh Annual Western Canada Travellers Meeting
19-22 June, 2008, Merritt BC
Why Come to a Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Meeting?
You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia,
or even around the world! Admit it, all your 'normal' friends and most of your family fears for your sanity! So, this is your
opportunity to meet the people who will encourage you in that craziness, share their experiences and advice on how to do it,
and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!
The Plan
The plan is simple. Show up on Thursday or at the latest
Friday afternoon, meet people and setup. Travel Presentations and Tech clinics are planned throughout the meeting, starting Thursday
night. Detailed Schedule here.
2008 Speakers and Tech Clinics (so far, more to come):
- The Achievable Dream
- Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
Learn from Horizons Unlimited's founders
and 11 year round-the-world veterans everything you need to know to ride to the next country or the next continent.
Sound scary? Get the inspiration and information so YOU can hit the road! In two parts.
- Traffic Safety Away From Home
- Ian Thomas, Canada (BC Safety Council)
Keeping the ride tuned to avoid collisions and crashes
- Another Cunning Plan
- Brendon and Natasha Ball "Smilemenders" UK
The first Cunning Plan involved a van, an aid journey and Chernobyl. We are now returning to Ukraine, the "wrong way round" it seems alright so far?
- UK to Iran and back
- Chris Stone, UK/Canada, R100GSPD
The trip started as UK to Nepal - oh! how it changed.
- Bike Prep
- Chris Stone, UK/Canada, R100GSPD
What do you need to do to your bike to travel - and what don't you need to do!
- Photo Composition for Travellers
- Grant Johnson, Canada
The one everyone SHOULD take, but no one does... We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This
easy clinic will transform your photos from boring to fabulous! There may also be an advanced class if enough interest - bring 10 photos on a USB key, CD or SD card for discussion and evaluation.
- Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Grant Johnson, Canada
How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. Grant's changed thousands, and
will show you all the secrets to make it easy. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires. Hand's
on practical, and tire changing contest for beginners to experts!
- 11 Years on the Road, RTW
- Grant Johnson
Grant and Susan's show of their RTW trip hasn't been seen since 2000, so due to popular demand - well one or two - it's been resurrected with loads of never seen before pictures.
- Prep your bike for the long trip!
- Grant Johnson, Canada
Is your bike ready for long distance travel? Grant will conduct a hands on assessment and discussion of bike set up, ergonomics and
prep, looking at YOUR bike.
- Off-road basics!
- Grant Johnson, Canada
Never ridden off-pavement? It's easy when you know how - and terrifying if you don't. We'll work on the basics to get you started right!
- Iceland
- Andy Miller, UK / Canada
A quick blast around Iceland, the land of fire and ice.
- Women only
- Group Discussion
A very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there!
How about you? We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and clinics - but we need
volunteers to give them! Any topic you can contribute having to do with motorcycle travel, maintenance, planning etc, lasting
20 minutes or more, would be great. Please contact me here to volunteer.
2007 Speakers and Tech Clinics were:
- Take Me Home, Katie, Part one
- Murray Castle, Canada
Travels in South & Central America, a greying babyboomer overcomes fears
and learns about Latin America and travelling solo
- Take Me Home, Katie, Part two
- Murray Castle, Canada
What to leave in, what to take out. Preparing for and travelling in South America.
- Iceland
- Andy Miller, UK,
A quick blast around Iceland, the land of fire and ice.
Around the World
- Mathias Schmid, Switzerland ,
Leaving home in 2005, Mathias has ridden through Europe, Asia and now the Americas.
- Bears!
- Trent Schumann, Canada,
Bear Safety for Wilderness Riders - Learn from a pro "How to Let Sleeping Bears Lie."
- The Achievable Dream
- Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
Learn from Horizons Unlimited's founders
and 11 year round-the-world veterans everything you need to know to ride to the next country or the next continent.
Sound scary? Get the inspiration and information so YOU can hit the road! In two parts: FRIDAY 10-12 and 1-3PM
- Rider Traffic Survival Skills
- Ian Thomas, Canada
Riding unfamiliar roads, in unfamiliar areas can lead to information overload and poor observation. Vehicle control skills are not the only means of keeping riders safe. This session is about getting there in one piece. Session will introduce riders to on-the-road observation and decision making skills that can enhance their bike control skills.
Photo Composition for Travellers
- Grant Johnson, Canada
The one everyone SHOULD take, but no one does... We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This
easy clinic will transform your photos from boring to fabulous! There may also be an advanced class if enough interest - bring 10 photos on a USB key or SD card for discussion.
- Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Grant Johnson, Canada
How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. Grant's changed thousands, and
will show you all the secrets to make it easy. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires. Hand's
on practical, and tire changing contest for beginners to experts!
- Prep your bike for the long trip!
- Grant Johnson, Canada
Is your bike ready for long distance travel? Grant will conduct a hands on assessment and discussion of bike set up, ergonomics and
prep, looking at YOUR bike.
- Off-road basics!
- Grant Johnson, Canada
Never ridden off-pavement? It's easy when you know how - and terrifying if you don't. We'll work on the basics to get you started right!
Women only
- Discussion led by Susan Johnson, Canada
A very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there!
- Motorcycle Therapy - A Canadian Adventure in Central America
- Jeremy Kroeker
An illustrated reading from the book "Motorcycle Therapy" by the Author.
 Leaving on a big trip in 2008?
Plan on leaving from the Meeting - we'll make it a great send-off! Or coming home around the time of the Meeting? What a great
place to arrive at!
Vendors
We would like to have a few more travel oriented vendors there. Vendors please contact
me for details.
There will be slide shows and clinics on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and all day on Saturday. Come
early and make it a great weekend! We recommend riding on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and participating in the clinics on
Saturday.
Rideouts
Rideouts - will be limited to 10 people per ride per group.
Ride leaders and sweep riders wanted! Contact Timo below.
Do-it-yourself Ride information.
to come - if you know of a good ride let us know!
Schedule
All times - and everything - approximate! 
An up-to-date schedule will be posted at the Meeting.
Thursday morning
CHECK-IN and sign up! You MUST be registered to go on a ride or for entry to any events, clinics etc.
Info for Thursday rides will be available on-site.
Friday
CHECK-IN and sign up! You MUST be registered to go on a ride or entry to any events, clinics etc.
9:00 Ride briefing. Be gassed up and ready to ride if you're going.
Friday night
7:00 pm
Speakers presentations start, so be sure you've eaten early!
Saturday morning
7:00 - 8:30 - Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 Late Check-in.
9:00 Ride briefing. Be gassed up and ready to ride if you're going.
Rideouts - off-road runs details to come.
Saturday Lunch
noon-ish! :) Feed yourself...
Saturday afternoon,
Rideouts
On road runs - we'll post a sheet of paper up for you to add your name to a destination, volunteers to lead appreciated!
Tech Clinic, details to come. If you want to volunteer to lead a clinic or breakout session, on any appropriate
topic, please contact us. We have had lots of interest in clinics, ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, on subjects from
GPS to packing lists to tire changing.
Saturday evening,
7:00 pm sharp:
Speakers presentations
9:00 Door prizes - you have to be there to win!
Sunday
Breakfast
Head for home, hang around and chat, or head out for a last ride!
Miscellaneous notes:
Organizers will be there most of
Thursday, hopefully Wednesday too, if anyone wishes to arrive early and just hang
out or go for a ride in the area.
Last presentation Saturday night will be a panel discussion with all the presenters - so this will be the last
chance to ask all those questions that have been bugging you!
Accommodation and meals are NOT included.
Not everyone wants to camp,
people have different budgets and comfort requirements. For the most fun, you want to be at the official HU Campground so you don't have to go looking for people to talk to.
Camping
C$15 per person per day, payable on the day to A-P Guest Ranch.
Food
We've learned over the years that some people wanted meals all organized,
others preferred to make their own arrangements or bring their own food.
For this year we have arranged meals with our hosts:
Breakfast & lunch: $9 each, served buffet style, with abundance of food.
Dinner: $18 and you won't go away hungry!
All meals per day, $36.
Please PRE-BOOK food either with your registration if camping, or with your room if booking a room. There will be limited amounts extra for late-comers available.
You can, of course, cook for yourself, or go to restaurants in Merritt (54km) or Princeton (38km).
Pre-Register and save $10!
Pre-registration fee C$40 per person, C$50 at the door.
Includes admission to all slide shows Thursday, Friday
and Saturday nights, Tech Clinics, Rideouts, and all
other HU events. Accommodation, camping and meals are NOT included.
Payment and Registration details BEFORE June 12, 2008,
1. Please fill in the form below and click the button below it. NOTE: Use one form per person!
2. You will shortly receive an e-mail confirmation. Check to ensure the details are correct. If you don't
receive an e-mail confirmation within a few minutes, it means your e-mail address wasn't correct, (or the Internet has eaten
your e-mail). Try again. A human being will actually get a copy of the e-mail, and we promise we won't sign you up multiple times.
;-)
3A. After you have filled in the form and submitted it, you will have an opportunity to pay by  .
OR:
3B. PRINT off the e-mail confirmation (or write it out by hand) and MAIL it with a check (in US$ or
CDN$)
made payable to Grant Johnson
(NOT Horizons Unlimited!!),
BEFORE June 12, 2008, to:
Grant Johnson
101-1184 Denman Street
Box #229
Vancouver, BC V6G 2M9
Canada
Payment and Registration details AFTER June 12, 2008
1. Please fill in this form below to let us know you're coming. NOTE the registration fee is + $10.00 at the door!
2. You will shortly receive an e-mail confirmation. Check to ensure the details are correct. If you don't receive an
e-mail confirmation within a few minutes, it means your e-mail address wasn't correct, (or the Internet has eaten your e-mail).
Try again. A human being will actually get a copy of the e-mail, and we promise we won't sign you up multiple times. ;-)
3. Print the emailed confirmation form and bring it to the meeting.
Membership - Show you're proud to be a Horizons Unlimited Traveller!
Just to clarify the membership situation: Currently there is no requirement to be a member to access the website, the HUBB or
to receive the monthly e-zine. For now, 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.
We will also upgrade your status in the HUBB to Member. In addition to recognising your contribution through your status,
this will allow you to upload a custom profile picture and custom avatar, store up to 50 private messages, upload more
pictures (10 MB maximum storage) and create polls.
Another benefit we can provide is if you decide you want a t-shirt, mug, fleece jacket or other Horizons logo product from the
Souk, you can purchase Member logo products at the basic price. Just let us know and we can arrange access to the Members
Private Store.
T-Shirt Deal
Top quality heavy cotton t-shirts in black, or grey if pre-ordered. We will have a range of sizes available, but
quantities will be very limited, so if you wait till the day, there might be none left in your size.
The new Synthetic t-shirts are in a beautifully made wicking material, and make great travel / riding t-shirts as well as all-round wear t-shirts. Available in black or grey at most meetings. MUST be pre-ordered.
Note that we will have a few black cotton t-shirts extra at each meeting, but anything else must be pre-ordered and paid in
advance.
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You can help!
If you have a few minutes, please download the posters ( Adobe pdf format) and print off a few and hand
them round your club or your local bike shop or anywhere seems like a good place.
Poster
in pdf format (886kb) full colour 2008 poster. (You may need to right click and choose "save target as...")
Thanks for the help!
The Meeting Location
Between Princeton and Merritt BC, Canada, on Highway 5A.
The "Official" Campground / Meeting spot / Rooms:
Highway 5A South - Merritt/Princeton Highway
Andre & Susan Patry
P.O. Box 1148,
Hwy 5A South
Merritt,
BC
Canada V1K 1B8
Phone: 1-250-378-6520
FAX: 250-378-3492
Email: apgu...@hotmail.com
A-P Guest Ranch website
Accomodation options:
Camping/tent space: $15 per day. Pay on the day.
Dorm room: 6 persons, $60 per person day, bring own bedding - meals included ($36 per day)
Dorm room: 6 persons, $70 per person day, bedding provided - meals included ($36 per day)
Bunk house and lodge: (4 person rooms) persons $160 per person day - meals included ($36 per day)
Lodge: 2 person or double room $190 per person day - meals included ($36 per day)
PRE-Book your room with the hotel! Be sure to tell them you're coming to the HU Meeting to get the good deal.
Location Map
Facilities:
- Old West Saloon
- Horseback trail riding
- Hay & Sleigh rides
- Wagon & Buggy rides
- Barbecues
- Country Western dances
- Western Weddings
- Youth Horsemanship
- Camps Pack Trips
- Riding Lessons
- Morgan Horses
- Mountain bike rentals & trails
- Fishing Scenic hiking trails
Other Accommodation
Possibilities
Plenty in Merritt, 54.4 km north, or Princeton, 38.4 km south.
Information about the area
Attractions include national parks all around, fantastic roads, lakes and more,
so plan to spend a few days!
Local Hosts
Contact Timo Scheiber (Timo...@brinkman.ca) for questions on presenters and local questions, meeting logistics etc.
For help on accommodation, contact the A-P Guest Ranch here
See you at a meeting this year!
Grant and Susan
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