Horizons Unlimited - the motorcycle travel website - E-zine, Bulletin Board, Community, tips, info.

Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting

Tenth Anniversary Western Canada Meeting

Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada
August 25-28, 2011

in cooperation with
Quality Touring equipment worldwide.
Subscribe to the Ezine
Search 

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!

Bike ergonomics at HU Canada 2009 meeting.

Learning how to improve bike ergonomics at HU Canada 2009 meeting


How you can help - put up a few posters! NEW Poster available! Event poster available! Please post it everywhere!

Want to know what people thought of other HU Meetings? Is it worth coming to the Meeting?

"I'm so looking forward to another UK meet. My only problem is that I simply can't get to every talk I want, such is the amount of terrific presentations on offer. Each year I've been astonished at how articulate, intelligent, informative and entertaining the speakers are. I'm willing to help with anything that doesn't keep me from a talk - and my timetable will be full to bursting!"

Last years - 2010 - CanWest Meeting comments and photos on the HUBB here.

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. More Detailed Schedule here.

We can always use some help! If you want to assist, please sign up to volunteer to assist on the day or here for advance work or to ask questions. Thanks!

 

2011 Speakers and Tech Clinics (so far, more to come):

Get Inspired!

  • Tajikistan
    • Rene Cormier, Canada
      The most epic riding place you've never heard of. You just haveta go...
  • Reconnecting With Canada: The North
    • Joe and Flora Lloyd, Canada
      A crew of four brave souls, two motorcycles and support, battle the elements, and their own wits, as they cross northern Canada to Tuktoyaktuk. 10,000 kilometers of winter conditions, ice roads and mind numbing adventure.
  • Because I Can!
    • Sherri Jo Wilkins
      Why am I traveling around the world? Because I can... currently 30 countries complete and about the 1/2 way mark now... From Australia, across Russia including the Road of Bones.
  • 3 Months in South America
  • Chile to Canada via Florida, missing out a few important countries along the way
    • Trevor "Skip" and Rachel Skipsey, Australia
      Chile to Canada, 3 bikes, unusual detours and all the techy stuff you would like to know
  • Northern Vietnam, Seattle to the Arctic Ocean (Dempster Highway), and Baja with the Chihuahua named Ducati
    • Mike and Shannon Mills, USA
      Sustainable Unaccountability: How we make motorcycle adventure touring happen amidst a normal life of careers, mortgages, and student loans.
  • Grade 7
    • Mercedes and Erik Rajmoolie and Jerome Levesque
      Unusual family trading bungalow for tent and hammock around the Americas
  • High heels and Motorbikes
    • Adrienne Denham
      South America on a Suzuki - solita.
  • Iceland!
    • Andy Miller, UK/Canada
      Riding the land of ice and snow.
  • Bumbling (and sloshing) around Australia
    • Robert Thode
      Shipped two bikes to Australia and Martha and I rode for 7 weeks in Nov. & Dec. during many flood events. Then son Ryan and I returned for three weeks in May. What to expect if you want to ride Australia.
  • Horizons Unlimited - You can do it, we can help!
    • Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
      How it all began, the story of Grant and Susan's trip around the world, without a plan or a clue! Plus the origins of Horizons Unlimited, what's on the site and how to find your way around it, and more...

Learn

  • Basic Roadside Repair
    • Kevan Ibbotson, Canada
      The English would call it bodger repair or us Canadians might call it a "farmer fix" but basically it means "How do I get my bike back on the road so I can get to the next town with a qualified mechanic to get it fixed properly". Designed for the novice rider who has little mechanical skills and who is concerned about having to make that dreaded roadside repair. Does duct tape or WD 40 actually fix everything? No, but you'd be surprised what will plug a leaking radiator. We will go over basic mechanical applications of the motorcycle: fuel, electrical and cooling systems, and how to diagnose their failure. What tools and repair materials to carry with you and how to use them to find out why your bike has quit working. More importantly we will review how to use on hand items to get yourself back on the road.
  • Planning the big one
  • Riding Skills Session
    • Michael Fodor, Canada
      How to get the wrong bike into the wrong kinds of places!
  • Preventing Further Injury
    • Rick Wallace
      How to protect yourself and the injured in the chaos of a crash scene and beyond.
  • Managing Your Money While You Travel
    • Richard Sherry, Canada
      Casting yourself into the great vastness of motorcycle travelling means lots of fund and memories. But money is the fuel that keeps the gas tank and belly full, and puts a roof over your head. This presentation will give you practical ideas for managing your money while you are "out there."
  • Bears, a humorous insight into the do's and don'ts!
    • Nevil Stow, Canada,
      Putting you and bears into perspective from a motorcycle camping stand point."
      Nevil has worked as a Mountain Guide in the past in the Banff area. He has encountered many bears during his 14 years in Canada and,while he is not a biologist or any other form of "ologist", would like to share his knowledge and experiences gained in the field with anyone who could be bothered to listen!
  • Your NEW bike doesn't fit you!
    • Grant Johnson
      Ergonomics! When you pickup your new bike, did they take the time to make it fit you? You'll learn the amazing difference a properly setup bike makes to your riding fun.
  • Photo Composition for Travellers
    • Grant Johnson
      Transform your photos from boring to fabulous! We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This easy clinic will transform your motorcycle travel photos from boring to fabulous! BRING your photos on a CD or Flash Drive, max 10, and we'll critique and discuss YOUR photos - what's good, and what's not - and how they could be improved.
  • Women only
    • Led by Susan Johnson; a very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! A chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around!
  • Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
    • Workshop, Grant Johnson
      How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires.
    • Tire Changing clinic
      Changing a Tyre, UK Tech session 2009

  • Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!

and more to come! 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.

HU Canada 2008 Meeting.

2010 Speakers and Tech Clinics were:

  • Get Inspired!

    • Around the World
      • Rene Cormier (Thursday evening only)
        A four-year, 154 000 kilometre, around-the-world motorcycle odyssey aboard a BMW F650. Rene says: "it's easier - and more fun - than you might think."
    • Around the World - Mongolian Madness
      • Tiffany Coates, UK
        Around the world on an R80GS - and she didn't know how to ride until weeks before leaving!
    • Riding South!
      • Ekke and Audrey Kok, Canada
        Munich to Cape Town on an F650GS and an R100GS. Originally intended to be an RTW from North to South it ended up being a great adventure in Africa!
    • Traveling With Limited Cubic Centimeters
      • Joel Juergens
        The challenges of setting up and traveling on a small motorcycle.
    • Taking it Easy in Central and Northern Europe
      • Alec Bialski
        R&R in Germany, Czech Rep. Poland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark
    • Surviving West Africa in a Nutshell
      • Craig Wake, USA
        Do's, Don'ts and How Not to's of a 14,000 mile trip through West Africa.
    • Texas to Alaska in 3 Months
      • Brian Setzer, "minerguy" USA
        Taking my time and photos heading north.
    • Viva Mexico
      • Dave Mumper, USA
        Beautiful country, friendly people and challenges to fit any desire
    • AWOL South of the Border
      • Michelle Eisele, "Scrabblebiker"
        3 months through Central America, Mexico and Western USA.
    • UK to Middle East and back?
      • Chris Stone UK/Canada
        The original plan was to ride UK to Nepal to meet some friends for a beer - how things changed...
    • Bumbling Around South America plus, part II
      • Robert Thode
        Last Jan /Feb I rode six weeks in SA then put moto in storage. Part II is from Argentina north, through Central America and Mexico to home (Washington).
    • South America
    • Alaska to Panama and beyond
      • Dom Giles, UK
        Three weeks into my trip this presentation will explain how I got here, my first impressions of North America and what I've (already) learnt about long distance motorbike trips.
    • Horizons Unlimited - You can do it, we can help!
      • Grant and Susan Johnson, Canada
        How it all began, the story of Grant and Susan's trip around the world, without a plan or a clue! Plus the origins of Horizons Unlimited, what's on the site and how to find your way around it, and more...

    Learn

    • Planning the big one
    • Ethical Travel
      • Alec Bialski
        A discussion about moral and ethical obligation of a traveller. Is it important?
    • Bears!
      • Trent Schumann, Canada,
        Bear Safety for Wilderness Riders - Learn from a pro "How to Let Sleeping Bears Lie."
    • Bear Safety Skills for Motorcycle Campers
      • Barry Williscroft
        A review of camping attitudes, methods, and skills for minimizing bear encounter risk. "Geared" to the needs and behaviour of motorcycle campers.
    • Cook with an aluminum can!
      • Barry Williscroft
        Making highly effective, extremely light, cheap, foolproof alcohol stoves out of aluminum cans. A useful skill to know for any camper. Learn to do this fast, with only two cans and a pocket knife. Hands on, make one in 15 minutes, make coffee with it.
      Basic Roadside Repair
      • Kevan Ibbotson, Canada
        The English would call it bodger repair or us Canadians might call it a "farmer fix" but basically it means "How do I get my bike back on the road so I can get to the next town with a qualified mechanic to get it fixed properly". Designed for the novice rider who has little mechanical skills and who is concerned about having to make that dreaded roadside repair. Does duct tape or WD 40 actually fix everything? No, but you'd be surprised what will plug a leaking radiator. We will go over basic mechanical applications of the motorcycle: fuel, electrical and cooling systems, and how to diagnose their failure. What tools and repair materials to carry with you and how to use them to find out why your bike has quit working. More importantly we will review how to use on hand items to get yourself back on the road.
    • Your NEW bike doesn't fit you!
      • Grant Johnson
        Ergonomics! When you pickup your new bike, did they take the time to make it fit you? You'll learn the amazing difference a properly setup bike makes to your riding fun.
    • Photo Composition for Travellers
      • Grant Johnson, Canada
        Transform your photos from boring to fabulous! We all want to take great photos of our trip - so why don't we? This easy clinic will transform your motorcycle travel photos from boring to fabulous! BRING your photos on a CD or Flash Drive, max 10, and we'll critique and discuss YOUR photos - what's good, and what's not - and how they could be improved.
    • Women only
      • Led by Susan Johnson; a very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! A chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around!
    • Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
      • Workshop, Grant Johnson
        How to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one. The best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires.
      • Tire Changing clinic
        Changing a Tyre, UK Tech session 2009

    • Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!
Up to top of page

Leaving on a big trip in 2011?

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

Anderwerks is planning on coming, and bringing a truck and trailer if you want him to bring you anything like tires, oil, parts etc! Contact Dave if you want anything!

We would like to have more travel oriented vendors there. Vendors please contact me for details.

Rideouts

This whole area is full of amazing roads! See Destination Highways for a book on BC Roads - some of the best are right near Nakusp.

Rideouts - will be limited to 10 people per ride per group.

Ride leaders and sweep riders wanted! Contact Ekke below.

Do-it-yourself Ride information.

to come - if you know of a good ride let us know!

Schedule will be posted here, with a print version as well, when it's ready...

...so check back and plan what you want to see. The schedule is subject to change, so don't hold our feet to the fire - stuff happens! But we will try very hard to ensure that it goes off as planned. Check the latest schedule to be posted at the meeting on the day.

All times - and everything - approximate! big grin!

An up-to-date schedule will be posted at the Meeting.

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.

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.

5:00 pm Dinner at the campground

6:30 pm Presentations in the evening.

Friday

CHECK-IN and sign up! You MUST be registered to go on a ride or entry to any events, clinics etc.

9:00 AM Ride briefing. Be gassed up and ready to ride if you're going.

Friday night

5:00 pm Dinner at the campground

6:30 pm

Speakers presentations start, so be sure you've eaten early!

Saturday morning

Breakfast you're on your own - check with Ekke and organsiers for the best spots.

9:00 AM 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 Clinics all afternoon, schedule and details to come at the event. 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,

5:00 pm Dinner at the campground

6:30 pm sharp:

Speakers presentations

9:00 Door prizes - you have to be there to win!

Sunday

Breakfast in town

Head for home, hang around and chat, or head out for a last ride!

Miscellaneous notes:

Organizers will be there all of Thursday, hopefully Wednesday too, if anyone wishes to arrive early and just hang out or go for a ride in the area.

Up to top of page

HU Canada 2008 Meeting attendees.

Some HU Canada 2008 Meeting attendees.

Camping

You will want to be at the official HU Campground so you don't have to go looking for people to talk to. Details and location below.

Pre-Register and save $10!

Pre-registration fee C$45 per person, C$55 at the door. Includes admission to all slide shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Tech Clinics, Rideouts, and all other HU events. Meals are NOT included. Camping is NOT included. Camping is a very special price for us of $6 per tent per night, payable on check-in. (Regular price is $19-$27).

Up to top of page

Sorry, you're too late to register! BUT, there is still room - so come on along and register on the day!

 

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 Contributing or Gold Member. In addition to recognising your contribution through your status, this will allow you to upload a custom profile picture and custom avatar, store more private messages, upload more pictures, add events to the calendar and create polls.

If you wish to buy a t-shirt, mug, fleece jacket or other Horizons logo product from the Souk, you can purchase Member or Gold Member logo products at the basic price. Just let us know and we can arrange access to the Members Private Store.

Note that new Memberships with your Meeting Registration are applied as of the Meeting date or as soon as possible thereafter, not earlier, unless you make a special request in the Comments box when you register.

T-Shirt Deal

Cotton: Top quality heavy cotton t-shirts in black or grey.

Synthetic: (Dri-Fit) 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 a variety of colours at most meetings, and always black or grey. The order section will list the colours available.

Note that we will have a very few t-shirts extra at each meeting, but very limited - we can't carry many! So please pre-order and pay in advance so you can be sure of getting what you want.

2012 Tshirt slogan "The open road is calling, and I have a world to ride!"

Back:

(large, full back)

The open road is calling, and I have a world to ride!

Front:

Front 'Pocket patch' logo on all tshirts

Up to top of page

You can help!

If you have a few minutes, please download the poster ( 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 (500kb) full colour Event poster. (You may need to right click and choose "save target as...")

Thanks for the help!

The Meeting Location

Nakusp, BC

Nakusp is located 47 km. (29 miles) north of New Denver on Highway 6. Nakusp Airport is located 3km north of town. See map below.

Driving Distance / Time to Nakusp:
From Distance Google Time
Vancouver 664km 7:58
Seattle via Abbotsford: 481 miles 9:12
  via I-90 east: 533 miles 9:40
Calgary 511km 6:43
Edmonton via Hwy 2 S: 805km 9:35
  via BC-Yellowhead / Hwy 16W: 920km 11:11
Missoula MT 448 miles 8:18
Denver CO 1341 miles 20:29
San Francisco 1127 miles 20:24

NOTE: If you're coming from the USA, some of the more remote, smaller border posts close at 5PM.

The "Official" Campground / Meeting spot / Rooms:

Nakusp campground

We have an area reserved just for us, so just show up, no need to reserve in advance. Thursday through Saturday night.

Camping is a very special price for us of $6 per tent per night, payable on check-in. (Regular price is $19-$27).

Campground entrance: N 50º 14.624 W 117º 48.421

Nakusp Location Map

Up to top of page

Facilities etc in the area:

Hot Springs

Nakusp Hotsprings and Halcyon Hotsprings are closeby, and there are a number of free bush hotsprings too.

Other Accommodation Possibilities

There are a few hotels within walking distance.

Travel BC Accommodation guide for the area
Nakusp Chamber of Commerce Information site

Riders Retreat (250)265-8043, Rebecca. "Motorcyclists accomodations!"

Information about the area

Attractions include national parks all around, fantastic roads that are easily among the best in the world, beautiful lakes and more, so plan to spend a few days!

This whole area is full of amazing roads! See Destination Highways for a book on BC Roads - some of the best are right near Nakusp.

The village of Nakusp Information
BC Adventure Tourism site

Nakusp and District Visitor Info Centre
92 West 16th Avenue
P. O. Box 387,
Nakusp, BC V0G 1R0
Telephone: (250) 265-4234 • Fax: (250) 265-3808 • Toll Free: 1-800-909-8819

Local Hosts

Contact for questions on presenters and local questions, meeting logistics etc. Thanks to Ekke and Audrey, and Andy and Luciana Miller for all their help!

See you at a meeting this year!

Grant and Susan

Editors note:
We accept no responsibility for any of the above information in any way whatsoever. You are reminded to do your own research. Any commentary is strictly a personal opinion of the person supplying the information and is not to be construed as an endorsement of any kind.
Top of page Top Home
Shop the Souk Grant & Susan's RTW Trip HUBB Community Travellers' Stories
Trip Planning Books Links Search Privacy Policy Advertise on HU

Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact Horizons Unlimited.
All text and photographs are copyright © Grant and Susan Johnson, 1987-, or their respective authors. All Rights Reserved.