Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers' Meeting, Ireland 2010

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!

Camping area.

Pre-Registration
- Pre-Register to attend the Meeting
- Present YOUR travel adventure!
- Present YOUR Tech Clinic - good at something of interest to motorcycle Travellers? Please do a Tech Clinic for us!
- Vendors! Register here
- Press! Magazine, newspaper, TV, radio etc with credentials, Register here
- Please Volunteer to help out! Odd jobs, registration, gate, etc. Just 2 hours of your time, and it's a great way to meet people! Register on this page and tick Volunteer box, OR here if you have already registered and want to add volunteering.
Meeting Location - Where is it?
Camping on site
Other Accommodation
Information about the area
Membership
Rides
Local hosts, information

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!" More comments here.

The Plan

The plan is simple. Show up on Friday afternoon, meet people and setup. Travel Presentations and Tech seminars are planned throughout the meeting, starting Friday night.

2010 Speakers and Tech Seminars (so far, MUCH more to come):

Norway
- Marcus Potts
  Norway is amazing... you can ride all day and still see where you were this morning! How? Come and find out!
Panamericana
- Paul Browne and Maeve Peoples
  To the end of the World
Paddys on the Piste
- Daithi Wright
  Tales of three Irish lads on trail bikes in Morocco.
Dakar Dreamers
- Orla McClean
  Chasing the Dakar Rally 2009 in South America
Three Cups of Tea
- Stephen Baker
  Seattle to Bogota with panniers full of tea bags
Patagonia
- Matt Bailey
  Patagonian travels with a lot of stuff from Africa, and the rest of the Americas thrown in
Travels in Llama Land
- Chris Smith and Liz Peel
  Through the Andes and crossing the Southwest Loop. A photographer on the road...
South Africa
- Simon Huddart
  Easy South Africa
Bike to Bike Communication
- David Kyle
  "I pulled over in a parking lot just past the border and as I was turning round she rode right past, never even saw me! Two days later I found her... was she pissed! Guess we should have had bike - bike radios huh?"
An Irish man that doesn't drink?!
- Liam McCabe
  Making it up as you go along.
North East Vietnam
- Dave Flooks
  Travelling around north east Vietnam on a 200 Honda
Overland to India
- Joe "The Celt" Walsh
  Solo overland to India, search of the past
Stretch the body and RIDE
- Francis Maxey
  Non sweaty physical exersises for riding further or de cramping.
Morocco
- Drew Millar
Panel - volunteers please!

How to get someone of the opposite sex to go travelling with you - panel and discussion. Why is it so hard? What are you doing wrong - or right? All viewpoints please!

Women only
- a very popular session - I'm told it's a must for the ladies, so be sure to plan on being there! Don't miss a chance to talk to experienced travelling women without the men around.

Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Grant Johnson, Canada
  Workshop
- 'Basic Guide to changing and maintaining tyres.' 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. Bring your changing / patching kit with you! Hand's on practical, try it yourself. (we hope!)
Changing a Tyre, tech sesssion UK 2009
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 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.
Ergonomics - making your bike work for you.
- Grant Johnson, Canada
  Your bike was put together by a pimply faced yoof who probably can't even ride... So how's he going to make sure it fits YOU?
Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!
and more to come as we get closer to the date.
How about you? We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and seminars - 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.

To give you an idea of what we plan to have for you, here's some of the seminars for one of last years Meetings:

Every country in the world
- Peter and Kay Forwood, Australia
  All 193 countries on a Harley in 13 years, the Challenges, Enjoyments and Logistics of Visiting Every Country
Sjaak Lucassen, Netherlands, RTW on an R1; will team up with Peter and Kay to present a unique take on travelling the world, on two very opposite - but highly successful - bikes.
Ted Simon
The start... Jupiters Travels, NEW film and slides
- Ted Simon, UK / USA
  An expanded account of the beginning of the first journey, and much more
Africa Solo: The Long Way Around
- Werner Bausenhart, Canada (Ireland) in English or German
  A Circumnavigation of Africa from London via Cape Town back to London. Werner will have some of his books too.
15.000km Down Under with 3 Triumph Tigers
- Wilco Vonk and Frank van Gerwen - TigerRaid
  A story and a double DVD movie about 3 guys and 1 girl doing 15.000km in 8 weeks through the Red Centre and the Westcoast of Australia
The Achievable Dream
- Grant Johnson, Canada, R80G/S
  TBA!
With Enfield Diesel to Lake Aral and back
- Gerben from Holland
  nearly 20.000 km in 5 Weeks -Tashkent, Usbekistan, Turkmenistan
Vietnam and Laos
- Peter Kongsbak, Denmark
  Riding around Vietnam and Laos on a Minsk Motorcycle
Offroad travelling and taking "Enduro" seriously
- Stephan Eichenlaub
  From traveller to sport rider and back: The fascination of trying the "impossible": Riding the big KTM twin on a rallye and on the Enduromania. Travel by bike, change tyres and be ready for action.
An Enfield in India
- Jörn Buchleitner, Ireland
  A quick 3 weeks on a rented Enfield through India, tips and tricks.
Dakar Rally 2009 the easy way
- Jens Ruprecht, Ireland
  Argentina/Chile and the Dakar Rally 2009 on a 125cc Suzuki
Morocco: safe, exciting and inexpensive
- Tim Cullis, UK
  Overview and hidden/special places (NOTE: Friday night only)
Panel - volunteers please!

How to get someone of the opposite sex to go travelling with you - panel and discussion. Why is it so hard? What are you doing wrong - or right? All viewpoints please!

Women only
- 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!
- Doris Wiedemann will lead the session, with an introduction into travelling as a woman.

Fix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere
- Workshop
  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. Hand's on practical and tire changing contest for beginners to expert

Diesel Bike Workshop
- Peter Selzer, Ireland
  Interested in better fuel mileage? Find out from an expert!
How to write and publish your travel book!
- Jens Ruprecht, Ireland
  Want to get your story published and on Amazon? Jens did it, and here's how!
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 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.
Experienced Travellers Panel - ask the experts anything you want!

Schedule will be posted here 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.

There will be slide shows and talks Friday and Saturday night, as well as all Saturday morning and afternoon, so come early and make it a great weekend! We recommend planning on riding Friday and Sunday, and leaving time for Seminars all day Saturday.

Rideouts

Rideouts are limited to 6 or 10 people per ride, no exceptions.

Ride Out Coordinator / Leader: Brian McGirr of http://www.trailbikeireland.co.uk/

All rides are Saturday, 10:00 to 4:00 approximately.

Road Rides - two planned, details to come.

Off-road - we could use some help - any ideas, locations, routes, off-road tracks?

There will be a £5 per head donation to a local charity.

All rides are "register on the day." There will be signup sheets for each ride posted the evening before. First in best dressed.

Charity

Last year we raised almost £2000 for Riders for Health or Motorcycle Outreach, through the sale of raffle tickets and the generous donation of prizes from all the vendors on site and from afar at our HU Meetings worldwide. Many thanks to everyone, let's hope we can raise even more this year. And if you'd like to donate a prize, please contact Grant.

Free stuff - A 'Scratch Patch'

We all know how expensive these overland travel dreams can be, but also how you often manage to accumulate travel equipment and bits and pieces that just end up gathering dust. That thingiemabob that you have been meaning to give away for ages could be exactly what some broke newbie is in need of before a first trip.

The 'Scratch Patch' is a place where people can put those extra inner tubes for the bike that they already sold but forgot to give to the new owner (clearly labelled as to size of course ); that jerry can that you bought that doesn't fit your mountings; that Lonely Planet for Mongolia - anything that might be a big help to someone else.

(of course, anything that does not find a home by the end of the weekend will need to be reclaimed)"

Bring your left-over/unwanted junk - oops, I mean, Good Stuff! :)

Camping

Camping is £6 per tent for the weekend. NO 4 wheeled vehicles in the main camping fields, there will be an area specifically for you.

Dogs - Noisy dogs will be ejected.

Travel Equipment Vendors

We're looking for Travel Equipment vendors to come and display your products, and sell as well. Please contact Grant.

Books - get your signed copy direct from the Author!

anyone else?

Leaving on a big trip in 2010?

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!

Schedule

All times - and everything - approximate!

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

Friday

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

09:00 Ride briefing. Be gassed up and ready to ride if you're going.

Friday night

Dinner 18:00, £8 ordered in advance

19:00 Speakers presentations start sharp at 19:00, so be sure you've eaten early!

Saturday morning

8:00 - Breakfast, £5 ordered in advance

8:30 - 9:00 Late Check-in.

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

Saturday Lunch

Local restaurants, ask on the day

Saturday afternoon,

Rideouts - details here if you're riding on your own.

Be fueled up and ready to ride if you're going.

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 Seminars in the afternoon. If you want to volunteer to lead a seminar or breakout session, on any appropriate topic, please contact us. We have had lots of interest in seminars, ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, on subjects from GPS to packing lists to tire changing.

Saturday dinner

Barbeque! Sausage, burger, chicken with pasta/salad and chips and coffee/tea and biscuits. £12 ordered in advance

19:00 sharp:

Speakers presentations

21:00 (not sharp) - Door prizes - you have to be there to win!

Sunday

Breakfast served from 8:00, £5

Miscellaneous notes:

Organizers will be there most of Friday so turn up any time that day. Extra hands to help set up will be most welcome!

Registration

Entry fee includes admission to the slide shows on Friday and Saturday night, and other events during the day Friday and Saturday. Camping for Friday and Saturday night is only £6 per tent.

Accommodation and meals are NOT included.

How to Pay

Please PRE-BOOK by filling in the form below and click the "Count me in" button below it. NOTE: Use one form per person!

Option 1. Pay by PayPal

a. 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. ;-)

b. After you have filled in the form and submitted it, you will have an opportunity to pay by . Please be careful calculating the amount, the form isn't that smart yet!

OR:

Option 2. Pay by cheque

a. 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. ;-)

b. PRINT THAT EMAIL (or write out the important bits by hand if you don't have a printer) and MAIL it with a cheque in GBP OR Euros, made payable to Horizons Unlimited,
and mail to:

Grant Johnson
Suite 621
24 St. Leonards Road
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 3BB
UK

Sorry, PRE-registration is now closed. There are still spaces available, just show up and sign in on the day.

See you there!

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

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.

(You may need to right click and choose "save target as...")

Poster in pdf format, (500kb) full colour Event poster.

Thanks for the help!

The Meeting Location

Getting There - GPS, Maps

Enniskillen, Northern Ireland

Google Map to the Meeting.

Note: You're looking for "Cavancarragh" which is in the extreme top left corner - Google maps don't always align correctly. :( The larger version is better. View Larger Map

Postcode: BT94 5GU

Irish National Grid : IH 29420 44376
British National Grid : NV 39615 08832
Lat / Lon hddd.ddddd : N54.34723 W7.54839

Mapsource gdb file

Mapsource Map

Click the map above for a larger version.

Distances from:

Belfast approx. 80 miles on the motorway, or 95 miles on more interesting roads.
Dublin approx. 105 miles
Larne (Ferry) approx 100 miles

Getting there over the water:

"We suggest contacting Rita Ganghi of Nutt Travel at: +44-(0)2870-351199 or mobile: +44 (0)7545 745791. Ask for Rita and be sure to mention "Horizons Unlimited" to get a special deal just for us. They invariably have cheaper ferry deals than even the ferry companies themselves."

If you have any links or details for the area please let us know.

Other Accommodation Possibilities

If you have any information for the area please let us know.

Westville Hotel, 4*

Information about the area

Fermanagh Lakelands Info
Discover Northern Ireland Info site

If you have any more links or details for the area please let us know.

Local Hosts

Thanks go to Drew and Liam for volunteering to bring Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings to Ireland!

If you have any questions, contact with rideout registration, vendor, venue and speakers questions.

See you at a meeting this year!

Grant and Susan

Add comments and discuss getting there etc here