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!
Robbinsville, North Carolina, USA, July 17-20, 2008
The plan is simple. Show up on Thursday or at the latest Friday afternoon, meet people and setup. Travel Presentations
and Tech seminars are planned throughout the meeting, starting Thursday night.
2008 Speakers:
The Achievable Dream
Grant Johnson, Canada
Learn from Horizons Unlimited's founder
and 11 year round-the-world veteran 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:10-12 and 1-3PM.
Backpackers, Baboons, BMW's and Bushcamps
Denis and Linda Blaise, USA
4,000 miles on rented F650's through South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Colonial Mexico, and Mexico's Copper Canyon
Merrill Glos, USA
The Colonial cities of the Sierra Nevadas - awesome riding country with lots to see!
Two Bikes In A Canoe
Denis and Linda Blaise, USA
Florida to Guatemala via Belize and Mexico
My one year around the Americas - in 2 years
Jacob Sherman
My plan for one year around the Americas became an adventure of a lifetime when I broke my leg in Baja.
11,000 miles to see a sign
Curtis Nugent
Solo to the Circle (finishing at the meeting!)
Around the Block 2007 (Milestones for a 17 year old)
Toby (and Sara) Shannon
The concept of RTW or shorter bike trips as a "coming of age" mile marker for a young man with his father. Luke turned 17 (in Cuzco) on this moto trip Peru-Brazil-Bolivia-Peru, 10,000 km in 42 days on a 250cc.
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. (if we have time)
Central Mexico, 14,000ft mtn passes to 300ft coastal sand dunes
Lee Allison, USA
Join Gerardo Ibarra, Bruce "gaspipe" Crawford and Leebob exploring central Mexico from 14,000ft and down down down to the sea we go.
Central America
Jeff Munn, USA, presented by Charles Twyman
Central America to the Darien Gap, Virginia to the Darien and back
Mexico, Belize and Guatemala
Mike Kilpatrick, USA
"Just because you've got the latest HU Meeting tee-shirt doesn't mean you're ready to cross borders."
how about you?? Let
us know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted for these and any other subjects you'd like to talk about! It's
easy and fun, and we'll help you out.
2008 Tech clinics, Saturday/Saturday night:
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 and
prep, looking at YOUR bike.
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.
Laptops and How to Stay Digitally Connected
Jay Kannaiyan, USA
Mini laptops that are travel friendly, how to effectively use internet cafes in 3rd world countries. SIM cards and other forms of communication like Skype for free calls back home.
Health Tips for International Travelers
Stan Polanski, Physician Assistant, USA
How to stay one step ahead of infectious diseases on your travels.
Off-road Basics
Lee Allison and Grant Johnson
We'll do a beginners session for those who've never ridden off-road, or had a bad time when they did. Low speed CONTROL, even for street bikes, will be the focus. Tight feet up u-turns with ease, and how NOT to hit the rock in the road.
how about you?? Let
us know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted for these and any other subjects you'd like to talk about! It's
easy and fun, and we'll help you out.
Let us
know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted for these and any other subjects you'd like to talk about! It's easy
and fun, and we'll help you out.
Let's hear about YOUR trip!
Volunteers for anything else? Some suggested subjects:
First Aid for travellers
Laptops, uploads, files, communications on the road...
GPS
how about you?? Let
us know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted for these and any other subjects you'd like to talk about! It's
easy and fun, and we'll help you out.
There will be slide shows Friday and Saturday night, so come early and make it a great weekend! We will have a
DVD or two and loads of opportunity to talk Thursday night.
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!
"The ride mapped out is 140+/- miles. It is very tight both gravel and paved roads for the most part except for a couple
6-8 miles sections. There will be a number of 'bail out' points to return to Ironhorse. Best suited for XR650, KLR, 640 Adventure,
DR650, DRZ400. I have ridden all these roads on 950 Adventure as well and the big Tigers, GS's etc should be fine for anyone but
novice off-roaders. All on roads, no single track. Plan on min moving time of 4-5 hours. The roads are tight and mostly 2-3-4
gear stuff."
Russ Corn has volunteered to lead a ride! Thanks Russ!
And there'll be more too! Book your place as soon as you get there, numbers will be limited.
Friday night
6:00PM
Dinner
7:00 pm
Speakers presentations
Saturday morning - late check in
8 - 10 am - Breakfast
10:00 - Self-guided Ride details (see sheets at check-in for times for guided rides) and tech sessions.
Local riders have put a lot of effort into planning some great rides, so
get on the lists early!
We also hope to have a few travel oriented vendors there, so
a great opportunity to have a good look at the latest goodies. Vendors please contact me for details.
Volunteers wanted to conduct tech sessions - please contact me here
Saturday night,
6:00 pm Dinner (Buffet)
7:00 pm
Speakers presentations
Sunday,
Time to slowly ride off into the sunset, err, rise...
Miscellaneous notes:
Organisers will be there starting late Wednesday, if anyone wishes to arrive early and just hang out.
Accommodation and meals are NOT included.
Not everyone wants to camp, people have different budgets and comfort requirements. Also, some people showed up
on Friday, some on Saturday. So this year, instead of us try to organize and require you to pre-register for all these possibilities,
we're making the pricing as simple as possible, and giving you the links to information about accommodation options, ranging
from camping and hostels to hot springs resorts. We have negotiated special prices for the camping and rooms for the weekend.
For the most fun, you want to be at the "official HU Campground" - that's the IronHorse Lodge - so you don't have to
go looking for people to talk to.
We learned last year that some people wanted meals organized, others preferred to make their own arrangements or
bring their own food. So, there will be one main dinner on Friday and Saturday nights before the slide shows. The price is approximately
$12-15. This meal is optional, if people prefer to make their own arrangements that's okay too. Be sure to sign up for meals
on arrival.
Iron Horse will be serving for all meals, so no problem getting something to eat at the Meeting site.
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.
2009 Tshirt slogan "They told me to get lost - so I did!"
2009 T-shirt slogan:
2009 Front Pocket:
The front pocket's a lot smaller in relation to the back of course! :)
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.
2008
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 for 2004-8
Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, Cabins and Campground
1755 Lower Stecoah Road,
Robbinsville
North Carolina 28771
Iron Horse is located in Graham County, North
Carolina, on Lower Stecoah Road just north off Highway 28.
A short 30 minute ride to the Tail of the Dragon at Deals
Gap and the scenic Cherohala Skyway, two of the best motorcycle destinations
in the United States.
Note: Camping is NOT included with your admission to the meeting. Reservations for
camping (not required, but requested) and cabins, bunkhouse,
rent-a-tent, (REQUIRED)
here.
Book EARLY!
Other accommodation possibilities are a little ways away - details to come.
Can you supply us with links, and other info on the places
to ride, and interesting things to see in the area? Let
us know here.
Ironhorse is in Graham County, NC. www.grahamchamber.com promotes
the county and has driving directions to Graham County from
Asheville, Atlanta and Knoxville. Even though the directions
are not directly to Ironhorse, this site might
be useful.
Great information on the "Tail of the Dragon" -
otherwise known as US129, near Deal's Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles, can be
found on the "official" Tail
of the Dragon website. An awesome road! We will have a few maps from the
website, but it would be wise to print your own in advance. Available
here. There is also info on Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway and 2 Dual Sport
rides.
North Carolina's 'Scenic Byways' website has a lot of great
information on various scenic roads in North Carolina. They also sent Karen a book she says is great.
It will be on display at the Meeting. Viewable
online in pdf format or can be ordered from
their website for only $5.00 each.
Great whitewater rafting is available nearby at Wildwater
Rafting, and also at The
Falling Waters Adventure Resort there's
whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
Wheels Through Time Museum a
"35-year collection of rare American motorcycles and automobiles...230-vehicle collection in the lovely community
of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, located just a few miles off of I-40 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Maggie
Valley is a quiet community of 400 people nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains." Owner Dale Walksler has very
generously donated door prizes for our meeting, and wants to invite you to come visit the museum - he'll be delighted to meet you!
Local Hosts
Jim and Liz Donaldson are co-organizers of this event. The Horizons Unlimited events couldn't happen without the support
of the local organisers and other helpers, and we greatly appreciate their assistance and support - please be sure to thank
them too!
If you have any questions, they can be contacted here:
live in the area, so have lots of "local knowledge" if you have any questions.
And a special thanks to all the local sponsors and supporters!
Ghost Town Harley-Davidson "Western North Carolina's only source for authorized Harley-Davidson® sales, service and accessories."
Atlanta Triumph Ducati in
Atlanta, GA. - " a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts to hang out and discuss bikes with like
minded fanatics."
Precision Cycle & ATV Sylva,
NC. - a full-service shop - "Mechanics are the backbone of the business"
Smith Power Sports "products
to make your outdoor living easier and more enjoyable. We offer experience, fair prices, and a friendly
atmosphere." Kawasaki and KTM.
Mortons BMW, Fredericksburg,
Virginia. Mortons have been a long-time Horizons Unlimited supporter, so a special thanks to them, and
for coming all the way to the meeting! Say hi to Steve, he'll be wandering around...
BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta, "the leading BMW dealer in the southeast,
with all the latest models, genuine BMW accessories and your exclusive source for BMW clothing in Georgia"
Please drop in for a visit and thank them for their support.
Check out the Books pages for Travel books and videos. Remember if you go to Amazon from our books page, we get a small percentage of every purchase.
Thanks!
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.
