HU Travellers Meeting Switzerland 2024

Xenia and Tinu, XT Adventures Riding the Beautiful Silk Road / 1.5 Years in New Zealand and Australia

Riding the Beautiful Silk Road
Year 1 of a 3.5-year world trip along the famous Silk Road through Iran, the Stans, China, Pakistan, India, and Nepal

We are a Swiss couple that is on the road since 2017 and we would like to take you guys on a trip with us along the famous Silk Road which we travelled on our two XT660 Yamahas. We spent one year in incredible countries, crossed many borders, went up the Himalayas and rode the famous Pamir Highway. You will hear some funny and weird stories from the road and get some info about our bikes and the gear.

1.5 Years in New Zealand and Australia
Year 2 of our 3.5-year world trip

After spending the first year on the famous Silk Route, it was time to head over to New Zealand and Australia where we spent 1.5 years. We rode on both Islands of New Zealand and circumnavigated Australia including some very remote dirt roads, loads of river crossings and interesting wild life. We will also talk a little bit about our trip planning and budget.

About the presenters: "XENIA and TINU are the new hosts of HU Switzerland! Self described as a travel-bug-infected couple from Switzerland who are on the road as often as possible. Even before they met, they have been travelling and living abroad. Now greater than the sum of their parts, this team has become even crazier with adventures!"

Last January I took three months off, shipped my bike to Chile and rode down to Patagonia. It was a 16000 km trip. I just finished my book about this trip: "Sehnsucht nach Patagonien", it contains 240 pages and about 500 pictures. And of course all of my readers will find a fully loaded service section about preparing a bike and taking it to South America.

Educational Sessions

Because Horizons Unlimited events are about informing, not just inspiring, we also have a great line-up of educational sessions for you... Further information will follow.

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 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 sign up here.

Martin Brucker, Auf dem Weg On The Way (Auf dem Weg): Part 01 A RTW motorcycle trip comes full-circle after 6.5 years

After 9.5 years as a woodwork intructor in Ethiopia, I gave myself a break (12-18 months) to find similar work in South East Asia (a.k.a. travel) and a bit further to Australia to visit my cousin near Brisbane. After 20 months, I reached in Australia after having ridden through many countries (Iran, Syria, Sudan, Jemen, Tibet, China, Vietnam), including some job interviews in Laos and Vietnam. When I learned I got the job in Laos, I had been in Australia for four months and now needed to make a decision: take the job or continue my journey.

To be honest, it was an easy decision - I kept going. And kept going I did, to South America, Cuba, and waiting for the spring season again. At one point, it came to mind that it would be really cool to return to the Black Forest in Germany on the very same motorcycle I first left with. After crossing six continents, about 70 countries, and covering about 255,067 km, I came full-circle to the very same spot I left 6.5 years ago... at the doorstep of my mother's house in Welschensteinach.

From Germany's Black Forest, MARTIN BRUCKER traveled from March 2010 to October 2016 around the world on his trusty BMW G650 Xchallenge. He covered about 255,067 km crossing about 70 countries "On The Way".

Dylan Samarawickrama When the road ends - Beating the Darien Gap on a Boatercycle

Then you arrive at a point where there is no road to continue. Between Panama and Colombia, there is one of the most dense jungles of this planet: The Darien! Stretching from the Pacific coast from the West to the Atlantic coast on the East, the Darien is home to many different groups of guerrilla fighters, drug smugglers and randomly scattered but notorious tribal groups which makes it to one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on Earth.

A perfect challenge for Dylan! As the first man ever he sails, solo, 650km around Darien, on the Pacific Ocean from Panama into Colombia on a self-built raft propelled by a motorcycle and experiences one of a kind adventure! A journey that is not only takes him across country borders but also tests his personal limits.

Constant break downs, storms, currents and zero sailing experience were some of the challenges of his incredible journey. When things go from bad to worse, dolphins come to his rescue! Watch the video excerpt of his trip.

Dylan Samarawickrama has travelled around the world for three and half years and modestly says he has 'done some interesting adventures'.

Dylan's book 'Am Ende der Strasse' has now been published in German and English 'When the Road Ends'! Ask him to autograph your copy at the meeting!

Mirjam Grunwald M&M: From India to NL by motorbike

For years I wanted to travel beyond the European borders but there was always something coming in between. And then suddenly all came together. I had time, money and someone to come with me. Within 3 months Marika and I planned our trip riding from India back to the Netherlands. We shipped our BMW 1150 GSses to Calcutta and started an adventure on a continent mainly ruled by men. 14.000 km over the highest summits, through desserts, and crowded cities. A story about special encounters, changing emotions, beautiful places, but also of hardships and exciting events. An experience that changed my life forever.

About Mirjam

Since I bought my first motorbike (1997) my holidays were planned: gear up my bike and drive. I've seen most of the EU and longed for more. In 2012 I finally fulfilled my dream and made my first trip outside the EU: riding from India to NL. Since then I only wanted to go again. The encounters of people with other cultures inspires me and by telling about my adventures I hope to show a different perspective. My experiences on the spot. Check out Mirjam's website!

Joshua Steinberg, Wetzlos Weltwärts Presentation 1: Africa East Coast Presentation 2: Africa West Coast

Joshua will share his stories from his two trips to Africa. In two separte presentations he will talk about both his trips, one down the West Coast, and one down the East Coast.

"We travelled the African East Coast from October 2020 until February 2022 with two Honda CRF250L on our own. We covered 50.000 kilometers with 40 percent offroad tracks. Our focus is always on the exchange with the amazing people we meet along the road. Against all odds, we had a wonderful time on the road and the world is still as amazing as it was before. Covid virus, civil war, corruption, and violence could never change the fact that the people of this world are just great and the hospitality is even greater where you least expect it. "

"We want to tell the stories of all those who inspired us, all those who helped us, all those who will always be in our hearts and travel with us ever since we met them. Some positive vibes don't kill anybody these days, so come around and listen to our stories."

JOSHUA STEINBERG travelled western Africa, South America, eastern Africa, and parts of Asia and Europe by motorcycle. All in all, 150.000 kilometers and 60 countries. Less is more for us. Small budget, small bikes, small tent. Ride on!

Elspeth Beard First British woman to motorcycle around the world

Elspeth Beard is a motorcyclist and award-winning architect. In 1982, at the age of just twenty-three, Elspeth Beard left London and set off on a 35,000 mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6 and became the first British woman to motorcycle around the world.

"Although I had ridden bikes since my teens and was already well-traveled, setting off on my own with no sponsorship or support, in an age before email, internet, cell phones and satnavs certainly made this journey a real adventure and was the toughest thing I'd ever done.

During my two-and-a-half year journey I rode through deserts and mountain ranges and war-ravaged countries and along the way I had to fake documents, witnessed riots and civil uprisings, fended off physical threats, sexual attacks, biker gangs and corrupt police convinced I was trafficking drugs. I survived two crashes and life-threatening illnesses and fell in love twice. It was not until 2008 that I discovered that I had become the first British woman to ride a motorcycle around the world.

I now run my own architectural practice, specialising in creating and remodelling interesting and unusual buildings. I live in a converted Victorian water tower in the southeast of England and still enjoy riding motorcycles, including my trusty BMW R60/6 which carried me around the world."

Elspeth Beard - Riding into History from Culture Trip on Vimeo.

Ted Simon ''Jupiter's Travels''

On the 6th October 1973 at the age of 42 Ted Simon left London on a 500cc Triumph Tiger to complete a four year solo round the world trip covering 64000miles and passing through 45 countries. On the 27th January 2001, aged 69, Ted repeated the journey, this time on a BMW R 80GS to discover what had changed over 28 years. A journey of 59000 miles through 47 countries.

One man. One motorcycle. One world.

Ted's books, Jupiter's Travels, Riding High and Dreaming of Jupiter, are to this day an inspiration to the traveller who seeks to understand the world and his/her place in it through personal adventure.

Ted will show a film (Ken Burns style) about the first part of his first trip, with a voice over by himself. This film was critically acclaimed in the USA, this will be the first showing in Switzerland!

Check out Ted's website Jupitalia, and here's an excerpt of his inspiring book on Google Books: Jupiter's Travel

Christian Schlatter Follow your destiny against the current

... or how a baby doesn't change your travel

After a certain point in my life I decided that I have to do something different in my life: Traveling around the world by motorcycle I started 4 ½ years ago to Central Asia, I crossed Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. Then I met a beautiful Italian Girl and for sure we felt in love. We decided to continue on my motorcycle together and so we crossed South East Asia and stranded in Australia. There we were surprised, because Francesca told me that she is pregnant! After some discussion we continue the travel, got our baby and in Canada we found a nice compromise to continue with all three: we bought a sidecar! Slowly we traveled the Americas and the last continent (Africa) I crossed solo and in a couple of days I will finish my travel in Switzerland. An epic story who changed my whole life.

Andrew Dysart Lessons Learned Crossing Africa

How to survive overlanding Africa, develop mental strength, deal with officials and bribes, health and how to read and hustle situation.

How physically and mentally strong do you think you are? Presented will be lessons learned from circumnavigating Africa. From hunting animal poachers in Namibia to police escorts in Egypt. Andi will show you the gear you'll need, keeping a healthy mindset and dealing with all types of situations from bandits, corrupt officials or animal encounters. By the end, you'll want to pack your gear and get face to face with one of the wildest untamed and most beautiful continents and people in the world.

About Andrew

Andi is a serial traveler, circumnavigating Africa on a motorbike, rode horses through Patagonia and traveled to over 80 countries on with 6 of 7 continents. He is a kiwi that lives in a rustic off-the-grid alpine hut in the Swiss alps and currently traveling for over two years. Check out Andrew's Facebook page!

Michael "Maikel" Hoh Siberia the most insane ride of my life

Riding the BAM on high water an absolute insane offroad trip. Physically and mentally challenging trip, rewarded with awesome hospitality.

4 Riders planned to ride the BAM, 3 started, 2 accomplished the Mission. Start and End in Mongolia. The first Offroad chapter led us to Gussinojesee to check out the skills of the motley new team. Some technical issued slowed us down but where fixed still fast. From Irkutsk we made our way to North of Lake Baikal via the boring Schigalowo Road. Our team was reduced again in Sewerobaikalsk before we entered the interesting part of the BAM Road. Dirt, Water, Mosquitos waited for us there but also a unique challenge. The few people we meet were the kindest people ever. We made our way on everything a bike can drive on or drive through before we finally were spit out to civilization again in Tynda.

About Maikel

I'm Maikel and since I started motorcycle travelling 2013 I did several more or less big journeys through Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. My preferred way is travelling with a light bike and far from tourists. If people don't call it a road anymore my heart starts to beat faster. I'm an absolutely passionate Enduro driver. Check out Maikel's webpage!

Berndt Nording Morocco without a Plan

Planning to travel across an ocean to Europe to ride Morocco. Wait, isn't that on a different continent? Forget the PLAN!

Ob For the year 1 B.C. I made a plan to continue my travels through Europe and go a bit further afield to Morocco. Bad idea! Traveling is always a good idea, making a PLAN is definitely not. Follow along with me on my journey and count all the hazards that can knock a PLAN sideways from bureaucrats to the weather gods as well as a couple of other Gods. Then there is the incredibly stupid idea of using the internet to gather information.

Über BERNDT: "I have been a traveler my whole life and started using a motorcycle for traveling half a century ago. In 2012 I shipped a motorcycle to Germany and have been making trips to various destinations from there on a yearly basis since then."

Toshi Meier-Brook Barging Barriers in the Balkans

Turning travel into adventure using a motorbike and a wheelchair

We went to the Balkans on our leaner sidecar combination this year. One goal was to attend the Montenegro HU meeting, which (in contrast to us and our bike) is highly off-road oriented. Seeing where the road would take us during the day, we carried a tent which we didn't use (too many low priced cabins), and a kitchen which we didn't use (too good local food). Apart from admiring some truly amazing landscapes, we didn't really do much sightseeing, and rather tried to get in contact with local people and their culture as much as possible. Despite the title, don't expect our presentation to be mainly about the peculiarities of motorcycle travel with a wheelchair. But, of course, since using a wheelchair can add some spice to many situations, we will loose some words on that. And we will gladly answer any questions concerning travelling to places that are not barrier-free using a wheelchair.

About Toshi

Heike and Toshi have a travel companionship reaching back more than 25 years. Heike is using a wheelchair and needs assistance for most activities. Despite Heike's handicap, together we have explored many parts of the world. Since 2012 we are reaching out for more adventures on a BMW R1200GS with a leaner sidecar. We try to make contact with local people, as much as we can, as our travel is more about the people than about sightseeing.

Judith Seeberger Solo? por qué?

The probably most asked question during my 6-months-trip through the Americas. And it took me a while to find the - for me - right answer.

While showing you some impressions from my solo trip from Anchorage down to Santiago de Chile (July - December 2015) I will as well tell you some stories about the great, interesting, sometimes funny but always friendly encounters with local bikers, their families, with tourists from all over the world, with policemen and border officials.

About Judith

Riding motorcycle since 27 years, I spent my motorcycle holidays mainly in Europe on road and since 5 years off-road as well. Finally I dared to go for 6 months on a solo trip from Anchorage to Santiago de Chile. The best decision in my life! Check out her website!

Hans-Ueli Flückiger From Cancún via Cuba to Panama

Last year the schedule for the Stahlratte.de certain my journey. This 113-year-old sailing ship with six sails drove me in 2013 from Colombia to Panama. The Stahlratte provides the only way Cuba to travel with your own bike. About 4'000 km in five weeks give new impressions and contacts. Jamaica and Providencia, a Colombian island, are quite different. Another highlight are the many wonderful snorkeling dives at different locations. I am happy when I can show you this journey with enthusiasm!

About Hans Ueli

I am 66 years old and travel since 2008 with my Africa Twin through Latin America, total 87'000 km. Part 8 of my journey brought me last year from Cancun with the Stahlratte.de via Cuba, Jamaica, Providencia to Panama. From there I drove the Africa Twin back to Cancun. Check out his website!

Heike & Filippo Fania, 2 Live the Dream From Europe to the Himalayas and beyond!

2 years and 81.000 km on the road

Favorite pics and some great stories from 2 years on the road... due to the limited time, further stories will follow at the campfire...

About Heike & Filippo

Heike & Filippo met 2011 at a Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting in Germany. Soon they realized that they share the same dreams of changing our lives – and so they decided that they both are not going to continue dreaming, but instead to live their dream together. So they gave up their lives at home in Germany and Switzerland, packed everything they need on their motorcycles, and hit the road to discover the world and its people. In 2014, they returned from their 2-year world trip, and settled down in the north of Switzerland, in the beautiful Jura region, where they continue to live the dream.

Filippo Fania Solving Mechanical and electrical problems on the Road

No need to worry about mechanical or electrical problems - all you need is a little basic knowledge and lots of creativity, Filippo "McGyver" will show you

This will be an interactive workshop, where we will focus on what people are interested in. Bring your questions and problems, and together will try to find a solution - in particular for electrical and electronical issues.. Bring your bike and show us also your modifications and special fixes. Filippo will also explain and present some modifications that have proven very helpful during his world-trip with his wife Heike, 2 Live the Dream

Filippo has extensively travelled the world by motorcycle, truck, 4x4 - he has huge experience in motorcycle mechanics and in particular the electrics and electronics. He now runs a business specialised in motorcycle and automobile electrics and electronics.

Judith Seeberger Woman's discussion session

How to travel light and woman on bikes - a contradiction? This and many other female topics

There are many female topics we can discuss about: security, what to take with or not, what bike on a solo trip, how much technical or mechanical knowhow is needed, etc..... with the experience of me and - hopefully - other female travelers there will be a interesting discussion started.

About Judith

Riding motorcycle since 27 years, I spent my motorcycle holidays mainly in Europe on road and since 5 years off-road as well. Finally I dared to go for 6 months on a solo trip from Anchorage to Santiago de Chile. The best decision in my life! Check out her website!

Filippo Fania, 2 Live the Dream Bike Handling Tips & Tricks

Tips on how to handle your fully loaded bike in tricky off-road conditions

Tips and tricks for travellers that want to go off-road with a fully-loaded motorcycle, and don't want to risk a crash. E.g. how to turn around on a very steep and slippery slope with a fully loaded BMW - going downhill save and slow - handling of heavy bikes in difficult situations - turning on a narrow track - etc.