HU Travellers Meeting Virginia 2023

Elspeth Beard One of the Early Globetrotters A two-and-a-half-year solo journey around the world by motorcycle in the early 1980s

Slideshow/Presentation about a two and a half year, 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world by motorcycle. In 1982, at the age of just twenty-three, Elspeth set off on her 1974 BMW R60/6 and describes the challenges faced as a solo woman on the road. Four decades after her journey, she published her book Lone Rider which finds new meaning within today's contemporary context recounting the journey in a different era before technology. Her journey saw her survive life-threatening illnesses and numerous accidents. She witnessed riots and civil uprisings that forced her to fake documents, and she fended off physical threats, sexual attacks, biker gangs, and corrupt police who were convinced that she was trafficking drugs. Returning home in 1984, Elspeth finished her architecture degree and now runs her own architectural practice and still enjoys riding her collection of motorcycles.

ELSPETH BEARD is a motorcyclist and award-winning architect. In 1982, at the age of just twenty-three, Elspeth set off on a 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6 with no sponsorship or support, in an age before email, cell phones, and satnavs.

Michelle Solaro Himalayan Hospitality A love story involving a husband, a Royal Enfield, and the people of Nepal

MICHELLE SOLARO took up motorcycling 25 years ago and has never looked back. It has brought all the best things in life: fun, adventure... and her husband.

A "Plenty of Fish" promise turns into a Christmas gift of plane tickets to Kathmandu where, in 2016, Michelle falls in love with exotic, intoxicating Nepal. Upon acquiring her leaky, rattle-can 350 Enfield, she dodges the butt-clenching madness of Kathmandu traffic for the serenity of the Kali Gandaki Gorge before heading west to the earthquake-ravaged Jiri region. From the snow capped Annapurna mountains to the steam of Sauraha's jungles, she clatters her way around a country where neither she nor her mate can read the signs or speak the language. A one-month vacation leaves a peremament mark on her heart.

Oliver Solaro Ice Dog A BMW 850GSA... on the sea ice?

OLIVER "BROKENTOOTH" SOLARO at your service. My nutty little shtick is to incessantly force the spirit in my machine to cry uncle while being tasked to go places and do things it was never designed for. Feel free to point and mock at will.

For decades, my cranial "voices" have whispered many a scheme to facilitate my ongoing teenage rebellion against societal expectations of what travel on a motorcycle should be. This past winter has taken this philosophy and cranked it up to 11 with a little sojourn that I guarantee will leave you scratching your head. With any luck, this may be just an engineering exercise for something even more, um...frosty coming down the pipe.

[Don't miss Oliver's GERTRUDE walk-around, the BMW850GSA that broke the mold for Arctic explorations. See more info in the Workshops and Tech Sessions section below.]

Chris Smith, Jason Bennett, and Steve Roos Moto Photo Adventures Conquering the Trans-America Trail How three goofy guys conquered the TAT during the height of the pandemic

Finding themselves with very little work during the height of the pandemic, Chris, Jason, and Steve set out to fill the void by checking-off one of their dream adventures from the proverbial bucket list! Dipping their toes in the Atlantic Ocean, they headed west along the famous Trans-America Trail.

The "Trail" is a patchwork of dirt trails, fire roads, and back-country lanes that allows travelers to bisect this great continent of ours in the most remote way possible. From the curvy mountain roads of the Blue Ridge, to the lush valleys of Tennessee...from the rolling hills of the Ozarks to the great plains of Oklahoma...from the treacherous mountain passes of the Rocky Mountains...to the deadly deserts of Nevada...this trail is an adventure rider's dream! Join us as we tell our tale and share tips for those looking to conquer the TAT.

[Don't miss Chris, Jason, and Steve's Cameras, Phones, and Drones... Oh My! Q&A round-table discussion. See more info in the Workshops and Tech Sessions section below.]

MOTO PHOTO ADVENTURES bring together three friends who share a common passion for motorcycling, photography, and adventure. Whether you're looking to take your bike on a weekend camping trip or planning your big Round the World (RTW) adventure, we're here to help. If you're not sure you can do it, yes, you can! If you're struggling with how to get started, we can help. Maybe you want tips on how to capture your trip with your new GoPro? Maybe you're looking for photography advice on how to create dramatic images of the marvelous sights you'll encounter? Hopefully our adventure videos will give you inspiration, our tutorial videos will give you knowledge, and our product videos will give you guidance. We LOVE what we do...and love inspiring others to follow their dreams too!

Stuart Holding UK to Morocco: Take Two Tours The same trip carried out 52 years apart: 1970 and 2022

STUART HOLDING has been travelling by motorcycle on various trips for over 50 years now.

Back in 1970, two friends rode from London to Tangier in Morocco on a 250 Yamaha two-stroke - a cutting-edge bike back then. Last year, somewhat older and hopefully wiser, we repeated the trip on the same model bike - one each this time, though. We followed the same route as far as possible and stayed in the same campsite in Tangier.

What can you learn from a lifetime of travel? That's what we wanted to find out.

Bill Hooykaas 50+ RTW Years with the Riding Dutchman "You can do it, too... if you are very lucky and start young enough!"

Long-time HU presenter Bill bought his first bike in 1969, and since then has stuck with BMW adventure riding nearly his entire riding life, other than combining his professional life with his passion for a number of years travelling Canada with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Golden Helmets Precision Team on Harley Davidsons.

He has ridden from the Arctic to Antarctic, and from Alaska round the world to China and back, including many side-trips in-between. He now has over two million kilometres of seat time and invites you to come see his half-century adventure. Bring your questions on how to equip your bike, yourself, and most of all, preparing physically for the long road ahead.

The Road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

BILL HOOYKAAS is a life-long BMW rider, former BMW MOA Director, and one of the original GS Giants. He has ridden through more than 50 countries over the past 54 years, yet never published a book or charity-washed his adventures for fund-raising, only occasionally sharing his stories at Horizons Unlimited events and BMW rallies.

Andrew Pain, The Minimal Motorcyclist Building and Following a Travel Budget / Medical and Trauma Preparedness on the Road

[Don't miss Andrew's workshop: MINIMALIST PACKING. Scroll down to the Workshops and Tech Sessions section below.]

1) Building and Following a Travel Budget
How much does it really cost to travel long-term?

It's one of the most common questions asked of overlanders - how to pay for it? Andrew breaks down what needs to be planned for to build an overlanding budget, how to find the money, and how much you actually need for an overland journey.

2) Medical and Trauma Preparedness on the Road
How to prep for and deal with emergencies while travelling

No one wants it to happen, but injuries and illness happen while on the road. Packing all the gear and medications to face every possible scenario is impractical at best and impossible at worst. Andrew has worked as a paramedic in Milwaukee for 17 years, and traveled around North, Central, and South America on a small motorcycle. He explains what you don't need, what you should have, and where you should get it, as well as a few simple tips for dealing with the things that go wrong.

For ANDREW PAIN, it all started in the rain in 1992. Since then, he has ridden more than 300,000 miles. In 2011, he took his $65, 250cc bike to South America (stopping in Alaska, which is clearly on the way, if you hold the map right) along with a stuffed bear named Blue.

Emy and David Woodburn Sydney to Guadalcanal / Uganda to South Africa

1) Sydney to Guadalcanal
A journey up Australia's east coast to the northern tip, then up into the island.

Arriving in Australia from the Philippines, we needed to purchase a bike. We then headed north, searching out what work we could along the way. Our destination was Somerset, at the tip of Cape York, where four generations of my family had lived. Emy's visa was running out. We caught a light plane across the Torres Strait to Daru, an Island off the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea. A coastal freighter then carried us to Port Moresby. Unable to obtain a visa there, we flew to Guadalcanal. The kindly Australian Consul in Honiara accommodated us. Once back on Cape York, we retrieved our bike from the Aboriginal settlement and headed south to Cairns, where work was found. This gave us funds to reach Sydney.

2) Uganda to South Africa
A journey through Kenya and then southward to Johannesburg.

After the jungles of Central Africa, we needed a rest, but also funds. I was offered a job, roofing some structures on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. With the small moneys earnt, we travelled into northern Kenya, then south through Tanzania to Malawi to Zambia. Unable to afford entry to one of the game parks, we camped at a lodge, just outside the boundary of South Luangwa National Park. Our hope was that our daughter would still be able to view some of the animals. However, within a couple of days, we were camped well into that park. I was employed, building up an old safari lease. As well as the experience of living alongside lions and leopards, elephants and hippos, crocodiles and hyena, giraffe, zebra and antelope, this gave us the funds to reach South Africa.

EMY was born in a country town in the Philippines. She grew up in circumstances vastly different than what most Westerners can imagine. DAVID was born in a country town in Queensland. With the loss of his father at a young age he had some 'freedom' to plot his own path through life.

Mike Muldoon A Stroke of Luck / The Real Mexico

1. A Stroke of Luck
Life to be lived, to be loved

Events happen in our life that change the direction of our life cycle. How we handle these events goes a long way in our healing during the recovery process. We all have a support team to get us back up and going, but to many of us, we need that extra push or desire to take our recovery to a higher level. I always tell people that the bike saved my life, and it did.

My recovery trip took me to amazing places and allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people. With the help of great friends, they taught me how to get out there and discover the real world. How to get past fear and the unknown. How we handle healing is our own decision because we have to live with the results, but if you have that special friend to take you to a higher level, accept his offer and go for it.

2. The Real Mexico
Getting off the main roads

There comes a time when things change and decisions have to be made. Do we sit back and over-analyze the new moment in time or just take a ride into the unknown? Heading to Mexico with a special friend made the decision a lot easier. I was greener than green with this type of travel. My riding partner was going south to Mexico, so do I stay north or head south and discover the real me?

My friend Katia was a well-travelled traveler and had the passion for the unknown. She taught me about getting out there to these out-of-the-way places to be discovered. Life is all about learning and my life has done a 180-degree turn. I learned that new lands, the people, and the lifestyle are truly amazing as long as you are able to accept the new life. Yes, anxiety and fear are there, but a lot of that has to do with not being out there. Let me paint you a picture of discovery.

Six years ago, MIKE MULDOON had a stroke that changed his life, mostly for the better. He considers himself a late bloomer and, with the help of friends and a motorcycle, he discovered travel at a higher level. Getting past fear and the unknown are big challenges on the road to finding beauty of discovery and travel.

Patty Wong and Ky Yeh (and Keiki) 2 Wheels, 3-Up, 4 Paws Determined to make sure that our dog lives her best life, Keiki and Co. motorcamped across Canada from London ON to Vancouver BC, and back

2020 meant canceled trips, opportunities, employment and a closed border. Ky and Patty took a gamble on the adventure of a lifetime. With their cute Shiba Inu puppy, Keiki, in tow on a heavily overloaded bike wholly unsuited for long distance touring, they set out for Vancouver, 7500 miles, while motocamping there and back again. Adventure begins when things start going wrong and, for them, it began early and often, but they never anticipated things like sleeping in a trailer in a race paddock, or a sandstorm at the top of a cliff.

Their steed was a "modified" 2014 Yamaha Bolt. With 2.6 gallons of fuel, there were MANY gas stops that were full of laughs, questions and photo-ops. All 3 inches of plush suspension travel meant that these stops were often welcomed breaks. Come see them as they answer questions like, Where does the dog go?, and yes, Keiki will be present for photos and/or kisses.

PATTY WONG and KY YEH have been motorcycling together for over 10 years, but the last three years have been with Keiki, a three-year-old Shiba Inu. Keiki has been riding on the motorcycle and loving it ever since Patty and Ky picked her up when she was two months old!

Tom Medema, Rally For Rangers A Rally for Rangers This new award-winning documentary follows volunteer riders as they bring new motorcycles to park rangers in Mongolia, Nepal, and Patagonia.

Since 2014 more than 80 volunteer adventure riders have travel tens of thousands of rugged kilometers across Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, Patagonia, and Bhutan in order to provide park rangers new motorcycles to combat poaching and protect natural and cultural world heritage. More than 160 new bikes have been donated to-date through this effort. A Rally for Rangers is the culmination of four years of filming and brings vivid detail to the challenges and dangers faced by the worlds park rangers every day, as well as the commitment and passion of the men and women riders who journey to support them.

TOM MEDEMA is co-founder of the Rally for Rangers project, a non-profit organization with the mission of "protecting the world's special places one motorcycle at a time." He is a career park ranger with nearly 30 years' experience protecting special places in the United States such as Yosemite, Mount Rainier, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. His ADV riding began less than a decade ago with a last-minute trip to Mongolia for a ten day rally.

David Smith Is Fly-and-Ride Right For You? My experiences on a fly-and-ride from Anchorage, AK, to Portland, OR.

Have you ever thought of riding to someplace far away. Very far away? There is another option and it may cost less than you think. In my case, it was a lot less. Learn what you should consider before you go.

DAVID SMITH has been into motorcycles for over 50 years. He was very fortunate to have parents who made it a family activity from trail riding in the 1970s in the west and Baja to supporting my racing motocross and Enduro across the country.

Amy & Kevin Edwards, A to Blog Electric Motorcycle Travel Pros and Cons of riding the first electric motorcycle to complete the Trans America Trail

They say you can't go adventure riding on an electric motorcycle. How far can it go? What if it gets wet? Is it even fun to ride? The ranks of electric motorcycle travelers are small but growing, with a handful of epic electric overlanding trips already on the books. We'll discuss journeys across Africa and South America, our pioneering ride coast to coast across the entire Trans America Trail with a Zero DSR in 2021, and touch on our 8600-mile trip across Newfoundland and Labrador with the Zero in 2022.

This presentation looks at some of the electric motorcycles available now, the current advantages and disadvantages compared to gas bikes, the practicalities of charging and route planning, and discusses some lessons learned. Despite our enduring love of gas bikes, it turns out that traveling on an electric motorcycle has a charm all of its own.

AMY and KEVIN EDWARDS are based in North Carolina, and have traveled North America together on motorcycles for 20 years. Lately, their riding has skewed more off-pavement, following routes such as BDRs and the TAT, with sights set on future international adventures.

Tammy Perry Holiday in Cambodia Four strangers, four Hondas, four weeks... what could go wrong?

It's all about connection. That's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think about motorcycling. In fact, as an introvert, I think of solitude and soaking up the scenery on my own time and schedule. A funny thing happened though when four strangers from three countries hooked up in Cambodia on a mission to deliver laptops to a remote village in the Cardomom mountains. [Note: this presentation includes video.]

TAMMY PERRY's father taught her to ride a street bike as a teen - they planned to ride across the country someday. Someday never came as the cancer got him just after his 50th birthday. Tammy got away from motorcycling while the kids were young, and went back to it on a dual sport in time to make it from St. John's to Vancouver before her 50th birthday. Well, then it was impossible to stop and since then she's been to almost every U.S. state, from St. John's to Guatemala and all over Mexico, Cambodia and, of course, lots of roads all over Canada.

Steve Madden Somewhat Prepared; Totally Successful A frank discussion of what I did well and what I did poorly on my RTW in 2018.

In 2018, I embarked on my Honda Africa Twin to travel Round the World. I flew my bike to South Korea, ferried it to Russia, and headed west. In spite of a year long preparation, I was unprepared in many ways. Yet, I still accomplished my goal. In fact, I have followed up this adventure by returning to Europe twice, which included a trip to the Arctic Circle and an eight-day trip to Tunisia. And I just returned from a 4+ month long trip through Central and South America, culminating in Ushuaia at the bottom of the world.

The traveller I have become is much improved from the novice who left in June, 2018. I would like to present a frank discussion of what I did well and what I did poorly, both in preparation for and during the trip. My ultimate goal is to make a convincing case that you, too, can accomplish this. Truly, if I can do it, you can do it.

STEVE MADDEN is a recovering lawyer from Cincinnati who rode his Honda Africa Twin RTW solo in 2018 at age 64. The bike remains in Europe for future adventures which included Tunisia in 2019. He began riding at 54 and has logged 300,000 miles in 29 countries on four continents.

John Clarke A Challenge, Experience, or Obsession? / Know Thyself and Know Your Body

1) A Challenge, Experience, or Obsession?
With 56 years of motorcycling and 61 years of camping under my belt, I have plenty to share. Travelled every year since age 19.

The title describes different ways of looking at a trip - some conscious and some subconscious. I am not saying that any of them are wrong. It's up to you. I describe the evolution of my travels at age 19 from Morocco on a new 250 Yamaha in 1970 to Morocco on a 52-year-old Yamaha 250 at age 71. I have traveled every year mostly by motorcycle since then. I moved to Canada, then the USA from England when I was 32.

I cover countries visited, equipment, experiences, and lessons learned, including a couple of photos from each trip. I have been on four Elephant Rallies, 2 x 10,000-mile trips around the USA, and more than a dozen 3000-4000 mile rides in both Europe and the USA. My business travels have had me visiting Australia, South Africa, China, the Caribbean and Mexico. My personal travels have or will include Thailand, Cambodia and Japan.

2) Know Thyself and Know Your Body
Everyone is different. It pays well to know your own self before planning a trip.

Everyone is different. Some feel the cold, some can't stand the heat. Some people are neat freaks, others slobs. Know about exhaustion, hypothermia, dehydration, ketosis. Your body can change as you get older and also during the course of a trip. Know what your companions are like as well. I will also talk about clothing, cooking and equipment if there is time. As well as having been traveling for more than 50 years, I have backpacked, cross country skied and camped, attended survival courses and have a 2nd degree black belt in karate.

JOHN CLARKE is 72 years old with a lifelong love of camping since age 12, motorcycling since age 16 and motorcycle touring since age 19. Since then he has completed a 3000 - 4000 mile trip almost every year. He is a martial artist, backpacker, excellent cook, inventor, and possibly one of the most interesting people you have never heard of.

Rakesh Sridhar Small Bikes, Big Dreams Travelling around the world on 125cc motorcycles!

I grew up in India, and didn't go abroad till the age of 19. I had several fears about traveling abroad, solo, especially in remote parts of the world. When I was 25, I flew to London, bought a motorcycle and started riding east through eastern Europe, Türkiye, the five Stans, before reaching Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). I broke down in the 120F/50C heat of Turkmenistan, narrowly escaped deportation, improvised a fuel pump, and kept going.

This trip changed my life! Two years later, after graduating from MIT, I bought a one-way ticket to Medellin (Colombia) and started traveling again. I bought a motorcycle in Cali and went 10,000 miles south to Punta Arenas, and sold my bike at the Free Trade Zone there. After that, I flew to Cape Town, bought another motorcycle and went north till Ethiopia before the Sudanese civil war stopped me from going further.

RAKESH SRIDHAR says: Under the philosophy of "Small Bikes, Big Dreams", I traveled from London to Mongolia, Colombia to Chile, South Africa to Ethiopia on 125cc motorcycles at ages of 25 and 27. Having grown up in India, but having spent my adulthood in Japan and the US, I had several unique perspectives in my travels about the way of life in different parts of the world.

Andrew Pain, The Minimal Motorcyclist Minimalist Packing Look, everone wants to carry less, but what do you really need to have?

Do you ever wonder why, no matter how large your luggage is, you never seem to have enough room? It's easy to become overloaded, but not having the correct gear and supplies while traveling only increases costs, adds stress, and makes it hard to relax while traveling. Andrew reviews not just the things he packs while traveling on his 250, but how to establish a packing plan and make your own good packing decisions.

For ANDREW PAIN, it all started in the rain in 1992. Since then, he has ridden more than 300,000 miles. In 2011, he took his $65, 250cc bike to South America (stopping in Alaska, which is clearly on the way, if you hold the map right) along with a stuffed bear named Blue.

Alex Reponen Motobaking: A Delicious Art & Science An introduction to understanding and mastering proper baking while traveling

"Motobaker" Alex will share his dual passions of baking and motorcycle travel to introduce fellow travelers to the joy, satisfaction and delicious possibilities of baking while traveling. Covering a range of equipment options, basic theory of successful "motobaking"; and practical tips and tricks to ensure consistently delectable results while on the road. Whether you have the desire to bake everyday or just once in a while, these are game changing skills to add to your arsenal and require less dedicated equipment than you might think! A practical demonstration of various setups from the "field expedient" to the more elaborate, with tasty freshly baked treats to sample, this presentation will definitely leave you wanting more! There are even a few giveaways for this interested in elevating their camp cooking repertoire!

ALEX REPONEN is a relative newcomer to motorcycling (approx. 10 years), but is a professional baker and seasoned international traveler. Having swerved from his previous career as a CIA officer overseas, he now satisfies both his passions by "motobaking" whenever possible; baking off the back of his motorcycle!

Farkle Walk of Fun with Annette Seek out and explore the various ways people add to or modify their bike Ladies of Adventure ~ Facilitated by Annette Adventure ladies gather!

Annette Stout and her smile returns to host the annual Farkle Walk of Fun. FARKLE = accessory. The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of "function" and "sparkle"; hence, farkle. We'll go on a walk-about to interview riders and examine their bikes for a detailed breakdown of their farkles and kit. How did they decide which farkle to add and which ones to subtract? and why? Check out different storage solutions, protective gear, navigation options, and comfort customizations. We'll also look at sidecars and trailers if they catch our eye or any interesting conveyance at the campground. If you've ever wondered, "What IS that?!?" when looking at a traveler's bike, this is your chance to find out!

Annette will also be there with the annual gathering of the ADVENTURE LADIES OF HU VIRGINIA 2023 to share experiences, strength, hope, and all that fun. Gather together to share a bit of your story. No matter how you explore the world, we want to get to know a bit more about you.

Always the explorer, ANNETTE STOUT faces the world with humor, an open mind, and intense interest in all things involved with travel. Her experience with motorcycle camping combines her lifelong connection with the outdoors, powersports, gadgets, and the people whom she meets along the way.

Chris Smith, Jason Bennett, and Steve Roos Moto Photo Adventures Cameras, Phones, and Drones... Oh My! (Q&A Round-Table Style Discussion) How to harness today's technology to capture your next big adventure!

Your friends think you are NUTS for traveling around the globe on a motorcycle. You try to describe these destinations to them, only for it to fall short. Why is that? The human brain is highly driven by visual stimulation. In order to truly convey the EXPERIENCE of being there, you need great visuals...whether it's through photos or videos!

Chris, Jason, and Steve harnessed their backgrounds in the professional photography/videography fields to create story-telling videos of their adventures, and launch a successful YouTube channel. In this round-table Q&A style discussion, you can check out what gear they use, hear them explain their visual process, and ask questions that will help YOU successfully capture your next big adventure!

Oliver Solaro Gertrude A walk around and summary of 850GSA for Arctic expeditions

OLIVER "BROKENTOOTH" SOLARO at your service. My nutty little shtick is to incessantly force the spirit in my machine to cry uncle while being tasked to go places and do things it was never designed for. Feel free to point and mock at will.

Join me for a chat under the tent with Gertrude, my 2023 BMW F850GSA, where I'll explain the how's and why's of building an expedition bike meant to exist and perhaps even thrive under conditions not seen anywhere else on the planet. See why the ubiquitous "snowbikes" we see brapping up and down the Rockies could never pull off what I need to maintain forward motion up here.

Outback Motortek USA East [Exhibitor] Adventure Bike Hard Part Protection Exploring the why and how to protect adventure motos!

The team of Outback Motortek USA East will provide expert insights, funny stories, and explore the unusually interesting and sometimes controversial world of hard-parts protection for adventure and dual sport motorcycles. Our presentation is based on personal fails and accomplishments from six years of product development, use, and abuse. There will be a display bikes to sit on, products to touch, and free OM-USA-East goodies (SWAG!) for all participants.

Stop by the Outback Motortek USA East booth for even more information.