Dreaming of a motorcycle trip to distant climes? This section will help you to plan your trip, whether it's to the next state, country or all the way around the world! Start here!
The Achievable Dream 5-part series - the definitive video guide for planning your motorcycle adventure. Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
You could just get on a plane with your credit card and passport and buy or rent everything you need when you get there. That includes the bike, riding gear, etc. etc.
Gear Up! is a 2-DVD set, 6 hours! Which bike is right for me? How do I prepare the bike? What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers! "will save you a fortune!"See the trailer here!
So you've done it - got inspired, planned your trip, packed your stuff and you're on the road! This section is about staying healthy, happy and secure on your motorcycle adventure. And crossing borders, war zones or oceans!
On the Road! is 5.5 hours of the tips and advice you need to cross borders, break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Tire Changing!Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
With an HU blog, you'll get a lot more readers than in some obscure corner of the web, it's all set to go, no setup required, and it's free! Start your Travel Story Blog right now!
800+ HU Communities in over 115 countries! People who want to meet travellers - yes that's YOU - and can provide local assistance, and may be your new best friends!
Make a DifferenceTips on fundraising or donating time and energy to a cause.
After the big trip - Was the trip the best - or worst - thing you ever did?
Resources and Links
Horizons Unlimited Presents!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
"It has me all fired up to go out on my own adventure!" See the trailer here!
Meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or across Asia! They will encourage you, share their experiences and advice on how to do it!
We're not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown a hobby into a full time job and a labour of love.
When you decide to become a Member, it helps directly support the site. You get additional privileges on the HUBB, access to the Members Private Store, and more. Of course, you get our sincere thanks, good karma and knowing you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. :-)
All contributions are gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.
T-shirts, Calendars, Stickers
T-shirts Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Calendars Featuring the 13 winning photos from the Horizons Unlimited annual motorcycle travel photo contest!
World Map Sticker for PanniersShow your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Travel BooksMotorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
Videos - Watch and Learn!
Horizons Unlimited presents!
Achievable Dream The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
"The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
Advertisers- Horizons Unlimited is well-established as the first source of reliable, unbiased information on all aspects of adventure motorcycle travel.
We reach a dedicated, worldwide group of real travellers, and are the only website focusing exclusively on long distance motorcycle travellers.
If you sell motorcycles or motorcycle accessories, riding gear, camping equipment and clothing, transport motorcycles, organize motorcycle tours, or have motorcycles to rent, you should be advertising with us!
After the big tripThey came, went... and did it! But where are they now? DID that big trip change their lives? What to do with all the travel experience and how to use it? How to get a job afterwards! Was the trip the best - or worst - thing you ever did?
I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!
Photo by Erling Foshaugen,
Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia
During the last leg (crossing North America) of the first motorcyclist’s attempt to circle the globe in 1913, the young adventurer (22 year-old Carl Stearns Clancy) was challenged to a hill climb contest by a local motorcycle dealer in Sacramento with a “well-known twin,” likely an Indian or Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Risky as it was to stop on an already dangerous ride around the world in the last days, the challenge was accepted. (Photo 1 below of Clancy and one gear, four cylinder Henderson on the road around the globe)
In the book MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER https://amzn.to/46Zi43g all that was noted about the location of the hill was it being located “two miles beyond the city,” and “the pet test hill of the town.” It was described as being “35 per cent grade” with no running start allowed. The 934 cc, 7-horsepower Henderson topped the hill after the competitor failed twice on his “well known twin.”
In 2013 during The Clancy Centenary Ride I made a feeble attempt to climb a small hill in Sacramento, noting that most of the area around Sacramento was as flat as a pool table. Fellow rider Livermore was, as usual, most fearful of making any off-pavement ventures on his Honda twin, while fellow BMW riders were being careful with their loaner press bikes (also “twin” cylinder models), so they remained parked on the pavement. While I failed in my attempt, I was left with a hole in my research as to where and what hill Clancy had topped in 1913. (Photo 3 below - my failed attempt
Mike Blanchard of Sacramento and well known archivist has been researching the location of the hill and wrote:
“I have been looking for likely spots for the "test hill." Clancy writes it is on a railroad crossing about two miles out of town. I checked out some likely spots. I am absolutely sure he stopped in at William Langley's shop on 10th street as he was the Henderson Excelsior dealer and a very active motorcyclist in the community always up to something…. I think the most likely existing spot is the crossing of the tracks at 28th and B St. in East Sacramento. It is a very steep hill next to the old State Militia armory. It would be about two miles from downtown where Langley's shop was. It could also be across the river in Yolo County where the track runs west to Oakland though flood plain and is raised up but I like the 28th St crossing better.”
He closed his review with:
“MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER” is a fun read and an interesting, instructive and useful book. For the modern person, there are lessons to be learned: be open to the world, be persistent but prudent, ingenuity will get you way down the road, and don’t let your fears hold you back from seeing what is at the end of a road. This is a treasure that any motorcyclist would be happy to have in his or her library.”
While the book MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER is a done deal (published 2010), research continues on the first motorcycle ride around the world. Our small global research team has been looking for the 1912 Henderson left in France when Walter Story abandoned Clancy and his Henderson was given or sold to the new Henderson dealership Clancy signed up in Paris. We are also sniffing around the United States to possibly find Clancy’s ‘RTW Henderson that may have been returned to the Henderson Company in 1913.
As Blanchard wrote in October of 2018, “Wouldn't it be a dream to find Storey's Henderson in an old garage in Paris? They are still out there."
__________________
Sun Chaser, or 'Dr.G', Professor of Motorcycle Adventure at SOUND RIDER magazine. Professional Motorcycle Adventurer/Indian Motorcycle Racer/journalist/author/global economist/World's # 1 Motorcycle Adventure Sleeper & Wastrel
Soul Sensual Survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.co m
Last edited by Sun Chaser; 30 Oct 2023 at 01:56.
Reason: Dispelled mythical reference
In the closing paragraph of the book MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER, Carl Stearns Clancy said in 1913:
"I do not know that I will ever make another 'round-the-world trip, but if I do it may be depended upon that I will travel by motorcycle and that my mount will be as nearly a duplicate of the Henderson I now have as possible. I do not see how any machine could have behaved more satisfactorily under the widely varying conditions to which it was subjected."
In October, 1912 Clancy left America on his ‘RTW motorcycle adventure – October, 2023 marks 111 years later. He wrote in 1912, before he started his ‘RTW motorcycle adventure:
“As we must pay part of our expenses by writing articles for American and foreign magazines and newspapers enroute, and by publishing a complete book upon return, we plan to lend a novel interest to the tour by taking along a complete camp equipment and by camping out whenever possible instead of following the example of everyone else and visiting hotels. To gain official recognition and co-operation for our efforts, besides also increasing our income, we have identified ourselves actively and permanently with the world wide good roads movement and the promotion of both international and interstate touring by charting the pioneer motor highway around the globe. We will encourage long distance touring at every opportunity.” [Page 10, MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER publication – The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review]
The “we” became “I” after Clancy parted ways with his planned riding pal. He did manage to type and handwrite a first draft manuscript for a book upon his return, which languished unpublished until 2013, 100 years after he completed his ‘RTW ride. Titled THE GASOLINE TRAMP, https://bit.ly/45RE7aY , the content provides the reader with a historical and academic look at the adventures of a twenty-one/two year-old boy/man adventure seeking motorcyclist who wrote after his ‘RTW record setting motorcycle ride:
“I had started a boy, I had come back a man. Incidentally, I had left New York with $270, worked my way around the world, and returned with $200.”* [Page 210, THE GASOLINE TRAMP]
*Footnote October, 2023: The $270 USD in 1912 equals $8,567 USD in 2023 given inflation, and the $200 USD he had upon his return in 1913 equals $6,218 USD in 2023.
Below is the new cover for THE GASOLINE TRAMP, designed by Paul H Smith (who also did a complete re-work of the layout/design), and a book-look at MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURER and THE GASOLINE TRAMP by Jack Robinson, founder of the Four Stroke Singles National Owners Club, published in April 2022.
__________________
Sun Chaser, or 'Dr.G', Professor of Motorcycle Adventure at SOUND RIDER magazine. Professional Motorcycle Adventurer/Indian Motorcycle Racer/journalist/author/global economist/World's # 1 Motorcycle Adventure Sleeper & Wastrel
Soul Sensual Survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.co m
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
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"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. 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. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.