Canada Ontario 2013 HU Travellers Meeting, near Parry Sound, Sept 12-15 2013
 

We're very pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2nd Annual Horizons Unlimited Ontario Overland Adventure Travellers meeting, to be held September 12-15 2013!
http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/events/ontario-2013

We had a great turnout for the first meeting in 2012 near Barrie, over 125 travellers from as far afield as Australia and the UK, plus southern USA and eastern Canada. The atmosphere was fantastic, but we did conclude that we needed a new venue for 2013 with the facilities to allow us to grow the event properly.

It's taken quite awhile, but with some help from local travellers, we found it! The event will be at Camp Manitou, on Lake Manitouwabing, north of Parry Sound. Warren Milner checked it out for us, and he says: "the location is terrific - very scenic and great for riding!"

HU Travellers meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled, on two, three or four wheels! There are no bands and no wild parties, but we do have great people and interesting bikes - and fantastic stories about travelling to interesting places, plus tech seminars on everything from tire changing to GPS usage to packing lists. For a taster of HU meetings, see the video here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events

If all that sounds like your kind of event, get all the details and sign up at http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/events/ontario-2013

Pre-registration is now open and if you pre-register and pay before the end of March you can save $50 on a full event pass.

Please pass this on to any serious travellers and would-be travellers you think might be interested in attending or presenting!

Thanks for anything you can do to help spread the word about the event. There is a poster on the webpage you can print off and hand around to local venues and bike shops too!

We'll both be there, and hope to see you there!

Grant and Susan Johnson
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

As we count down the days, you can get the latest event updates by subscribing to this thread, (thread tools, subscribe) or 'Liking' the Horizons page on Facebook.

Feel free to discuss the event on this thread!

Volunteers to help out and Present also wanted! :)

It's still a ways out on the calendar, but I threw in my presenter hat. Hoping this time for less snow. :-D

It never snows in Canada in September!
 

But the new venue has lots of indoor space for presentations AND for sleeping, just in case... :rofl:

Sleep inside? That's just crazy talk.

happy to see the event going forward, I am in New Orleans that week, Hope to catch up to the HU meeting in California. Have fun.:scooter:

Same here. Hoping to get to this one this year. :scooter:

Are the camp sites hammock friendly? Any good sized trees around the camp sites?

If not are the couples cabins shared with other couples? A little confused on the difference between the couples cabin and a private cabin (for my wife and I). I'm guessing the private cabins are for singles?

Thanks,
Mark

Trees and cabins
 

Hi Mark, thanks for the question! I've just put a map on the event page now, so you can get a better idea of the layout.

As can be seen from the picture and the map, there are lots of trees around the property.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/eve...013#facilities

As for the cabins, we don't have all the cabins on site, because some of them are reserved for their staff, but we have the entire camp, so we're not sharing with any other group. There are various cabin configurations.

Pricing on the event page could have been clearer, but our intention is as follows:

• Camping is $60 per person for 3 nights.
• Group Cabin (max. 6 per cabin, lower bunks only), $80 per person for 3 nights.
• Couples Cabin (max. 2 per cabin), $110 per person for 3 nights.
• Private Cabin (max. 1 person in a cabin), $130 per cabin.

So for a couple in a Couples Cabin, it will cost $220 in total for the 3 nights. We have a limited number of the couples and private cabins, thus the pricing is higher and we already have a number of these booked out.

Hope that helps. See you there!

P.S. Camp Manitou has recently updated their website, you can see examples of some of the cabins here.

Cheers,
Susan

Great, thanks for the quick response Susan. We're looking forward to it.

Nice people to meet
 

Hi everybody,

My name is Chantal and I strongly recommand to assist this meeting in Ontario. Why? Because my friend Pat Trahan will be there with his incredible stories to tell and also because I will do a great presentation on my journey through Americas with my husband.

And also because of all the others guests who have interesting stories either.

And also because the great opportunities to make friends and meet travellers. And so on...

Don't miss out :welcome:

Chantal Cournoyer
www.chantaletjean.blogspot.ca

I'm counting off the days.
This will be my first HU meeting.
I hope it'll be addictive!

It will be addictive I guarantee! There's always a huge buzz and a lot of "see you on the ROAD" going around! :)

see you there!

Cabin Availability
 

We're flying over to New York at the end of the month (for a month) for a family wedding, and are planning on hiring a car and driving to Canada to visit a few relatives up there. We thought it would be good to head up to Parry Sound and check out this little shindig, but as we won't have any camping equipment with us we would need to take a cabin. Are there any couples cabins still available?

Cheers

Ian

Just like last year around this time, my 250 has broken.


Unlike last year, I'm not trying to fix it myself. It's nice to have a good relationship with a quality mechanic.

No problem at this time - we plan to pull the option when no longer available, so get in while you can! Note you do still need a sleeping bag and pillow.

see you there!

Only two weeks!
 

Don't forget to plan your HU meeting week-end. It's only in two weeks.

It's your opportunity to meet some really nice people! Come and join us, you'll have fun for sure.

Oh! by the way, I will do a presentation of my journey around Americas. For those who plan to go or not, it will be very interesting. See you! bier

Chantal
www.chantaletjean.blogspot.ca

Schedule of presenters??? If I go on the Saturday ride out, will I be missing presentations that I absolutely do not want to miss??? I can't find a presenter schedule. I'm debating whether to bring my dual sport or street bike.

My first HU meeting, and I'm looking forward to it.

Hi LD,

Sorry I just realized the date of the ride-out wasn't on the page. It's actually on Friday, not Saturday.

We usually try to produce a schedule of presentations a few days before the event, but it's difficult and always subject to change, as most of the presenters are actually traveling overland to the event, so may be delayed or arrive early!

Update - draft schedule is now posted!

The good news is that we've got lots of presentations, and many of them will be repeated, so even if you go riding on Friday there will be lots to see from Thursday at 6 pm until Sunday morning! :)

Hope that helps and look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers,
Susan & Grant

can't wait!!!
 

This will be my 1st HUBB event..... 'looking forward to it big time!!!

Randy,

hey Guys, I am Patrick Trahan. I will be one of the presenters! I have many stories and funny facts to tell you about my Dakar rally experience. I will also talk to you about my second home, Morocco! I will show you some roadside tips that I learn along the years. Finnaly, I will tell you my tale in Africa including my head on collision accident....
See you there soon

Cabins avail, and details?
 

Hello Folks, just reviewing my options for "accomodations" over night at this event.

I am signed up for camping , but wondering about the option for cabins ... and have a couple of questions:

1) Is this option still available?
2) I see "6 people to a cabin" - are these 6 folks assigned the day of, or has this been already pre-booked and arranged by folks prior to the event?

Just curious, as if possible, I am looking to do a change, and book into a cabin, delete the my camping option. (If possible) - I could pay the extra when I arrive on Thurs.... whadya say?

Thanks!

Hi Randy,

Yes, cabins are still available.

We will be assigning cabins early next week, once we're on the ground at Camp Manitou.

No worries, we can sort it when you get there!

Cheers,
Susan

hello!

I have not registered or secured camping/meals in advance....if I can make the trip after all:

Is it possible for me to just show up and pay registration fees, get a campsite and meal plan last-minute??

Thanks!!!

Absolutely! Just arrive and you'll be made very welcome! We have LOTS of room, and always remember we're travellers - so we're flexible!

see you there!

en route
 

I got a room in Sault Ste Marie, opting not to camp in the rain.


Excited to see everyone this weekend!

last minute decision
 

Sorry, to all who help to organize, for my last minute decision to attend. :oops2:

I'll be riding from Kingston Ontario and arriving Thursday mid afternoon and staying for the whole event, with all meals included.
Hopefully there will be some dry space in a bunkhouse for me. I will have all my tenting gear loaded just in case.

windtogo.wordpress.com

NO problem - loads of cabins available if anyone wants to upgrade! We've had a thorough look round, and lots of options, lots of room.

It is supposed to be dry Friday through Sunday, but...

We forgot to mention to cabin'ers earlier - as well as your sleeping bag and pillow, you'll need a towel too!

Thanks for a great Travelers event
 

Thanks to Susan, Grant, the staff of Camp Manitou, and all the volunteers for a great weekend. I've met a lot of great people and made some new friends. The presenters were not only entertaining and excellent speakers but had the practical information I need to prepare for future bike trips to exotic places. You've certainly given me a lot to think about.

I'll be back again next year if I'm not overseas somewhere on a bike.


Jim Thiessen
Rockland Ontario
2005 R1200GS
redtaco99.smugmug.com/

Great meeting!
 

Thanks HU for the great meeting we had this past week-end. I really enjoy the presentations and it is always nice to meet friends and new people.
And I want to thank those who attend my presentation. It was a pleasure for me :mchappy:

Chantal.

Great weekend
 

It was my first, but not last HU meeting. Very well organized, nice people, lots of helpful information at the seminars and great food.

I've a few pics on my blog windtogo.wordpress.com and some editing to do. I'll try to post some on the HUBB.
I've a couple that are good, although not likely up to Grant's standards. If you want any full res originals just email me.

Super Super fantastic time. Thanks to all who volunteered to make everything run smoothly. To those that presented, I can not thank you enough for the wealth of information we have gained from meeting you. Lori and I wish we could have left on our adventure Sunday morning we were so excited.

We are very much looking forward to the next HUBB meeting we're able to attend.

Thanks again bier

My first, and very enjoyable HU meeting. Very much worth the trip south, from my home in the States, to Parry Sound.

Some of you presenters are very talented story-tellers; you know who you are. I sincerely enjoyed your talents. Lots of passion communicated too. I also came for and enjoyed the ride out - riding motos, isn't that the passion? My travel will continue, with an expanded horizon towards Central and South America.

MikeS

Ont Travellers Meeting
 

Susan and Grant; We had a great time at Camp Manitou,you have outdone yourselves once again. Lots of interesting folks and the presentations were well done and informative,not to mention inspiring!
Hope to see you next year. Neil Ward

We're absolutely delighted that everyone had a great time and were inspired too! :) We had a terrific time ourselves, and it was wonderful to meet so many good people so passionate about motorcycle travel!

If you have photos please post them up here, lots of people have asked us if there are any photos!

Next year is confirmed, Ontario Canada: Sep 11-14 and registration will be open very soon!

hope to see you all back next year with new tales from the road!

Grant and Susan

I had a great and informative time at the Parry Sound HU meeting. I had just about given up on being able to afford to take a six month camping trip through Australia due to the costs of shipping my bike there when I met some serious KLR dudes who showed me what I needed to make it into a decent and comfortable long distance touring bike. I have purchased one since then and am in the processes of kitting it. After a planned trip to Labrador next summer to shake it down, I will remove the after market changes and ship the parts to Australia a year from now. I intend to buy a KLR there, put on the parts tour, sell the bike there and come home with my parts. I would never find this solution anywhere else. Thanks

We forgot our good camera at home (DOH!) but still managed to take a few snaps with the phone.

We were greeted by this. I do often wonder what normal is? I think as long as we follow our hearts, that's as normal as it needs to be.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ps93f21a1c.jpg

Never tried to ride a bike one wheeled...wait...ok maybe I have, but not on the front.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6f43387.jpg

View from our cabin, I know, y'all saw the same thing. But it was a pretty lake.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07cf20e5.jpg

Meeting of the minds, love that BIG chair.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ps818359ce.jpg

This is DA TENT of the moto-tenting world
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2d1de599.jpg

But once you go hammock - you never go back...
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...ps382b778f.jpg

And in case anyone is wondering, the hammock is a Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 dbl, sporting a 20 degree full size underquilt and top quilt both made by Underground Quilts. Snug as a bug on a rug. I've had this set up down to -4c and was very comfortable.

Attachment 10782

Attachment 10783

Attachment 10784

Canada Ontario 2013 HU Photos
 

Thank you Susan and Grant!
This is my second meeting (Iron-Horse last year), and I wish I could attend them all...
A special thanks goes out to Bill Hooykaas for leading us through a great GS ride along the Algonquin trail. Some of the photos from the ride and the parts of the video are credited to him. Like Andy and Keith (who are also some of the ride photos and video contributors) said: "What a hoot!"
Enjoy,
Avner

Short Video: Horizons Unlimited September 2013 Short HD - YouTube

More Photos: HU Ontario 2013

http://www.responsetech.us/fam/hu_ontario_2013/8.jpg

My first HU meeting but not my last! I thought I'd feel awkward but there were quite a few "newbies" and I discovered I had been to a lot more places than I had thought. The friendliness and diversity of the people attending made it great!

I can highly recommend the tiny Ontario village of Neustadt and its excellent brewery run by a family from Wales. Their brown ale is called "10W30". Spent a rainy night in a Polish mom-n-pop motel and made it back to Michigan smiling the whole way.

See you next year!

John Deikis

do anyone know if anyone recorded a gps track for the group ride??

GPS Route
 

If you are referring to the "GS Ride" led by Bill Hooykaas, then here it is (Grant Johnson posted it): http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/eve...guin-trail.gpx

Avner