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2 Oct 2018
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We set out west on the #1 first to Bowness to see Dan’s Aunt Annamieka . We had learned that his Uncle was very sick when we were in Toronto and decided to speed out trip to try and see him. He unfortunately passed away just after we left Toronto towards Calgary. We were sad to miss him, but still happy to be able to visit with the family.
 Screen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.09.55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3285 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
It is now 2 degrees and we rode further west to the #22 and then south to Bragg Creek and west again to Pridis. On the way here it was 1.5 degrees!!
We arrived to the home of Blaine and Lenka who had a nice wood fire stove stoked up for us. Blaine we first met in Banos Ecuador in 2013 and then again in Ushuaia in 2014. He has been to SA and even Ushuaia several times and the last in 2017 with Lenka. It was so nice to finally meet her. She even knows Orvar as they were on the Stahlratte together in 2013. She prepared us a very delicious lunch and Blaine talked with “word gusts” up to 15 words per second. Actually we had a great time hearing telling and listening to each others stories.
 FILE3292 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3298 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 IMG_3489 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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2 Oct 2018
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Looking at the weather, the highway cams, and pavement thermometers along our route today look like it will be optimal as predicted. This is a 24 hour window of warmer weather.
 Screen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.22.55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
Setting out from Springbank it was 6 degrees, but it warmed up to 8 by the time we got to the Banff National Park.
 FILE3449 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3467 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3469 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3522 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3528 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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2 Oct 2018
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2 Oct 2018
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It was a bit colder between Banff and lake Louise down to 4, but when we got stopped for 30 min for blasting near 15 km from Field it was 3.5 and we had to do some jumping jacks. In total we had 4 traffic delayed for construction of the twinning of the highway and today this cost us over an hour.
 FILE3586 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3591 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3598 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3603 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3610 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3612 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 Canada-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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29 Oct 2018
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We headed west on the #1 to Sicamous and then south on the 97 A to just past Armstrong.
From there we went on the 97 North to just past Monte Creek, where we did a small detour on Duck Range Road.
 FILE3756 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
 FILE3765 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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29 Oct 2018
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From here we headed into the city to an amazing welcome home at Dan’s parents.
 IMG_1096 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr
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29 Oct 2018
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OVER VIEW 2017-2018
Serbia
This time we spent more than a few hours here in this country. The roads are in pretty good shape and the riding is nice especially along the Danube. The food is meaty, but good.
Bulgaria
Fantastic riding to be had here especially if you have some local knowledge. We were lucky enough to have Assen from Bumot motorcycle luggage guide us here for 4 amazing days. Friendly people and really great food! Addicted to the Schopka salad
Turkey
We started out with a bad taste when the border insurance guy tried to rip us off for 300 Euros, but it was all up hill from there. Turkish people are very friendly and if you stop your bike for more than 60 seconds you will certainly be offered tea by someone. Very hospitable. There is some nice riding here, but because of our time line we could not spend anytime on the west coast or the southern part and this is where many of the ancient sites are located. We will be back.
Georgia
The drivers here are angry and aggressive and all of us could not wait to get off the road every day. Out of their cars they are very nice actually, but behind the wheel watch out. Fantastic mountain riding and scenery despite the mud!
Armenia
We did not know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. There some nice riding here, but we spent most of our time in the north and dealing with visas. The riding in the south is scenic. Yerevan is a very nice and cosmopolitan capital with a lot to see.
Iran
The people here are what makes it so special. They are the most hospitable and welcoming people we have met so far. They are so keen to meet and speak with you and quick to tell you that the Iranian people are not the regime. The riding is long straight 4 lane roads for 400+ km a day, but you are here to meet people of a unique culture anyway. We had a mandatory guide, which was good and bad, but we managed to make it work for us in the end. Drivers here are totally oblivious to anyone around them. They just drive where they want. Disappointed by the trash and general cleanliness level.
Turkmenistan
This is a strange country for sure. Very difficult to access and cut off from the rest of the world. It is a bit Orwellian here with the grand boulevards and the massive and ornate buildings lining them. The people for the most part were very friendly and the women wear the most stunning colourful traditional outfits.
Uzbekistan
There are some nice spots on the silk road, but the riding is not scenic and hot. We felt the population control here and the police state nature. The black market and lack of benzene made things a bit more challenging. We had the strange stalkers for 3 days and were not sure if they were criminals or government agents? Mostly courteous drivers and very clean country.
Tajikistan
Surprisingly nice here. Clean and well maintained. The drivers here are again normal. There is a larger police presence here, but we were not hassled too much. The Pamir was everything we expected and more.
Kyrgyzstan
We did not know what to expect here and were very pleasantly surprised. There is some great off road riding and the night we spent at Song-Kul lake was epic. 20% of the drivers are aggressive and dangerous. Despite rumours we were never pulled over by police.
Kazakhstan
This is a huge country and there is almost nothing between the south at Almaty and the north at Astana. Astana itself is a very strange Disney like Capital. We had been told the police here were the worst, but in 5 days they never even gave us a second look.
Russia
We were so happy to find the people here are warm and friendly unlike the brash and loud Moscovites you meet when they are abroad. The roads and full of truck traffic and construction. It was nice to be back in a first world country (clean bathrooms and TAP).
Mongolia
This was the total package with a completely unique culture and surroundings. A physical and mental challenge at times. This was EPIC for sure. We had very high expectations of Mongolia and it did not disappoint.
China
You will love and you will hate China and the “Chinese Way”. Drivers are distracted disrespectful and dangerous. The pollution is INSANE! The rigidity of though and rules is extremely frustrating. Having a guide is always a major challenge. But the culture is ancient and fascinating. Tibet was a special frustration and fantastic adventure at the same time.
Laos
We did not get enough time in Laos. The riding is fantastic the people friendly and there is no traffic.
Vietnam
We did not bring the bikes because of the cost and guiding required. There are way too many people and scooters and the place is covered in trash.
Cambodia
Very friendly smiley people, great food, and incredible ruins. There is not much for riding, but the drivers are courteous. There is a terrible garbage issue here.
Thailand
Ahhh back to the first world. Civilized driving and no garbage! We made the mistake here of not going back to the north of Thailand, which we loved so much the last time we were here, but we are “Asiaed” out.
Malaysia
Was a real surprise and as we had no expectations it was a good one. This is a very culturally diverse nation where people seem to be very tolerant of race and religion. We are here at the edge of the rainy season and it is still wet and hot some of the time.
New Zealand
So nice to be in the first and western world again. This is the most like Canada of any country we have been. We had to deal with the massive sticker shock of course. The riding here is no adventure as even the off road routes open to the public are tame. The scenery here is very nice, but not as spectacular as much of what we have experienced already. The speed limits are almost alway 100 even when the conditions say it should be less. Kiwi’s in general are speeders and tailgaters!
Australia
PAIN in the ass! We had been told that the hassle was not worth it and they were so right. Outside of Victoria, NSW, and Queenstown there is NOTHING! It is hot and wet or hot and dry here. The bureaucracy of Oz customers is unrivalled. Australians are comparatively not very friendly. Despite this we have quiet a few very friendly Australian friends. We have also run into a lot of racial intolerance, which gets worse as you get to the NT. WOW!
Timor Leste
Nice to be back to a bit of an adventure. Small country but varied riding.
Indonesia
Great riding on Flores and Sulewesi, but the ferries are a real drag and dangerous 2 sank in the 2 weeks we were there. Covered in garbage unfortunately. Friendly people.
Brunei
Weird little country with not a lot going on.
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29 Oct 2018
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29 Oct 2018
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Hi Sara and Dan,
Thanks for your very interesting and inspiring articles and beautiful pictures on the HUB. I enjoyed it very much and hope to hear more from you in the future. (I can not see you going to a 9 to 5 job after a trip like yours  )
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg
My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a BMW R1200GS
My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
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1 Nov 2018
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2 Nov 2018
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Just read the last page...
Now i will have to go to the first page and start reading...
looks like you had wonderfull time though..
Mike
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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...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"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
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
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.
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