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!
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 Difference Tips 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 greatly 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.
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."
Road Heroes"Inspiring and hilarious!" (only on DVD)
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!
Ride TalesPost your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Search Forums ONLY searches the HUBB, and not well. Use Site Search to search everywhere.
Nice pics guys, great to see some travelers having a proper look around!
If you make it to Rotorua in the North Is come & visit. Will PM with contact details.
Cheers
Clint
That's great Clint! That's awesome, thank you! We are going in your area on our way back from the northern part of North Island, we will let you know.
Have a good one!
Episode 21 - Motueka Valley, Okiwi Bay and Ferry to North Island
This video shows part of our ride on three consecutive days: through Motueka Valley via Tapawera, then back to Nelson, going north to Okiwi Bay and Elaine Bay on a very curvy and hilly road. Some scenes were taken on a trail to Goat Hill where there's a nice lookout and lots of surrounding noise in the 'jungle'. We took the very beautiful and winding Queen Charlotte drive to Picton. Finally, you will see the scenery from the ferry crossing the Cook Strait on our way to Wellington.
This video is about 17 minutes long.
View from the lookout at Goat Hill, going to Okiwi Bay DSC_0409 by Claire Girard, sur Flickr
View from a lookout near Havelock at the beginning of Queen Charlotte drive DSC_0417 by Claire Girard, sur Flickr
Here's a map showing our itinerary for the third portion of our trip in South Island. We have added about 1000 km more in that section, therefore a total of 4400 km riding all around South Island to Picton, where we left on the ferry on Feb 27.
Here are two new episodes and some pictures covering from February 28 until March 4th.
Episode 22 starts on the West Coast, riding from Wanganui on Hwy 3 North, swimming in HUGE waves at Opunake Beach where we spent our first night. On the following day, we passed by Mount Egmont on our way to Stratford, then we took hwy 3A North and then hwy 3 along the coast up to Hamilton where we visited the BMW dealer. On the following day, we rode along Karangahake Gorge, Waihi and went camping at Wentworth Valley DOC campground where you will see we had to cross a ford (first experience for us!). This episode is about 7 minutes long.
Episode 23 presents the first two days spent in Coromandel Peninsula where the weather was fantastic! You will see the beautiful walk to Cathedral Cove as well as the amazing Hot Water Beach before and during 'rush hour' at low tide. This is quite an experience, fun to watch!! We continued our way up north where we met many other riders on that gorgeous day. From the lookout, we see Coromandel Village. Finally we took Colville Road to the end of the pavement, a little bit farther than Colville.
This episode is 18 minutes long. Some sequences have been accelerated (2X).
Here are two new videos and a bunch of pictures from our rides in North Island.
The first video (Episode 24) starts in Auckland where we spent a few hours walking around and visiting the central library. Then we crossed the Harbour Bridge heading North on the east coast, we saw Pakiri Beach, Mangawhai Heads and Whangarei. As you will see, we had to go through quite some rain and the road was pretty slippery. At 14:06 on the video, you may notice that a white car came in my lane and slowly slid back to give me way. A moment where you feel your stomach under contraction...
That's the kind of incident that happens once on each of our trips, so I should be good now for the rest of the season...
After seeing Tutukaka, Hikurangi and Helena Bay, you will see a landslide near Oakura Bay (14:40), close to where we ended that day, camping near Bay of Islands where we had heavy rain during the night. But, our tent kept us dry and the sun came out the next morning so that our equipment could be packed easily and kept dry. The video is about 15 minutes long.
Episode 25 which is 12 minutes long starts in Parekura Bay under a great sun. We visited the beautiful town of Russell and then took the ferry from Okiato to Opua. We crossed Northland from east to west on highway 10 and 12. You will see the great sand dunes of Hokianga Harbour and our visit to Waipoua Forest where we could see beautiful kauri trees, unfortunately under a lot of rain...
Riding under heavy rain, North Island - Episode 27
Hello again!
In the previous episode we were complaining about the rain, but that's nothing compared to what we had to go through on our way back south to Auckland. Episode 26 starts with us leaving Waipoua Forest on the west coast. Riding on hwy 12 South to Dargaville (50 km) was probably the most difficult portion of our trip as we had heavy rain and gales (100km/h). Both of us ended up at some point on the other lane as it was impossible to stay on ours...
However, before getting to Auckland, we had quite some fun in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park as well as in Piha and Karekare. The Arataki Visitors Centre is quite nice!
Finally, after a drive on Tamaki Drive, we tried to escape from Auckland on a Friday afternoon. That wasn't the greatest idea.... We finally gave up as we were completely soaked and exhausted...
This video is 16 minutes long.
Here are some maps showing our itinerary in North Island. We have added about 2300 km more, therefore a total of 6700 km riding all around New Zealand so far.
Lower North Island, from Wellington to Auckland
Map 4
Northland East Coast from Auckland to Russell
Map 5
Crossing Northland to the West Coast and back to Auckland
Episode 27 - Auckland to Lake Rotorua, North Island, NZ
Hello!
Here are some new episodes, pictures and maps completing our journey on North Island.
Episode 27 starts south of Auckland, the morning following the heavy rain. You can see how the land next to the Hwy 1 is flooded. After a quick stop in Ngaruawahia to see how high the water level had raised, we continued on Hwy 1 to Tirau where interesting buildings have been shaped with corrugated steel. We rode to Rotorua on Hwy 5 where we found a lovely town with lots of flower beds, natural springs and mud pools. We camped that evening at Lake Okareka, a very nice quiet campground near the lake. As you will notice, we had heavy rain again the following day but we were rescued by a lovely couple, Rosie and Clint. :
The sun came back the following day as we rode around Lake Rotorua and to Te Puke, an area with many fields of growing kiwifruits. We rode along Bay of Plenty, went through Matata and Te Teko before coming back to Rotorua via Hwy 30, a very pleasant ride!
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)
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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
"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
Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books availablefrom the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
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.
17Likes
We finally gave up as we were completely soaked and exhausted...
Hybrid Mode
