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!
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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!
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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."
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One thing that annoys me about Itchy Boots videos is she claims to be "alone" the whole time. I am pretty confident that this is not always the case, but I think she pretends it is that way to get more views and support.
Do you have any evidence of this, or are you just hating on her?
You must make sure everything you use is always on the bike, nothing popping into shot that's been in the support van for days. No sudden use of a massive tripod or reflector for better shots. No extra glass on the hotel table.
Anyone you meet on the road must be somehow stopped from posting on social media with the same producer in the back ground.
You must be careful to edit out any refference to the support. No one passing you stuff from off screen.
A drug mule and their minder might do it, but they are staying off social media.
A production like Long Way Whatever can do it by editing with the continuity supervisor taking notes.
A pod cast of this type though? Managing it when studio based TV gets a runner or assistant in shot often enough?
Still, let's see if there is anything by way of additional information. It's certainly a bit of a wild claim to make without anything extra.
One thing that annoys me about Itchy Boots videos is she claims to be "alone" the whole time. I am pretty confident that this is not always the case, but I think she pretends it is that way to get more views and support.
That's awfully strong, effectively calling her a serial liar.
Some of her quotes: I'm a Dutch woman traveling alone...
Riding a motorbike on your own in Ladakh as a female solo traveler...
I've ridden 150.000 kilometers solo around the world and still counting!...
I've lived, worked and traveled solo in more than 80 countries by now...
A solo traveler on a mission to travel the world by motorcycle...
traveling alone also pushes you to face every struggle by yourself...
She consistently describes herself as a solo traveller, so why should you be so confident she is lying?
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Do you have any evidence of this, or are you just hating on her?
Evidence she was not traveling alone?
No hard evidence, and again, I really do not care either way.
I became skeptical when I saw her Darien Gap episode where she was in Turbo, and the boat part where she was going to Panama.
I made that trip myself. Turbo is not a city where you can leave your bike unguarded for any period of time. Someone was there watching her bike, making sure nothing was stolen.
I could be wrong, but I don't think she covered the boat part to Panama very much, because she didn't want to show the other bikes and travelers on the boat.
No hard evidence, and again, I really do not care either way.
I became skeptical when I saw her Darien Gap episode where she was in Turbo, and the boat part where she was going to Panama.
I made that trip myself. Turbo is not a city where you can leave your bike unguarded for any period of time. Someone was there watching her bike, making sure nothing was stolen.
I could be wrong, but I don't think she covered the boat part to Panama very much, because she didn't want to show the other bikes and travelers on the boat.
I became skeptical when I saw her Darien Gap episode where she was in Turbo, and the boat part where she was going to Panama.
I made that trip myself. Turbo is not a city where you can leave your bike unguarded for any period of time. Someone was there watching her bike, making sure nothing was stolen.
I could be wrong, but I don't think she covered the boat part to Panama very much, because she didn't want to show the other bikes and travelers on the boat.
She left her bike at that underground car park so it was safe whilst making arrangements. Also she met up with someone (Juan) in Turbo who did the actual arranging - so whilst she was not alone as a traveller she was - unless you include the people that pump her gas, lift her bike on and off boats etc in which she had a load of people with her, personally I don't include them.
She has not been alone the whole way - she met up with Charly Sinewan for a bit and then whilst she was mending after a crash she was with Ed March. If she was with someone, then she wouldn't have needed their help.
This is all people looking down their noses at someone that is out there, doing it. For me, I find it interesting, I am not an avid watcher but it is interesting - and seeing how she copes with the events that life throws at her is reassuring (particularly border crossings).
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Sigh... many posts are now unapproved. "The thread has been nothing but chauvinism, sour grapes, envy and arguments. Not HUBB's finest hour."
Also discussions of k'nap potential aren't a great idea for obvious reasons. It may be a low risk discussion here on the HUBB, but a google search will find all sorts of things here.
__________________ Grant Johnson Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------ Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997! www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,479
Noraly filmed and posted on YT a couple of nigerian cops who asked her for money, although in a relatively non demanding way (my personal view) But absolutely not what a copper should do towards a foreign traveller anywhere who had done nothing wrong or against the law.
Luckily the nigerian court system got an interest of this and didnt let those dishonest cops getaway with it. They are not cops anymore and probably never will be again and its seems they got to spend some time behind bars too….
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
I'm happy they got caught but the cynical me thinks that the only reason this was dealt with and televised is because they were caught on camera. When someone blatantly demands money and not even during an actual infraction, then it's deeply systemic.
Watching her videos of Nigeria in quite a few of her interactions one can see a familiar tactic that many women learned when they were young; keep smiling and be jovial ... because it's all a joke, until it isn't.
That was the feeling I got when she spoke with the police who asked for money - if you say "oh, you're so silly, haha, yeah that's a good joke!" then they can stay in the "shroedinger's douchebag" zone of saying it's all a joke and play it off when they don't get their way. The moment you start to freak out or take it as a serious threat, they'll escalate.
Watching her videos of Nigeria in quite a few of her interactions one can see a familiar tactic that many women learned when they were young; keep smiling and be jovial ... because it's all a joke, until it isn't.
That was the feeling I got when she spoke with the police who asked for money - if you say "oh, you're so silly, haha, yeah that's a good joke!" then they can stay in the "shroedinger's douchebag" zone of saying it's all a joke and play it off when they don't get their way. The moment you start to freak out or take it as a serious threat, they'll escalate.
I haven't watched this video, but your description of this "tactic" sounds precisely what I've always done, too. For women it's more important, since there is (sadly) survival value in it which comes into play a lot in normal life.
I've also had experiences where I crossed the line into being too jovial--the response being "So you think this is a joke, son...."--and others where I pushed too hard or let my impatience show, provoking a dangerous escalation.
FWIW, I don't think anyone travels by bike much in West Africa without having similar experiences periodically. Same in Latin America, parts of Asia, places like Ukraine. And to be fair I've seen it on rare occasions in the USA as well. What she did is not unusual, but from the sound of it she's highly skilled at it.
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...
"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
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.
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
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!
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!
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!
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.'
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.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
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.
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