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25 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Jun 2010
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Dream V Reality
Hey folks!
So I have a chance of taking voluntary redundancy from work (I’ve applied for it and just waiting on confirmation whether I will get it or not)
My wife and I have travelled many many times in Europe, we’ve been to North Africa and ridden the dunes of Erg Chebbi. We’ve shipped the bike into Iceland and travelled round the island for a couple of weeks and we’ve always dreamt of eventually giving it al up one day to go travelling “proper”.
We’re not loaded with cash, but the funds from this redundancy can give us the finance to actually live the dream. Riding east from the UK through Europe and beyond, The Stans, Russia, Mongolia et al. Or more recently with thought about riding the Pan American Highway all the way down to Ushuaia.
I’m also thinking that being the wrong side of 50, I’ve got a good job I enjoy, a decent pension and maybe thinking am I getting cold feet, now the dream is quite possibly a reality?
Those of you who has packed it in and followed your dream, what made you take the plunge?? Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
Thank you
Gav & Jack
Last edited by Grant Johnson; 26 Oct 2021 at 22:47.
Reason: removed bad characters
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25 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Sep 2016
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Hey Gav and Jack
In a nutshell - my mom was 65, diagnosed with cancer, dead three weeks later.
I am now 55 so thats only 10 yrs older than me now. 
Did the sums, renting our house out will comfortably pay for us to travel so today we finally decided to do it. Taking our daughters and heading OS later next year.
We are not going to take a vehicle at this stage, but will have one prepared back home just in case we change our mind. A good friend is an immunologist and has concerns that the Covid mutations may shut everything down again so I want to be able to get out of dodge real quick. So monthly AirBnB’s and public transport - at least we will mingle with the locals 
Once that changes we may go vehicle based.
Good luck.
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25 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Ethiopia
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The biggest risk is not taking any risk.
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25 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
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I have never met anyone who has done someting like that and regretted it, I can also think of several examples of people who had planned something like it later in life and had either not lived long enough, not been physically capable or just plain lost interest and said I wish I had done it when I was younger so I think if you have the opportunity take it.
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25 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeGee
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I’m also thinking that being the wrong side of 50, I’ve got a good job I enjoy, a decent pension and maybe thinking am I getting cold feet, now the dream is quite possibly a reality?
Those of you who has packed it in and followed your dream, what made you take the plunge?? Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
Thank you
Gav & Jack
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Co-worker/friend of mine died from leukemia; he was 54 a year older than me.
Do it while you can you don't have an eternity. And you don't need much If you are frugal and make right choices; friend of mine manages to travel on $500-800 a month using money from renting out his place. I don't know how he does I guess he doesn't put many miles I need $30-40 a day but I ride 10-14hr if I can.
As for getting cold feet it's normal, I get jitters every time. Goes away quickly just stay positive and take one day a time. There will be good days and bad days but you know what? If every day was perfect how would you know it's good?
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26 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Sep 2016
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Recently I signed up to a FB site for retired people from the service I was with.
They have a section for those who have passed. OMG there are lots in their 50’s and early 60’s. Time ticks…
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26 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Jun 2010
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Hey Homers GSA sorry to hear about your Ma mate.
Thanks for the positive vibes you good folks! We spoke at length about it last night (travelling) and we kept coming back to the same, “yeah we have to do it” like one of you guys say, yes there’ll be bad days, but hopefully plenty of good days in between. We’ve got everything crossed now hoping I can be successful with my VR and we can make real in roads and get some things tied up ready for the off!
Thanks again guys  
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27 Oct 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeGee
Hey Homers GSA sorry to hear about your Ma mate.
Thanks for the positive vibes you good folks! We spoke at length about it last night (travelling) and we kept coming back to the same, “yeah we have to do it” like one of you guys say, yes there’ll be bad days, but hopefully plenty of good days in between. We’ve got everything crossed now hoping I can be successful with my VR and we can make real in roads and get some things tied up ready for the off!
Thanks again guys  1: |
Just don't put all your money and cards in one wallet; waiting 6 days for FrfExed replacement in Central Asia will make you some friends but may leave you hungry and needy for a few days roflol.
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29 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeGee
Those of you who has packed it in and followed your dream, what made you take the plunge?? Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
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I did decide to start, because it will get harder to do it any year.
Career, Kids (or grandchildren), Income (who gets higher at age), Setting (close friends)
Did start three times, with 2month / 6 month / 2 month
We did discuss here about that topic recently:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...t-ideal-101733
Was a very good discussion and should be a good read!
Surfy
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30 Oct 2021
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeGee
we’ve always dreamt of eventually giving it al up one day to go travelling “proper”.
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Hello
"...being the wrong side of 50, I’ve got a good job I enjoy, a decent pension….taking voluntary redundancy from work"
I don't know what that means in your situation and country.
Go for travelling, but if you have to come back and earn a living again, don't forget that.
Only break bridges you don't need anymore or can build up again.
sushi
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10 Nov 2021
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
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In January 2011, at the age of 33, I set off to travel the world on a motorcycle.
The dream: a quick one year circuit of the world and back to my career.
The expectation: it will never work out. A few months and I'll be finished with travel, probably finished for life.
The reality: more than a decade later I am still traveling the world. 3 years on the motorcycle through the Americas and Europe. Since then, traveling with a backpack. Planning to return to motorcycle travel once covid related border restrictions are less problematic, hopefully 2022.
I admitted a few years ago that this lifestyle is permanent. I love my nomadic life. But I never could have planned this, never could have dreamed my current lifestyle. If you travel long term, meaning more than a few months, it will be nothing like you expect.
Don't focus too much on the money. Long term travel is more about the choice to travel, not the amount of money in your bank account. And there certainly is no such thing as "the wrong side of 50!" Many of my best friends among long-term travelers are in their 60s and 70s.
See you on the road!
Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
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11 Nov 2021
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by othalan
Don't focus too much on the money. Long term travel is more about the choice to travel, not the amount of money in your bank account.
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Hello
How do you travel without money on your bank account?
Every trip costs a different amount of money for other people, but for all money is the mayor factor that enables to travel.
sushi
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11 Nov 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831
Hello
How do you travel without money on your bank account?
Every trip costs a different amount of money for other people, but for all money is the mayor factor that enables to travel.
sushi
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I am always amazed at the creative ways people travel with very little money, or even no money. One of the more interesting was a motorcycle traveler do small home repairs. Sometimes he received money, but usually food, gasoline, a place to sleep, etc. If I remember right, he had been traveling a few years this way and rarely used money.
I have seen many times that money has very little relation to how long a personal will travel. I'm not saying don't use money. You can of course, money is a wonderful tool! But if you truly have the drive to travel for years at a time, it will happen no matter your bank account balance. Over the past decade of travel I have run out of money twice and at times been unable to access money in my bank. Never occurred to me to stop traveling for such trivialities.
You may find this blog post I wrote of interest. I talk about both dream vs reality and the choice to travel.
https://seduc.in/blog/the-choice-to-travel-full/
End result to your original question: be creative! If you truly want to travel the world, you will find a way with or without money.
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12 Nov 2021
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by othalan
End result to your original question: be creative! If you truly want to travel the world, you will find a way with or without money.
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Hello
Bottom line, you can travel on your own money or sponging off others.
It is also a mind-set, I travel to feel freedom, doesn't work for me if I have to look everyday for the next poor guy I can sponge off.
Usually a backpacker thing, saw a lot of them while travelling, but have never connected with them and their mind-set.
To be honest, they disgusted me.
sushi
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12 Nov 2021
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831
Hello
Bottom line, you can travel on your own money or sponging off others.
It is also a set of mind, I travel to feel freedom, doesn't work for me if I have to look everyday for the next poor guy I can sponge off.
Usually a backpacker thing, saw a lot of them while travelling, but have never connected with them and their mindset.
sushi
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Yes, there are too many backpackers who "sponge off of others." Irritating people. I am not advocating this. Work for what you receive. Use money. Volunteer. Play a musical instrument. Fix things. Teach skills. Whatever you want, be creative! Receiving a meal for your effort is no different than receiving money for the same action, it just cuts out the middleman (money). There are more ways of interacting with people than money or freeloading.
Clearly this forum has no interest in the perspective of real travel experience and only wants to misinterpret unexpected perspectives. So I shall bother all of you no more and return to my world wanderings.
Enjoy your travels!
Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
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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...
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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
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"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
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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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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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