HU Travellers Meeting North Carolina 2013
THE PREMIER OVERLAND ADVENTURE TRAVEL EVENT FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting
Thursday Aug 8 - Sunday Aug 11, 2013 - Stecoah, North Carolina
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It's All About Overland Adventure
Whether you're a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice hungry for ideas and guidance, it doesn't matter if you ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, or drive an expedition vehicle...
Horizons Unlimited meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled.
Horizons Unlimited North Carolina Event Schedule
The event is taking place from Thursday, Aug 8 to Sunday, Aug 11, 2013.
The Registration Tent will open for check-ins at 1 pm on Thursday, Aug 8, with the first presentations beginning at 6 pm. Last presentations will be Saturday night.
There will be slide shows and tech clinics on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and all day Saturday. Come early and make it a great weekend! We recommend riding on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and participating in the presentations and clinics in the evenings and Saturday.
As well as hearing inspiring stories of overlanding adventure from around the world, you'll get the low-down on preparing for your journey, navigation, first-aid, photography, filming and a host of other essential topics. Whatever your past experience or future plans may be, there's something for everyone.
Presenters at HU North Carolina 2013 include...
Jeffrey Polnaja, IndonesiaRide for Peace - Ride Til the Edge of the World |
Ride For Peace is a continuous motorcycle riding Around the World. Solo ride, no crews, no supporting team. The journey is divided in two legs. The First Leg has been accomplished: start from Jakarta, Indonesia on April 2006, end up in London, UK... Explored Asia including conflict countries - Afghanistan etc, North Africa and Europe.
Now he is running the Second Leg, riding from Paris, France back to Jakarta thru' Trans Siberia, Alaska, venturing North America, Central America, South America, Australia and back to Indonesia in 2015. Right now, Jeffrey Polnaja is in the USA, the 78th country that he has visited...
Peter Bodtke, Clockwise around South AmericaThe Roads Less Traveled: My Latin America Sampler |
Determined to see as much of South America as possible Peter Bodtke rode through countries and down roads not commonly taken by motorcyclist from the U.S., riding through Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Visiting every country except Paraguay, Bodtke visited 21 countries in total, including Jamaica and Cuba, in only 9 months. The time flew by and a schedule sadly pushed me forward, so I call the trip a sampler, instead of an extensive immersion. This presentation will be the travelog, widest selection of stories and photos.
Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons UnlimitedHow it all began. The story of Grant and Susan's 11-year trip around the world, without a plan or a clue! Heaps of great pics! |
"Grant and Susan Johnson are icons in the round-the-world (RTW) motorcycling community. The Johnsons host - or more appropriately write, edit, produce, manage and coordinate Horizons Unlimited - a global network of motorcycle travelers... and a bona fide adventure motorcycling phenomenon." Dan Hilton, Rider Magazine
Mike Williams (ratbikemike)7 months and 10,000 miles on the cheap |
Wandering through Mexico and Central America solo. I went 7 months and 10,000 miles with no spanish, no gps, never used wifi before, nill computer experience, never owned a camera before little money, etc
David and Emy Woodburn31 days in Republic of Congo |
One of the top ten motorcycle journies in the world. We were, we believe, the last overlanders to cross Zaire, as it collapsed into many, many years of civil war. It took us thirty one days of toil, improvization and enormous uncertainty to travel 1,200 miles from Republic of Central Africa to Rwanda.
Doug Wothke, RTW DougAlabama Motorcycling Legend |
I've done a few RTW trips on several bikes I built, as well as the cannonball across the USA on a 28 Indian. After the HU meet, I will head west, doing the Trans America trail on a Harley.
Education
Lenn RainwaterRiding the Alps on your own! |
Lenn Rainwater has ridden over 100,000 miles around the US and Europe. She enjoys planning rides and exploring on a bike. She has learned from others and likes to share her knowledge in return.
Lenn will be presenting two topics:
Riding the Alps on your own
Learn how to plan and prepare including renting a bike, when and where to go. Lenn rode the Alps twice in the last two years. She will discuss what to pack, things to consider in advance such as credit card notification, phone options, getting cash, trip insurance, accident insurance, ways to save money, what type of electronics to take, how to pack, and advantages/disadvantage to guided tours.
Accident Scene Management
Whether you are riding alone or in a group and you find yourself in a situation where a rider has gone down, ask yourself honestly, do you know what to do? I would like to share some tips on how to avoid being a part of an accident and what to do should you happen upon one.
Peter Bodtke, Clockwise around South America9 months on the road, what works... |
Some things work out well, some break down, others never get used...until you need them. On this second international trip I reduced the load, but things still sneaked into my luggage. Some items were invaluable, others were a waste of space. Stories of the few mechanical breakdowns and how they were dealt with. Making adjustments over the course of the trip to my kit and how I reduced the volume of stuff. Will talk about the value of maps and GPS, spare parts, paperwork, healthcare, clothes, rain gear, camping gear and losing many, many, water bottles...
George ParkerYour Bike, Your Dreams, My Travels... |
Alaska / Points Between: Slides, Stories, How To Discussion for Novice Travelers
George has been long distance riding since 1970; his longest trip: VA. to Artic Circle via west and northwest, 13,082 miles.
"I will use slides and stories of some of my trips over the last 40 years to discuss prep and travel in North America and how the novice traveler can accomplish their dream trip. Many riders are hesitant to take a long trip because they lack confidence and/or feel they don't have the gear or bike for distance travel. Emphasis will be on the trip, how to use existing bike and gear, and how to gain confidence to ride anywhere. Discussion will center on how to plan, execute, and accomplish the trip from the novice distance traveler's perspective. Points of discussion will also include: expenses, route planning, camping vs. lodging, repairs, journals, and importantly for the novice, 'distance is relative'."
Grant Johnson, Horizons UnlimitedFix that flat! How to change a tire anytime, anywhere! |
Grant's tire changing seminars are always well attended and appreciated. This seminar covers: how to prevent flats in the first place, and fix them when you get one; the best tools and how to use them for tube and tubeless tires; hands-on practical for beginners to experts, optional tire changing contest.
Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited4 Easy Steps to Overland Travel! You can do it - we can help! Finding your way around Horizons Unlimited, other resources. Lots of great pics and video clips. |
How to navigate the site since the redesign - mega-menus, search, the HUBB. Includes 'How to' content from the Achievable Dream series and great pics from HU Photo Contest winners!
Grant Johnson, Horizons UnlimitedMotorcycle Ergonomics! |
When you picked up your new bike, did they take the time to make it fit you? You'll learn the amazing difference a properly setup bike makes to your riding fun.
LOTS of presentations to come! As people register to present we'll list them here.
How about you? We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and seminars - but we need volunteers to give them! Any topic you can contribute having to do with motorcycle travel, maintenance, planning etc, lasting 20 minutes or more, would be great. Please contact me here to volunteer.
Horizons Unlimited North Carolina 2013 Ride-outs
Rideouts
A guided ride, Saturday:
"The ride mapped out is 140+/- miles. It is very tight both gravel and paved roads for the most part except for a couple 6-8 miles sections. There will be a number of 'bail out' points to return to Ironhorse. Best suited for XR650, KLR, 640 Adventure, DR650, DRZ400. I have ridden all these roads on 950 Adventure as well and the big Tigers, GS's etc should be fine for anyone but novice off-roaders. All on roads, no single track. Plan on min moving time of 4-5 hours. The roads are tight and mostly 2-3-4 gear stuff."
We'd like to have a volunteer to lead this ride. Let me know here if you can. Thanks!
And there'll be more too! Book your place as soon as you get there, numbers will be limited.
Ride leaders and sweep riders wanted!
Do-it-yourself Ride information.
Ian Schmeisser has written a great article on the best roads and backroads of North Carolina and Tennessee - enough to keep you well occupied for a couple of weeks!
Tail of the Dragon / Cherohala Skyway Loop ride
Great information on the "Tail of the Dragon" - otherwise known as US129, near Deal's Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles, can be found on the "official" Tail of the Dragon website. An awesome road! We will have a few maps from the website, but it would be wise to print your own in advance. Available here. There is also info on Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway and 2 Dual Sport rides.
More ride info to come. Send in any you have!
Facilities for a Fantastic Four Days
Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, Cabins and Campground
1755 Lower Stecoah Road,
Robbinsville
North Carolina 28771
For more information:
Telephone: 1-828-479-3864
John & Charlene Powell have been welcoming Horizons Unlimited to Iron Horse since 2004, and a friendlier bunch of folks we've yet to meet!
From their Website:
"Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Campground is a secluded 39-acre resort on Stecoah Creek in the smoky mountains of western North Carolina. We are surrounded by the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains, which provide some of the best motorcycle riding in the world. Iron Horse is within minutes of the famous Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, the scenic Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Fontana Dam, and the Nantahala River Gorge. Gather around the fire at the Iron Horse Pavilion and enjoy a home cooked meal.
The Pavillion includes a large screen surround sound TV with satellite/VCR/DVD, pool table, karaoke, camp store, and your favorite T-shirts and souvenirs. Check your email or browse the internet using our high speed wireless internet service. Connect with your own wireless laptop or use our public computer located in the Pavilion."
Accommodation
Accommodation is NOT included with your registration fee.
Iron Horse offers full cabin rentals, comfortable cabin rooms, creekside tent camping, RV hook-ups, and bunkhouse accommodations.
Covered bike parking and an unloading ramp are available. Guests have use of the spacious and clean wash house with showers and washer/dryer. See here for more details and rates.
NOTE: You should book early for camping and cabins. For rooms or bunkhouse there is a Horizons Unlimited special - stay 2 nights get 3rd night free. You must book directly with Ironhorse before May 31, 2013 to reserve rooms at the HU Special rate. Call them at 1-828-479-3864 or e-mail: i...@ironhorsenc.com
Meals
Meals are NOT included with your registration fee.
"Breakfast and dinner is served daily. We serve quality home cooked meals and fresh baked desserts. All meals are served in the pavilion with comfortable indoor dining, creek side on the deck, or gather round the group campfire. Dining is available for our guests only. Guests should call ahead or sign up for dinner in the morning or at check-in."
Saturday night special: Prime Rib or Fish, includes Salad Bar, Baked Potato, and Dinner Roll
Susan notes: Meals are great, and you will not go hungry! The prime rib is awesome!
More info on their website, and a review of Iron Horse in "Motorcycle Consumer News." (128kb .pdf).
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