HU Travellers Meeting California 2013 Archive

Jeffrey Polnaja, Ride for Peace RTW through 78 countries and still going!

Almost everyone said IMPOSSIBLE when he started his continous RTW journey from Indonesia in 2006. The journey is not easy but doesn't mean impossible. Hit by a drunk driver in the middle of Baluchistan desert, face to face with Himalayan bear in Bhutan and riding thru extreme weather in Trans Siberia became a part of his 'Ride For Peace' journey.

Jeffrey didn't just overcome those problems, he also visited 78 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe. Now, he's on his journey to explore the Americas and Australia. He will visit Cambria on his journey to Mexico and will share his stories, photos and movies with you.

Sam Manicom, Into Africa Africa? A land of eye-opening adventure

The magic of Africa on two wheels, its people & all the things that can both scare and delight an overlander. Every day an adventure!

As a novice motorcyclist (3 months on two wheels) Sam set out to ride the length of Africa. The journey affected him so much that he didn't return home for 8 years, 200,000 miles and 55 countries round the world. Sam will be talking about this amazing land, its people, the funny side of life and plenty of tales of the unexpected; some of which touch upon overlanders greatest fears. The worst can happen but there's always a silver lining.

'One of the best story tellers of adventure in the world today.'

Author Sam Manicom has travelled using various forms of transport including bicycle, sail, and train, and has hitch-hiked in many parts of the world. Returning from his 8-year rtw motorcycle journey, he works full time in the world of adventure travel and is an advisor to the Ted Simon Foundation.

Wynne Benti, True Grit GS Best of the West - Riding solo & packing light, photographs highlight some of the West's more offbeat spots.

Having lived, worked and traveled abroad from Libya to Japan, there is no place like home. Adventure is right here and accessible to all of us. My photographs and stories highlight some of the more offbeat spots west of the Mississippi. Topics include riding Colorado's Fourteeners; Hastings Cutoff taken by the Donner Party; the Great Basin, the Great Northern Plains, Saline Valley, Death Valley, Panamint Valley and traversing Goler Wash from Panamint Springs and back.

Wynne has received BEST Magazine feature awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of California for articles in RoadRunner and BMW On Magazine. Years before learning to ride, She has climbed over 800 peaks in the West, including Baja, Alaska and Japan and was the 105th person to complete the Sierra Club's Desert Peaks list of 100 classic desert mountains from El Picacho del Diablo in Baja to the summit of Weaver's Needle in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Certified by the American Red Cross in Whitewater Canoeing and River Rescue, she has done multiple week canoe trips on a number of large rivers including the Yukon, Colorado and Green. She is a coauthor of guide books, Climbing Mt. Whitney and Favorite Dog Hikes in and Around Las Vegas.

Ben Slavin, A Few More Miles 2up through Western Europe - The art of living off cheese and baguettes

Before starting his new job across the country, Ben and his girlfriend jumped on a plane to Luxembourg, borrowed a 1995 BMW K75 motorcycle and spent 3 weeks riding 2up through western Europe. In this presentation Ben shares photos of beautiful European landscapes, amazing roads in the Swiss Alps, following the Tour de France and of course the world's most awkward soap dispenser...

ALSO

I Wish I'd Known That! Advice for motorcycling the Americas

If you are preparing to ride south of the border, this is a must see presentation. Ben shares a selection of stories from his rides through Latin America. Expect lots of Laughs, a bunch of WOWs, a few Oh My Gods and at least one This Is So Damn Embarrassing, I Can't Believe He's Telling This Story In Public... Learn from Ben's successes and misadventures as you prepare for next big ride south of the border.

Basic Spanish for Riding The Americas - dos cervezas y una baño

No Spanish? No problem! Six months before Ben Slavin left for Mexico, he didn't speak a lick of Spanish. In this presentation Ben will help prepare you for your ride south of the Border. Learn how to build your vocabulary fast, the best way to ask for directions, how to read road signs, important motorcycle terminology and country varieties. Ben Slavin has ridden extensively throughout Latin America and produced several motorcycle documentaries including the popular www.MotorcycleMexico.com and www.TheNewWorldRide.com. In addition to filmmaking, Ben continues to develop other tools for overland travelers such as www.BorderHelper.com and www.RiderMix.com. When he's not riding around the world, he can be found working in the Bay Area and saving every penny for his next big ride. Check out www.AFewMoreMiles.com to keep up with his travels.

Michelle Nilles Adventure Sports in Central America

Experience ziplining, canyoning, and caving as I describe riding through Mexico & Guatemala with a wetsuit and climbing harness!

In 2010 I did a solo ride to Guatemala and back, after having joined HU and learning how to ride in 2009. It was the most exciting adventure of my life!

Nicole Espinosa, Rugged Rider When Serendipity Rides Pillion

Many balls have been kept in the air over the past five years. From raising kids, keeping a business afloat, being the managing editor of Adventure Motorcycle magazine, to helping my boyfriend recover from cancer… it's been a juggling act. But, there's one ball that's helped retain sanity during all this time—"Jack," my motorcycle. A few months ago, it was finally time to hit the road again, this time with only one passenger… Serendipity. Come experience how the awe-inspiring lower four western states of North America took me through a spiritually moving transition that's led to more of life's answers… all through a series of "happy coincidences."

Nicole's thirst for adventure was born as a young girl camping on the shores of Whidbey Island, Washington. Yet, it was the gleam in her Uncle Mike's eye, as he rolled into their driveway astride a Harley on a U.S. tour, that sparked the five-year-old's passion for motorcycles and adventure. Since then, Nicole jumped into solo adventure riding around the U.S. in order to encourage her kids to live life to its fullest. In addition to writing for magazines, you can find Nicole designing dual-sport and adventure motorcycle accessories for her aftermarket business, Rugged Rider. What's next? Nicole is planning a world tour with her children and boyfriend aboard a pair of Ural sidecar motorcycles.

Brian and Sandra Smith, VStrom Adventures How the heck did we get here (Morocco)?

Combining great pics, video and a question and answer session covering a 15 day circumnavigation of Morocco from Tangiers, Chefchouan, Fes, Merzouga, Dades gorge, the High Altas mountains, Marrakech Essaouira, and the western coast of Morocco.

Brian is a 46+ year veteran of motorcycling and has adventure travel experiences spanning 14 years with wife/pillion Sandra. Their trips have covered 3 continents 25 countries, 65000 kms, and 180 world heritage sites. Their most recent trip in 2013 included previously unvisited Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania. They consider their travel strengths to be in trip planning and systems integration.

Sandra is the travel analyst in this pairing and makes most of the selections of where to stay, ethnic foods to experience, and sites to see. With training as a dietary technologist, food, is a central part of ensuring a meaningful cultural experience. Her batting average for the last 3 trips is very close to 1000, and the biggest gem ever experienced was as a result of her 'find' of the 'Convento de Cristo' in Tomar, Portugal , a World Heritage Site. As a passenger, she began riding with Brian when they started dating over 42 years ago, and, takes a very active role in all aspects of travelling by motorcycle.

Cliff Danger The Bunny Teeth movement

Lucy, Cliff and a box of Bunny Teeth - Traveling the world and spreading smiles one pair of teeth at a time.

"I love a good road trip. Whether driving my 62 Chevy from Los Angeles to NYC or driving a Fiat Punto 2000 miles around Scotland. I am on an endless journey of self exploration and exploring the wonders of the world.

I found my newest transportation in Saigon, Vietnam on a humid December day. Lucy is a 1975 Minsk-built in Belarus- that took me on a great adventure throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. A previously owned Vietnamese Minsk motorcycle is neither luxurious, comfortable or reliable. That said Lucy took me on a great journey and I have grown very fond of her.

This fondness led me to spend a silly amount of money bringing Lucy back to the US and restoring her to what I can only assume is better than new condition. Everything has been welded up, replaced or rebuilt. She still isn't a luxurious or comfortable ride, but I hope she is reliable.

Lucy and I are traveling around the United States taking pictures, handing out Bunny teeth and meeting wonderful-and sometimes grumpy strangers. Come meet Lucy, hear me ramble and get your own set of Bunny Teeth."

Fred Walti, the Restless Traveller 2 Up. 90 Days. 9000 Miles in South America

Don't miss the trials and travails of two baby boomers riding through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Uruguay on the first leg of their ATW trip. Two years in the planning didn't help as things started to go wrong from the first day in Buenos Aires. Learn about using Skype to troubleshoot technical problems, the do's and don'ts of shipping and what are the must-see places.

"Boy motorcycle racer, adult AdMan (no, it was nothing like Ad Men), Internet Titan, (for 30 seconds I was worth $40 million), serial entrepreneur (some things are hard to shake), management consultant (to major and minor leaguers) and amateur writer (pretty obvious). Along the way, I raced on the banks of Daytona and didn't get killed, somehow met The Right Woman the second time around, went to more universities than a classroom full of kids before persuading NYU to fork over a diploma, was the only guy I knew who took two briefcases to work every day - and I mean every day - and have always been a rabid fan of going fast in/on anything with wheels.

I'm most proud of surviving my various motorcycle escapades: winning 70+ races and numerous club championships, racing two legendary killer bikes - the Kawasaki Z1 and Yamaha TZ750 - and not getting killed or maimed, riding a bike for four days in Kathmandu's traffic, crossing the Andes on a dirt road crammed with Dakar competitors. I have somehow convinced my wife, Karen, to travel the Western US, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Nepal and parts of South America two-up on a motorcycle without killing either of us. And we're still talking... mostly."

Sandy, Terry and Jack Borden, Adventure Trio Fleeing the Burbs: We're outta here!

Making the decision to sell the house, sell the business, and educate the kiddo on the road for a year (or more).

"As a family of 3 on 2 BMW GS's, we find life on 2-wheels more fulfilling than life in the burbs. Jack, now 12, has been riding on the back with Terry since he was 5 years old with Sandy following close behind. Jack's only going to be a kid once so the memories we're creating are more precious than anything.

We finally made the decision to take our lives back and flee the usual. We'll be departing from the HU Cambria 2014 meeting and heading south through Central and South America, home-schooling Jack as we roll. Actually, it's going to be an education for all of us as we've had a mortgage since we were 22! With only a little home to come back to in Northern California, it's time to shed the unnecessary and show Jack, and ourselves, life beyond the suburban bubble."

Ken and Carol Duval, Australia Life on a Bike - 6 years on the road!

2UP traveling on a 32 year old bike through all South American countries and north through Central America to USA & Canada.

Road works in Colombia

"In 1997 we left on a 1981 BMW R80 G/S for an 18 month trip around the world and were away 4 years 2 months & 17 days through 57 countries & 200,000 kms. We sold everything and set off again in 2007 for our 2nd RTW. So far we have spent 3 years in South & Central America & this is our 3rd summer in North America. Next year we will be heading to South Korea, Japan, Russia, Mongolia and Europe. Now our life is on the bike."

Carol 'sun baking'

Jeremy Kroeker, Canada Through Dust and Darkness - KLR through Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Jeremy Kroeker has traveled to over 30 countries with his motorcycle and done at least one outrageously stupid thing in every one. One October, he rode from Canada to Panama in an attempt to flee the pain of a broken relationship. Motorcycle Therapy - A Canadian Adventure in Central America tells his story of personal discovery, friendship and reconciliation that occurs along the way.

More recently, Jeremy rode from Germany through the Middle East into Iran, and finally through North Africa before returning to Europe. His second book, Through Dust and Darkness, is coming Fall 2013.

Doug Laird, USA Nuts & Bolts of Planning Your Adventure

Anyone, with some riding experience and using the tools available can safely travel the world on their motorcycle.

"Motorcycling has been a pastime since 1965. Having done extensive touring in the U.S, Canada and Mexico I figured I could plan my own trip from Deadhorse to Ushuaia. After about a year of planning and following the various blogs, etc. it became clear to me that the trip I planned would work just fine.

I found the HU site very useful and used much of what is posted to plan my first adventure. It all rang true.

Shipping bike, air freight, Panama City to Bogota

After having so much fun on the 2011 trip I'm now planning an Around the World trip in 2014."

Iain Harper, UK Travelling With Purpose - About the role of The Ted Simon Foundation and the work of its Jupiter's Travellers.

Iain Harper is the Co-founder and Executive Director of The Ted Simon Foundation and co-organiser (with legendary adventure traveller and author Sam Manicom) of Horizons' HUBB UK event.

Mike and Jo Hannan, Australia The Alps beyond Alpine roads. There is more to the European Alps than the pass roads.

The Alps, running from Slovenia to France, are widely thought to be the best motorcycle roads in the world. Every year many thousands of riders make the pilgrimage to test themselves in the high passes. The Alps, however, also embody a complex mix of history and cultures which can enrich a motorcycle adventure.

This presentation takes a look at these wonderful motorcycle roads through a selection of historical events and cultural features.

Mike and Jo Hannan have spent three seasons riding the high roads and their second travel book "High Road Rider - mountains, motorcycles and myths" will be published by New Holland early in 2014.

David Rankine, USA Your Alaska Journey

A former Alaska resident gives you pictures and ideas on how you might travel there and back for a perfect vacation trip.

David also will be presenting on South America, including useful tips for planning a ride there.

Penguins at Valdez Peninsula, Argentina

Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego

Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited How it all began. The story of Grant and Susan's 11-year trip around the world, without a plan or a clue!

Way back in 1987, before the Internet, two young and naive Canadians set out from Vancouver to ride around the world on a motorcycle. The plan (and budget) was for 3 years, but it didn't quite work out that way!

Wynne Benti, True Grit GS Seven Highways at the Top of The World - 10,582 miles from California to Alaska: Klondike, Tok Cutoff, Glenn, George, AlCan, Dalton, and Cassiar Highways

This photographic presentation combines narrative and photographs to help other riders plan a trip to the Arctic Circle on their own. Topics include: Training: Getting into physical shape, training, technical ability; Packing: survival, lightweight and dry, water filter, food, camping gear; Equipment: documents, border crossing, communications, Garmin, Spot, limited cell reception, ear protection audio; Planning the route: determining mileage per day, selection of campsites mechanical issues, miles of dirt road . . .

Ten months after learning to ride a motorcycle solo, Wynne Benti rode 10,582 miles to Alaska where she celebrated her 52nd birthday. For Wynne, who lives in Bishop, California, a ride anywhere requires crossing several mountain passes or remote expanses of desert from Death Valley, the hottest place on earth, to the Sierra Nevada.

Nicole Espinosa, Rugged Rider Shooting Trip Photos for Publication

As managing editor for Adventure Motorcycle magazine, Nicole will give you the ins and outs of the types of photos that capture the eye of publications. Learn about what cameras to take on your trip, and how to frame exciting shots for more emotionally engaging storytelling. Find out how to catalog and organize your photos, as well as how to utilize the basics of photo editing software. Then learn the secret to publication submission success of photos that accompany a story outline.

Fred Walti, the Restless Traveller Rewiring Your Life for Travel

Being able to travel aimlessly - and at will - has been a long-term ambition of Fred and Karen Walti. They've traveled throughout the US, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, South America, Nepal and Europe - usually on two wheels, but sometimes on four. The biggest challenge isn't planning the trip, but reconfiguring one's life to facilitate prolonged travel. Far from expert, they will share their work-in-progress to reconfigure their life to to pursue their love of wandering. This will be an interactive session with lots of audience participation. Fred covers the 'Eat What You Kill' job mentality as well as tips on using technology, cost cutting, simplifying and other hard earned tips.

Henry Tate, Making your bike go the distance

Strategies for motorcycle longevity without over maintaining, also motorcycle discussion about staying safe on the road.

Also,

The joys of a filthy motorcycle - Why a clean bike isn't always the best thing to have. Keeping your bike clean offers up the the idea that someone might want to steal it, or perhaps want to rob you. 'Time spent cleaning is time not spent riding'.

"I have been riding since 1956, and covering about 1.2 million miles. I ride every day, and use motorcycles as primary transportation. I do all of the maintenance on my bikes, generally get over 100,000 miles on them. I am wearing out my 46th motorcycle at this time."

Molly Martin, USA Staying healthy and alive on the road.

Retired mountain guide and Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, Molly Martin has surfed, cycled, climbed, and motorbiked around the world and survived mostly unscathed. Between trips she teaches college mathematics.

Bring your full face helmet and foamie for some roadside medical care fun. What to pack in your medical kit.

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Fix that flat! How to change a tyre anytime, anywhere!

Grant's tyre 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 tyre changing contest.

Grant's tyre changing seminar at HU California meeting.

Mike and Jo Hannan, Australia "The secret to a good travel blog". How to produce a travel blog to record your journey and captivate your audience.

Many people keep a travel blog but many are boring and seldom read even by friends. With a little planning and forethought anyone can produce a quality blog that has people hanging-out for a new instalment. This presentation provides a little guidance on blogging and a check-list for success.

Mike and Jo have been riding and writing for a living since 2007. They keep a successful blog which has been the basis of two successful books (so far).

Grant and Susan Johnson, Horizons Unlimited 4 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.

"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

This seminar will cover - 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!

Brian and Sandra Smith, VStrom Adventures Trip planning /Systems Integration (GPS)

Want to take control of your trip and ensure you maximize your time, effort /money and not get lost? Here's how a 150 day epic adventure was hatched.

Workshop Objectives
1. Identify the benefits/ differences of pre-planning versus 'seat of the pants' travel as it applies to GPS and other systems including internet, tablets/phones and computers.
2. Recognize how this type of planning allows you to make great spontaneous decisions.
3. Introduction to structured trip planning where time, distance, routes and destinations are all considered. Works for any size trips.
4. Recognize the 3 major different types of GPS coordinates from various sources, like websites, Google Maps, and default GPS products and how to work with these to get to where you want to go.

Pete Nesbitt Be prepared!

"I prepared or should I say over-prepared down to infinite detail, best laid plans and all that!! It was very apparent to me really quickly that not all big adventurers are that well prepared and others are left totally dependent on good fortune or maybe the help of others. So many what if's can blow all that.

I did a big trip up into Canada, then a trip to Texas and thought I was ready to do a RTW, man did I still have a lot to learn. I am really good mechanically, ok on electrics and great with people but my learning curve was huge when the planning and actual trip began.

A big part of my story is how a group of 7 turns into a group of 1 in 3 days, this might happen to you too so maybe you can learn from some of my experiences.

We had a plan that lasted only a few days and I was all alone in Siberia when I had promised my wife that we had this fantastic group effort all arranged, safety, medical issues etc. no problem. I am resourceful but when I finally had to tell Mrs Nesbitt that I was alone I knew the outcome."

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Bike mods and ergonomics!

Grant will host a bike 'Show and Tell' - bring your bike and show us your favorite travel mods. Critique and discussion.

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.

Ergonomics demonstration at HU Canada West meeting.