Heiko Gantenberg Notch the World following the Ink Trail - A journey dedicated to the Love of Tattooing and riding Motorbikes

My journey "Notch the World" started in May 2014. I follow the "Ink Trail" and research indigenous Tattooing I find along my way... A Motorcycle still seems most appropriate to me for this mission, it will provide access to remote spots and assure flexibility in even the biggest metropolitan areas. I have planned to travel continuously for two and a half years. Start was in Germany, so far I have travelled about 95.000 km via Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan ,India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

My Motorcycle has been fitted with a second battery, this allows me to work for a continuous work day. Tattooing with the Tools I am used to, completely independent from High Voltage Electricity. I want to reveal both, the Shiny Big City Tattoopalace and the simple Villagetattooer at the end of the trail. Just to show what they all have in common...the Love for the most ancient Art known to humankind.

Heiko Gantenberg, 49 Years old from Germany, has been on the road since May 2014 on a rtw journey on a 1994 Honda Africa Twin.

Michal Pawlina Nothing but the boots - 12 days in Yunnan, China

Kelly had nothing but the boots, but two weeks free, and a desire for eternal youth in Shangri-La. We joined an organized 12-day Ride China trip - Dali, Lijang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Wexi, Shaxi, Stone Forest. We started with a guide and 3 riders, but after a minor accident had to improvise...

The presentation will offer a sampler of Chinese culture, minorities, food and ... motorcycles - Jialing 600. Ups and downs (and several Unesco sites) that we were lucky to experience on a two week trip to Yunnan in June 2015. And happy to tell about... A goat in a tiger place... Monkeys?? up there... and KawaGarpo's revenge ... Respect the temple...

Michal: "I am starting to mature after 40+ years of owning and riding various motorcycles. Initially Jawas and 'largest in a country' 350 Junak, most recently 'hot' italian (Aprilia Caponord 1000) and Shrek (green Vulcan 1600). Last year after China, Shrek visited Colorado, this spring Capo has seen lots of Alaska."

Alex Chacón Making your Dreams Become a Reality

Have you ever dreamed about going around the world, starting up your own business, begin the overwhelming video editing process, getting over your personal fears and uncertainties about yourself or a specific country or place, or find yourself without the knowledge, tools, examples, or inspiration and motivation to succeed in your business or personal ventures in life? Are you overwhelmed, anxious, lazy or lacking self confidence?

This presentation is a motivational and inspiration multimedia talk that will teach, empower, inspire and give you the tools you need to follow to succeed in your dreams and goals in your personal life, your motorcycle adventure, or the beginning of your online video presence. Finding your passion and motivation to follow your dreams is a difficult process if you don't have the right tools or knowledge to leverage and cultivate your ideas into a reality, it may never see the light of day. This presentation will open your eyes to the possibilities of success in your own life and goals despite the uncertainty you may have about it.

Alex will share his guidelines, mental preparation processes, inspirational stories, motivational examples and experience to teach and educate you on everything you need to know to take that first, seemingly impossible first step to make your weekend ride or accomplish your trip around the world for a year, or get started on using social media, creating videos, or finding what format or process is right for you.

This talk covers: Leadership in teams, and personal life. Self-empowering techniques and tools. Visual examples of trends and starting points for your own life. Organizational techniques and methods for success. Personal examples of failure and success. Proven techniques for progress personally and professionally and more.

Meet Alex Chacón, the 28 year old, University of Texas Graduate and medical student who sold all his belonging 3 years ago to travel around the world on a motorcycle across 200,000+ Km, 41+ Countries, 75+ borders and 5 continents to work directly with and raise awareness for charitable causes. He is a Social Media Influencer, YouTube Talent, Video Producer, Professional Photographer, Inspirational Speaker, Global Motorcycle Adventure Rider and International Traveler/Blogger.

Emily Roberts, Ontario to Alaska - 23,000km in 3 months, a perfect first trip for an 18year old

At 18 years old I thought it'd be a good idea to take my mom's bike and go for a bike trip... little did I know what that entailed. Travelling on a 650 Suzuki Gladius through the Northern states, BC, up to Alaska and back. Without a GPS, and much of a clue I went through a life changing experience within 3 months. Not to be done of course, without a little hard labour involved, lots of bears, a toe in my mouth, and the unfortunate collision of a deer to my bike.

Riding motorcycles has been a big part of my life since 6 years of age. From Alaska to Africa, I've gotten to ride some amazing things... and don't plan on stopping now!

JD Smith, RTW Moto Tours Darien Gap and 50 + Countries

Darien Gap

I bought a 100cc motorcycle in Panama January of 2016 and drove to Yaviza and floated to Paya and had to return to San Blas where I headed to Turbo and then up river to Singapur where I crossed the Darien Gap overland with a motorcycle. 2 1/2 days of overland transit and 13 porters!

 

Iceland and the Faeroe Islands

My travels from Denmark, via ferry to the Faroe Islands and Iceland, 8 days with Alex Chacon to travel and fly drones.

Germany to Spain, Andorra, Morocco and Portugal

JD Smith is the 5th documented overland passing of the Darien Gap with a motorcycle. He has been to 50 countries, 35 on two wheels. Every state in the US and Mexico and every province and territory in Canada. Darien Gap Overland. Every country in Central America and most in South America.

Alexander Conrad 30 days in Russia - Ukraine to the Ural Mountains and south along the river Wolga into Georgia

Going West to East Alexander travelled for 30 days across Russia in fall 2013. Constantly dealing with bad weather, rough locals and without any knowledge of the language he had to battle several issues, from a lost set of keys, getting rejected in hotels, ending up in the hospital and getting a visa-extension denied. After 6.000 km in Russia, riding along the Wolga-river, visiting former Stalingrad and seeing many remote places he managed to leave the country as scheduled on the 30th day of his visa over the Caucasus-mountains into Georgia... Come and see a very intense experience about the largest country in the world!.

In 2011 Alexander took off from Germany, leaving his job, career and old life behind. Since then he has travelled more then 80.000 miles in over 40 countries across Europe, Asia and is now continuing his "Motorcycle-Therapy" along the Panamericana since early 2015.

Nevil, Michelle and Jessica Stow, 9MMFF Nine Minute Moto Film festival - A collection of short overland movies from around the world.

The 9 Minute Moto Film Festival™ (9MMFF) came about because we were trying to come to terms with the hours of footage that we had taken on our adventure/helmet cameras whilst on various trips. It dawned on us that we knew nothing about editing all this material into something half presentable. After all, how many of you have been invited over to someone's house to watch hours of helmet cam footage with the road or trail just coming toward you? Well, we were probably the ones that who took that footage! So the challenge was set. We wanted as many of our friends as possible to have a go at editing their helmet cam footage into something interesting. Thus, the first 9 Minute Moto Film Festival™ came to be ...

Click on the image to watch Nita and Issa Breibish 'Nine Hundred Days in Nine Minutes' RTW story!

And wow, were we surprised when we saw some of the entries?! We had actually tapped into people's creativity and the results were so amazing! The 9 Minute Moto Film Festival™ was born in May 2015. It attracted a small audience that submitted a variety of home edited short movies that captured the essence of motorcycling and travel. Within days, word had spread across social media sites. Suddenly we were being asked by people from many corners of the globe how they could submit an entry. Does this mean that the 9MMFF became 'international'? We'll let you decide but remember, it's about ALL things motorcycle and travel so, if you're a traveler or overlander of any sort and you're filming your adventures, we want to show your work in a place where it will be appreciated.

.....and why only 9 minutes? Nevil says 'Because that's my attention span. I'm usually asleep in the cinema at the 10 minute point.'

Horizons Unlimited is pleased to partner with MotoExped and We Love MotoGeo to bring the 9MMFF to HU Meetings worldwide! Come along and vote for your favorite films!

Krista Harris and Dan van Dalfsen From I to U - Inuvik to Ushuaia - How two newbies traveled from Northern Canada to Southern Argentina and are still friends.

The thought of going top to bottom is intriguing to most of us but the "How" is a daunting question. First of all we took it in two parts. In June we went to Inuvik and Alaska. Then in October we rode out of our driveway and just kept going south. We did need a little help getting over the Darien Gap and there were a couple of ferries but 25,000 kms later we got to the end of Route 3 in Southern Argentina. An amazing trip because we live in an awe inspiring world full of wonderful people. We knew this before we left, even if our friends and families were worried about us, but it was nice to have it confirmed again and again.

Daunting yes but let us break it down for you. We will share our story and along the way we will cover; what we took, what we shouldn't have taken, what we were prepared for and what we did not anticipate. We will discuss how we dealt with border crossings, language barriers and how we spent 100 days together and still came home friends. If you are new to overlanding we hope that we will inspire you and show you that anyone can do it. If you have been travelling for years you will enjoy our tales from the many 'learning curves' of bike travel.

We have only had motorcycles for five years but we have spent a lot of time on them. We started with cruisers and trips across Canada and to the Grand Canyon but we have moved on to V-Stroms and travels to Inuvik and Ushuaia.

Trevor Hughes Riding across historic British Columbia

Learning about the history of BC is a big part of why I ride. From ghost towns to tall tales, I hope to share what I've learned.

Trevor Marc Hughes has written two books about his motorcycle travels across British Columbia, his home province. He loves BC's vibrant history and can't help but stop and learn about the First Nations heritage of a region or the boom and bust stories of mining towns long gone. He hopes to share a little of what he's learned with other riders.

Trevor Marc Hughes rides across his home province of British Columbia. In his book "Nearly 40 on the 37: triumph and trepidation on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway" he rides solo up BC's remote road. His new book "Zero Avenue" has him riding along the US border through the Kootenays to Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, a place where two nations meet.

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!

Alex Chacón High-Impact Video/Picture Creation and Viral Marketing Training

High-Impact Video/Picture Creation and Viral Marketing Training

This course provides training for users who need to create highly engaging professional video/pictures using the current trends in Video Production, Social Media, Marketing and Attraction.

During this class you will learn to develop viral marketing techniques in an authentic way that connects new hardware, software and effective marketing methods.

This course includes a combination of lectures, hands-on labs and instruction:

• Use software and apps for rapid video production and post-production(Lecture and hands on training)(Professional training on Adobe Premeir Pro, After Effects and Photoshop along with 3rd Party Editing Apps)
• Learn about current trends in camera equipment and gear, including drones, DSLR's, and gimbals along with 4K quality and how they can effectively tell your story
• Learn effective techniques for viral video editing, including stop motion, time remapping, fast edits, time-lapse, 360 video, selfies, branded content and more
• Understand production costs vs. output and gain from a business and marketing perspective
• Effectively and safely leverage your brand in your viral video efforts, including vlogging, professional pre and post productions and concept development
• Learn to monetize on digital media with content and videos
• Maximize views through attraction methods and distribution networks.
  

See Alex Chacón's fantastic short video on Iceland - Why it's the most beautiful country on Earth!

Social Media - Everything you Need to know about Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat + Q&A

This class will take you through the basic fundamental understanding of every major social platform, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat and more.

We will discuss current trends, how to have success with your content, how to monetize your channels, how to connect with brands, creating your own brand, types of content to create for sharability, marketing and distribution of your content, creating viral content, becoming famous and recognized, raising money or making money, and more.

The last part of this class will be a lengthy and specific Question and Answer session with the King of Selfies, and one of the most recognized motorcycle adventure riders on the internet today who will share his secrets to success with you.

Watch Alex's 3 Year Epic Selfie - Part II

Meet Alex Chacón, the 28 year old, University of Texas Graduate and medical student who sold all his belonging 3 years ago to travel around the world on a motorcycle across 200,000+ Km, 41+ Countries, 75+ borders and 5 continents to work directly with and raise awareness for charitable causes. He is a Social Media Influencer, YouTube Talent, Video Producer, Professional Photographer, Inspirational Speaker, Global Motorcycle Adventure Rider and International Traveler/Blogger.

Liz Jansen, Author, Speaker, Adventurer How to react to unexpected trip-altering and life-altering events and Ride, Write, and Publish

How to react to unexpected trip-altering and life-altering events

In August 2014 I'd started what I thought would be 12-18 months on the road, exploring my ancestry and the role of culture in shaping us. A few days after being at Nakusp, I experienced a trip and life-changing crash. This year I'm returning to Alberta from Ontario to continue what I started. Although not how I planned it, the past two years have been intrinsically rich and rewarding. Arriving at Nakusp this year will mark the completion of a significant cycle.

This is a story about embracing change and seeing life's detours as part of the journey.

Ride, Write, and Publish

How to write about your travels so others will want to read it, what you need to know about photography and how to get your work published.

Learn how to capture your stories in words and pictures, so that others are intrigued and want to read them. Find out if you need a blog, best blogging practices and what it takes to get your work published.

Tammy Perry Getting the Most Value from your GPS - Before, during, and after your trip!

This is a full-out beginner's course on how to turn it on, get updates and maps, planning your trip, using it to get from point A to point B, downloading your tracks, and getting the most value from your GPS.

In 2014 I sold absolutely everything I owned and packed a KLR for a ride from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador to Panajachel, Guatemala. I get lost at the local Mall, so for the Solo part of my trip, I employed some interesting navigational techniques to get me to the HU meet in Yosemite on time.

Kevan Ibbotson (Dirtpig) Basic Roadside Repair - also known as First Aid for your motorcycle

The English would call it a "bodger" repair or us Canadians might call it a 'farmer fix' but basically it means 'How do I get my bike back on the road so I can get to the next town with a qualified mechanic to get it fixed properly'.

Designed for the novice rider who has little mechanical skills and who is concerned about having to make that dreaded roadside repair.

Does duct tape or WD 40 actually fix everything? No, but you'd be surprised what will plug a leaking radiator.

We will go over basic mechanical applications of the motorcycle: fuel, electrical and cooling systems, and how to diagnose their failure. What tools and repair materials to carry with you and how to use them to find out why your bike has quit working. More importantly we will review how to use on hand items to get yourself back on the road.

Kevan Ibbotson began riding dirt bikes in 1974 at age of 13. He has owned/ridden everything from a Hodaka to 3 Goldwings - only bike not yet owned is a Harley! He has traveled from Arctic Circle to Central America on motorcycles - not always successfully! He's participated in the Baja 1000 and been a member of Rally Raid Canada Dakar race team.

Kevan says: "I started riding bikes back in the day when you had to work on them yourself due to reliability issues and fact that there were little or no bike shops around where I lived. This was when two stroke motors were the norm and a spark plug may only last 500 miles before it became so fouled it would not work. By replacing parts, tinkering, breaking and then fixing it again you slowing learned how things worked and how to keep them working.

It helped that I grew up around my father's machine shop so I had access to tools and mechanical knowledge when I needed it. Remember this is before internet days, before mass available cheap repair manuals - think Haynes - and if you rode exotic bikes like a Hodaka there was not necessarily a dealer nearby. You had to figure it out, fix it or not ride it.

Some of the fixes were brilliant - some not so - but they all got you home. And that is the point."

Roger Smith Just Go! A Rookie Rides North

Planning a first big long-distance overland trip can get stressful. Don't let this happen to you! This presentation from a rookie rider perspective is all about keeping things simple and just getting out on the open road. Topics for discussion include: pre-trip planning, dispelling pre-conceived ideas, route and navigation along the way, gear & equipment, motorcycle choice, insight about northern road conditions, what stuff works and what doesn't, what to pack - and importantly what to leave behind, costs, and how attitude is one of the most important components of any successful trip. Stress less, ride more. Just go!

Roger has experience on dirt bikes, sport-touring bikes, and is now on a 1200GS, his "big boy bike." He's travelled 20,000km by motorcycle in the last year on multiple trips throughout Western Canada and into Montana and Idaho. He still considers himself a rookie rider. In June 2016, to celebrate his 50th birthday, he jumped on his bike and rode north to Dawson City, Yukon, over the Top of the World Highway to Alaska and back down the Cassiar-Stewart Highway, covering almost 7,000km in 11 days - Solo. He is passionate about solo adventure travel and "Just Going."

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 be an overview of various 'How To' topics. Includes 'How to' content from the Achievable Dream series and great pics from HU Photo Contest winners!

Trevor Hughes Anxiety and Adventure

Worrying about problems that could arise in a motorcycle adventure is something riders experience. How can you live with adventure anxiety?

When I was on my first remote solo motorcycle adventure, one I describe in my first book "Nearly 40 on the 37: triumph and trepidation on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway", I found myself nearly paralyzed with fear. I worried I wouldn't get back to my family again. Preparing myself mentally for all possible eventualities and pitfalls I could face, but unable to see that both myself and Kawasaki KLR650 were doing fine, I felt I may have missed fully experiencing being in the place I was, and fulfilling why I was out there in the first place.

The anxiety cycle is totally illogical. It doesn't take into account what's actually happening, just what could happen. But since that journey I've learned to use certain strategies to help me prepare mentally for a long journey ahead of time and while on that long journey. I'm no psychologist or counsellor, but I have learned to live with anxiety as best I can and get myself out on more motorcycle adventures as a motorcycle travel writer and author. I hope that those attending my presentation would be alright with getting their anxieties and fears out on the open and sharing their own strategies as well as to how to deal with them.

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Fix 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's tire changing seminar at HU California meeting.

Karen and Kevan Ibbotson Hands on Emergency First Aid Clinic / First-on-scene

Hands on Emergency First Aid Clinic / First-on-scene. How to safely remove a crash helmet, check for spinal cord and head injuries, and what first aid supplies you might bring on a trip away from first world medical care. Bring your helmet and a mat to lie on.

Karen is a trauma nurse (BSN, RN, ERsp) and Kevan is a trained Medical First Responder.

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.

Honda Canada Honda Canada will be bringing some bikes and gear to drool over, and will be doing Honda Demo rides!

RTW Moto Tours is an international tour company, offering a 45 day moto tour of Western Europe, NW Africa, North Cape and Iceland. Its founder, JD Smith, is 45 years old and has been to every Mexican and American State and Canadian Province and Territory, and to 50 countries, 30 on two wheels and 350,000 miles on two wheels. JD Smith will also be doing presentations on his Darien Gap adventure: "I bought a 100cc motorcycle in Panama January of 2016 and drove to Yaviza and floated to Paya and had to return to San Blas where I headed to Turbo and then up river to Singapur where I crossed the Darien Gap overland with a motorcycle. 2 1/2 days of overland transit and 13 porters!"

WANDRR Motorcycle Tours provides budget tours and self guided tours of the USA and Baja, Mexico. We are also the North American representative for Andy Strapz motorcycle gear made in Australia.

The Rocky Mountain Adventure Bike Touring Company specialises in all inclusive Adventure Motorcycle Vacations in the heart of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, we exclusively use The Honda CB500X "adventure" By Rally Raid UK, in association with Giant Loop of Oregon.