HU Travellers Meeting Ontario 2015

Mark Carrera Kazakhstan - Not the land of Borat

In fact, it's much better and more of an adventure. Mark Carrera, a world traveler, will give a presentation on adventures in Kazakhstan where he lived throughout the 1990's. His presentation will cover a little history, his travels from the Tien Shan Mountains to the Aral Sea, and what's currently going on in Kazakhstan's moto-adventure world.

Mark will close his presentation with a very brief introduction to the GS Giants and a question and answer session.

Lastly, as an average-Joe rider and adventurer, Mark has maintained that no adventure is without risk but the media sours the pool with too much fear mongering. Plan on attending his Round Table discussion on safety and security while traveling abroad, or at home!

Walter Romanowski and Jillian Herfurth Maximize Your Limited Time - How to manage 3 motorcycle trips in 7 months with limited time

Walter and Jillian love to get out the maps and the yellow highlighter and plan motorcycle trips. Then they love to set out on them, even when Jillian's vacation time is limited. In 2014 Walter and Jillian visited three of the four corners of North America on motorcycle, including Florida, Arizona and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. Come hear their stories, including how they stayed warm and dry when Hurricane Arthur blew through southern Nova Scotia!

Walter and Jillian have been riding for three seasons. In that time they have both moved up in displacement and acquired seven motorcycles between the two of them.

Nikos & Georgia Dimitriou The Pin Project: the art of traveliving - How to quit your job, prepare your vehicle for a RTW trip and travelive around the world

Quit your job, pack your stuff and just go. We never thought that it would be that easy and so rewarding at the same time. Being on the road since April 2012, offered us life lessons. 2 years in Africa, a bit of Europe and now Americas is part of our RTW trip.

Since age 29, we were following the stereotypes of our generation that means studying in a 'good' university, finding a 'good' job, meeting a 'nice' buddy and set up your house ready to host the Big Greek Family. We were so fed up with our daily routine. Not to mention the Greek recession consequences in all people lives. We were so stressed and also obliged to do something 'good' for our future.

In September 2011, we took the decision to start travelling overland, in March 2012 we quit our good jobs, in April 2012 we departed from Greece so as to travel in Africa, in March 2014 returned back home after two years overlanding in the Black Continent and in January 2015 we are continuing our travels in the Americas.

We decided to travelive for as long as we can stand on our feet, trying at the same time to inspire and share our vision with other people. Nothing is easier than start listening to your deep needs and realizing how simple is the life.

Lorant (Lorry) and Kelli Gombos Central Asia - Pamir Highway on a Vstrom

Our plans for a Central Asian trip were pretty shaky but everything worked out for the best. The idea of riding this remote corner of the world was a combination of dreams, opportunities and very little plans when Kelli and Lorry were living in Taiwan. Something had always attracted Lorry to ride the vast planes and one of the highest mountains of the world. It's a desire that only the most adventurous people can understand. Luckily Kelli is one those and it made the journey even more exciting.

Roaming the Balkans and Turkey - 5 weeks on two wheels just 1 month after starting to date... It made us stronger!

Kelli and Lorry had barely known each other yet they decided to hit the pristine beaches of Montenegro and Albania. No plans again. They just wanted to go with the flow as always. There was a goal though: live on a budget and ride as much as possible. This journey lasted a lot longer than they planned and extended the trip to a long visit in Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and the magical Turkey.

Kelli and Lorry have traveled on two wheels quite a lot around the world despite their young age (this passion is not age related anyways). Lorry has been riding for almost 2 decades and has always itched to go off the map, whether it be on a sports bike, dirt bike or big dual sport. Kelli has done most of their motorcycle adventures as a pillion.

Sarah Stainton Exploring Canada on Two Wheels - Toronto to Vancouver - the solo adventure of a novice rider

What better way to see Canada than by motorbike? You're out in the middle of it.

Born and raised in Toronto, I knew I really had no idea what Canada was all about. What is it like growing up in rural Alberta? How does it feel to be surrounded by the vast emptiness of blue sky and golden fields in the Prairies? Before exploring the rest of the world, I wanted to get to know my own country.

As a solo female rider with only 2 years on the bike, I knew the trip would be a challenge. What I didn't realize was how much it would change me.

Come and hear about my trip from Toronto to Vancouver, but be forewarned – you'll leave wanting to start your own Canadian adventure!

There's something about turning 30 that makes you want to get going with life, to stop dreaming and start doing. For me, it meant getting my bike license. A few years and 50,000 km later, I've ridden solo to both east and west coasts of Canada and can't wait for the next big adventure.

Wolfe Bonham The Cross Egypt Challenge - A 10 day, 3000 km rally around Egypt on 150cc Scooters

With Egypt's tourism industry suffering some local Egyptians decided to take their own personal challenge more global and created the Cross Egypt Challenge. Having just finished it's 4th year, in 2014 60 scooter riders, with 40 of them from over 8 different countries, embarked on a 10 day, 3000 km route around Egypt.

Doing a trip like this on a motorcycle would be challenging enough for some, but on a 150cc scooter it create a whole new set of challengers. Along the way were crashes, breakdowns, health issues, and emotional ups/downs, but also amazing people, vistas, and some of the world's more ancient historical sites.

Join Wolfe as he shows us just how amazing 10 days around Egypt can be!

A study in contrasts, Wolfe is a tattooed Motorcycle Rebel Horticulturist who travels the world investigating the outdoors, gardens, and flowers. Wolfe is always on the lookout for the next cultural experience, the next great garden, the next winding road, and the next stunning sunset...

Chantal Cournoyer 53 000 km to dream - Share with me our 9 month journey through Americas

Our stories with lots of pictures and video will inspire you and make you want to travel from Montreal to Alaska and then to Tierra del Fuego.

My name is Chantal and I love travelling, even more on a bike. I worked for ten years in the motorcycle industry, did a rally in Morocco in 2008 and a 9 month journey with my boyfriend in 2012-2013. We can't wait to be on the road again!

Ross and Jean Copas To Russia With Bikes - Riding the Trans Siberian Highway from east to west and dispelling the myths

After forming a group of 6 to ride across Russia, we spent 2 years planning the trip but the information we were able to find was sparse and often contradictory. In the Fall of 2014, we completed the 12,000 km ride from Seoul, South Korea to Heidelberg, Germany and now have the real story first hand. Come and be prepared to be amazed by this mysterious land! Spasibo!

Ross: "Travel and motorcycling have been my two passions since I was a teenager so doing them together was natural. So far, I have travelled to over 100 countries and all seven continents and the road still beckons!"

Jean: "Started riding when the kid left home and the dog died. At 50, I became the first Canadian woman to complete the Ironbutt endurance rally which taught me how to shrink the map. But the map kept getting bigger and my husband and I have now travelled to over 100 countries."

Michel Levesque 14,000 km, 28 days, 10 states, 6 provinces and one less friend

After 36 years for the same company, Michel decided to take his retirement and thought that a month long motorcycle trip will help making the transition. That trip carried him through all the US northern states to the Pacific coast and back to Montreal through all provinces west of Quebec. What he did not know was that this trip would cost him a friendship. His presentation will cover the challenges of riding with a friend as well as take you to some of the most beautiful places in North America.

At the age of 12 Michel owned his first motorcycle and was involved in Motocross competition until the age of 22. After some time away from riding to raise a family Michel has rediscovered his passion for riding and is back on the road. He has done one big trip and several smaller ones and is planning to explore North America over the coming years.
His philosophy - "Maintenance is roadside repair before you hit the road".

Greg Powell and Bill Hooykaas, Two Ways Down

Tip to tip in the Americas. Two friends head out to Ushuaia in 2011, one rode solo, one with GlobeBusters. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each method, so bring your questions!

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!

Kassie Tyers and Alex Sinclair Music and motorcycles, the two greatest joys!

Kassie Tyers, 27, is from Sudbury Ontario. Her two biggest passions are motorcycles and music. She started singing in grade 5 or so when she was asked ("voluntold") to sing a solo in a school musical. She played in a band for a few years at the beginning of high school, then started writing her own music near the end of grade 12. Kassie just finished her third studio album "Blue Socks", spring of 2014, and just released a brand new single "Nothing Better Than Love" April 2015.

In her teen years, Kassie started racing dirt bikes, hare scrambles races, two of her most fun summers yet! At age 16, Kassie got her motorcycle license, and now, 11 years later, she hopes to one day combine her two greatest joys, music and motorcycles, by touring across the country with her music on a bike.

Alex Sinclair has performed for many years with the folk group Tamarack, touring extensively throughout Canada, the USA, and the UK. With Tamarack he has released 14 CDs, plus four solo albums, and three television specials. He was also resident songwriter for CBC Radio for a dozen years, writing some 300 songs of political satire for various programmes, until Canadian politics became too absurd to satirize. Since 2013 he has been president of the arts organization, Folk Music Ontario.

Lori Ciszek A year on the road. What did we learn?

2up and new to long distance motorcycle travel. 53,000 km down and counting.

In the last year Mark and Lori Ciszek have travelled approximately 53,000 km throughout most of North America including Mexico on their Triumph Explorer. From Ontario to Alaska via Newfoundland, then down to Mexico for a winter like no other. With no previous long distance travel experience, they have learned so many things along the way and want to share some of them with you. Did I mention they were 2up for the entire trip? Come along on a journey through self discovery and learning the ropes of long distance motorcycle travel.

Lori is currently back at work to make a little money to fund the next part of their trip that will start in January 2016, while Mark hikes the Applachian Trail!

Warren Milner The Technology Behind the Adventure - Discussion of engineering compromises in adventure bike design

"Having worked with Japan on product development for the North American market I have gained insight into some of the reasons why motorcycles are built the way they are. I have put together a presentation that discusses some of the more controversial subjects related to Adventure bike design to provide a better understanding of the engineering compromises made and why.

The presentation is about half an hour and will discuss items such as ABS brakes yes or no for off-road, forks conventional vs inverted merits of each, why is chassis flex desirable, what's the big deal with mass centralization, and finally why you should trust the manufacturers rather than some random on the internet. The presentation will be followed by a 10 min Q&A where attendees can ask those questions they've always wanted to ask the manufacturers why don't you just build this, or why not bring this bike to Canada etc."

Warren Milner has travelled extensively through North America all states, provinces and territories. Mexico, some South America some Europe some Japan. Worked at Honda Canada for close to 30 years in tech support, product planning and marketing.

Darren Baptiste, Digital Route Mapping - A workshop to get your GPS actually working for, instead of against, you.

Now that you're inspired to take that big trip, you need to plan how to get from here to there! Bring your paper maps, GPS, smartphones, tablets and laptop computers and learn how to fit them all together to help your plan your route. We'll primarily use Garmin's BaseCamp and OSM map data, but can help you work with whatever kit you've got at hand.

Darren's biggest ride to date - Toronto to Trinidad & Tobago on a KLR 650. He has figured out how to earn a decent living while traveling by motorcycle!

Miguel Arango First Aid

As an amateur rider and with not much time to travel for long periods of time, I am always looking for time to my motorcycle. Unfortunately the risk of an accident is always present and almost for sure I will be the first on the scene. A good management of an accident can make a difference not only in the immediate survival but also in the medical prognosis.

This year, we will have an excellent group of physicians and paramedics talking about different first aid procedures that should and should not be done during an accident. It will include topics such as basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, evaluation of consciousness, fracture stabilization, proper removal of the helmet between others.

We also will include topics around how to prevent illness during our travels, signs and symptoms of dehydration, gastrointestinal infections etc etc. Everything related to a good first aid kit will also be discussed: essential, necessary and optional objects.

Miguel is an amateur rider, originally from Colombia. He is an anesthesiologist with 20 years of experience and a main interest in Neuro-anesthesia. He shares his motorcycle passion and the love for the Canadian and Colombian countryside with his wife Diana.

Diana Londono Yoga for Motorcyclists

Yoga for Motorcyclists - Foundation (60 min talk & demonstrations)

Join me to learn the basic understanding of the importance of keeping proper alignment in your bike and how to build balance between strength and flexibility plus improving endurance. You will learn techniques to improve awareness and how to recover faster through YOGA, supporting your ride even beyond your destination.

From the bike to the mat. (90 min yoga practice)

As bikers we are enthusiasts; we ride matching the intensity of any perceived boundary, so let's use this intuitive desire for joy and freedom by working from our body to our rides, to our life. As you learn to connect deeper to your body your ride experience will be greater, softer in the body, clearer in the mind, attention sharpens, we respect our limits, we live in more connection within our self and with the beautiful environment that is given to us to enjoy and protect.

Recovery between bike rides is important to rest your mind, recharge energy and balance your body with strength and flexibility towards a wonderful journey. Improve your recovery time, sleep and circulation through an all around YOGA practice.

Diana is a certified Hatha yoga teacher. As an engineer and former nationally ranked athlete, she combines the qualities of commitment, organization and responsibility with creativity and compassion. Central to her teaching is her awareness of proper posture and alignment. The teachings of yoga have been a tool to prepare her better in enjoying her rides, a reminder that it is about the Journey, not the destination.

Andrew Pain, the Minimal Motorcyclist Anatomy of Cheap and Take Control of your Packing

Anatomy of Cheap

It's one of the most common questions overlanders are asked - "How do you pay for it?"
Starting with the choice to go, all the way through prep, planning, time on the road and returning home (if you ever do!), Andrew Pain walks you through how to budget for your long overland adventure.

Take Control of your Packing

Tired of being overloaded? What to carry (and what not to carry) on your motorcycle.
Andrew Pain has traveled all over North and South America, most of it on a small, 250cc motorcycle. In this class you will learn about luggage, how to pack your motorcycle for a long trip, as well as what to pack and what to leave behind.

Liz Jansen, Author, Speaker, Adventurer Ride, Write, and Publish

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.

Shattered Dreams - What to do when you hit a trip-interrupting detour

Last year Liz set out on what was to be a minimum one year trip through the Americas, learning about indigenous wisdom.Barely three weeks into the trip, she had an accident which injured her and totalled her motorcycle. Reluctantly, she returned to home base to recuperate and plan anew. Only home base was now different. She'd given up her residence, sold her car and now had no motorcycle.

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

Jody Hatch, Twisted Throttle Organized trips, the answer for some and Outfitting your Adventure bike

Organized trips, the answer for some

Dreaming of that epic motorcycle expedition but do not have the time? An organized expedition may be the answer.

Jody will be showing the highlights of a Peru/Bolivia trip he organized with Compass Expeditions in 2012 and how this may be the answer for those who do not have the luxury of an extended period of time to travel. Discuss the pros and cons of an organized trip.

Outfitting your Adventure bike

Hands on discussion of outfitting your Adventure travel bike.

As an industry rep Jody will discuss how to set up the adventure travel motorcycle and what is essential and what is not for motorcycle travel. A full discussion on what farkles are needed and why.

Jody has been in the motorcycle industry for the past 6 years primarily in the Adventure travel segment. He has been riding for over 40 years and has ridden all over the easten parts of North America as well as leading a trip to Peru/|Bolivia for customers from a shop he was working at. He has extensive knowledge of outfitting Adventure bikes as well as outfitting for moto camping.

Michael Anthonijsz Canbus system

What is Can bus, how does it work, how to connect external users without upsetting your system, how to trouble shoot the system.

Michael travels all over the world for business and vacation, working in the world of process automation. He has lived in Iraq, Japan and Korea.

Ken Wettlaufer Geocaching Basics with on site practice

Learn the basics or upgrade your skills of this world wide treasure hunt game that will take you to many out of the way and seldom discovered areas. An on site hunt will be available to anyone with compatible GPS or cell phone.

Ken has ridden street and dual sport units for more than 48 years over most of Canada and several US States.

Willem (Bill) Hooykaas, A-Z of Overlanding

All you need is money, time, skill, and a sense of adventure!

"I had several years of riding under my belt when I set out on my first adventure way back in 1974 on my second BMW, a 1974 750/6 that I bought new in Rotterdam after finishing school. This was a road bike, but my touring 750cc choices back then were either a BMW, a Moto Guzzi, a Norton or a Royal Enfield Interceptor (remember those?). Then there were only two tour companies conducting bike tours in Europe: Von Thielmann and Bob Beach. I couldn't afford either one so decided to simply head out on my own until my money ran out and see what happened. I had no plans, experience or itinerary.

Bill Hooykaas then and now

Today, I have well over 1 million kilometers on BMWs. I have ridden the length and breadth of the Americas, all over Europe, parts of Africa and Asia. But there is still more to see, so my 2015 overland adventure is riding west from Japan, through Russia, Mongolia, the 'Stans, Moscow, Poland and back to Europe with 4 other riders. Hopefully this talk will not only feed your desire to explore those roads less travelled but also assist you in preparing and avoid some of the pitfalls I have encountered.

Wolfe Bonham Making the Dream a Reality and Moto-Camping Hacks

Making the Dream a Reality - How I took my own personal dream of motorcycle travel and made it happen

For many of us the demands of work, family, mortgages, and societal pressures keep us from taking a leap of faith to step away from "normal life" and venture out on a "journey of a lifetime". In this talk Wolfe will walk you through how he was able to create a lifestyle that allows him frequent long term travel windows, along with all the planning and preparation steps he took in order to begin his semi-gypsy lifestyle.

Moto-Camping Hacks

An overview of motorcycle camping tips, tricks, and techniques I've learned over the years From solo moto-camping in the jungles of Guatemala, to backpacking through southeast Asia, these are some of the tips, tricks, and techniques that have helped me create a "home away from home" while on the road. Learn about gear choices, what you can't live without, and what you can leave at home.

Clinton Smout, SMART Adventures Dirt is not just for potatoes! Practical demonstration of traction loss control in sand and gravel on large dualsport m/c.

I am a passionate rider who has taught rider training for over thirty years. I own an off road rider training school that includes curriculum for adventure touring / large dualsports. I am a BMW GS off road instructor and love helping fellow riders become more comfortable with their own m/c in challenging traction situations.

Initiating traction loss and then practicing how to control it is a great way to develop the muscle memory habits of handling traction problems on loose surfaces. I would also like to illustrate the best way to pick up a fallen m/c, how to mount and dismount a fully laden m/c, how to use your feet to steer a m/c.

I will be riding a BMW GS or a Yamaha Tenere. I will also suggest ways to setup your m/c for extended off road riding (tire pressure, bar and peg adjustment, shut off ABS and traction control etc.) Lastly, I would like to demo slow speed control, counter balancing, and tight turns.

Grant Johnson 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 on what to consider when equipping a motorcycle for overlanding.

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.

Chantal Cournoyer Self-publishing your journey - How to self-publish your stories from the beginning.

Giving some clues on how to self-publish a book from scratch. I will share with you my experience and give you an idea about pricing and the many options you have.

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.

Ross and Jean Copas Packing for Zero to Sixty - Degrees!

Riding from the tip of North America through the heat of Central America to the tip of South America then sailing south to Antarctica required clothing to cover 70 degrees of fluctuation in temperatures and had to be small enough not to take up too much room. It also meant taking parts and tools that you wouldn't normally carry as well as reams of paperwork and documents. And the final challenge-fitting it all into two panniers to prevent theft.

We did it and we'll show you how. This will also be a great opportunity to share ideas so bring your favorite packing tip!

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 'How To' travel overland topics. Includes content from the Achievable Dream series and great pics from HU Photo Contest winners!