HU Travellers Meeting Queensland 2017

Martin Williams Is That Elephant Really Going to Eat My Motorcycle? (Or why you should be careful with mangoes)

There is no right or wrong way to organise a trip. For many, planning and researching are almost as much fun as doing. For me, it never seems to work out that way - despite best intentions (and regular self-admonitions that THIS time it will be different) - I always end up at the start unresearched and under-planned. This is the story of my last such trip and of how a supposedly four-month quick ride up the east side of Africa somehow stretched to eight months, and eventually took me from Cape Agulus in South Africa to Nord Kapp in Norway: a trip which involved many little adventures - losing my motorbike before I even started, watching it being molested by a hungry elephant in Zambia, getting detained by the army in Egypt, and even managing to lose one girlfriend at the start of the trip and finding another at the end. It reminded me that, if nothing else, lack of planning means you are never bored. What's around the next corner is always a complete surprise!

Ed Gold Capturing Images That Last for a Life Time

Ed is a freelance documentary photographer known for exploring and documenting some of the world's most remote communities. He's also a keen motorbike rider. Ed will discuss his travels and how you can capture where you go and the people you meet to create memories that last a life time.

Maureen & Buzz Bernard Buy & Sell How to buy and sell a bike overseas

Maureen and Buzz share inside tips on how to buy and insure bikes overseas for travelling, then sell them when you're done with them. Buzz is a laid-back guy who loves to travel with his "Pillion in a Million" while Maureen keeps it real.

Scott McMurtrie, Transcendant Travel Panamerica Facts and figures of the Panamerican Highway

From the Arctic Circle to Ushuaia, having ridden over 50,000km in 16 countries through the Americas, Scott will present the great (and some not-so-great) moments, review the facts and figures from the trip (including budget vs. costs), and take your questions in an informal session.

Scott says: "Last Christmas, I was talking with my sister and discussing where in the world we would like to travel to. We both agreed that South America would be a great place to ride through and I immediately thought that the Pan American Highway would be an awesome ride. She pointed out that there may not be another opportunity for me to do such a trip and most people never get the opportunity to complete an adventure like this. So with that conversation the seed for the Panamericana trip was planted."

John Harpour Quick Spin Through the Himalayas Nepal: the adventure rider's budget, short-break paradise

Riding in Nepal was something of a happy accident. A cheap air fare and a moment of madness sent John and a couple of friends on a full-on, three-week trip into one of the most accessible, fascinating, and challenging countries that could have been tailor-made for adventure riders who are time (and money) poor. The distances covered are small, but the experiences are huge on this trip into the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. John shows you how to pack a whopping amount of adventure into a short period of time and do it on a ridiculously small budget.

With a normal busy life, John isn't an overlander by any stretch of the imagination. By focusing on achievable budget-conscious travel, however, he has crossed Australia, wobbled about California, done New Zealand, been terrified in India and awestruck in Nepal...so far...with much more to come.

David Hicks Choose Your Own Adventure I Would Ride 5000 Miles, I Would Ride 5000 More

1. Choose Your Own Adventure

Do adventures have to be long overseas trips? Do adventure bikes have all the farkles? Do adventurers have to give up their jobs? Deciding to go on an adventure can be challenging enough, but what about when you start hearing that you *must* do this or *have to* buy this, have this experience, have these skills? David considers himself an adventurer, but not because of any single trip. Riding in the front paddock on a borrowed bike with second-hand safety gear, on overnight trips less than 100 km from home, whether on the Mongolia steppes on a hire bike or sleeping in 5 star hotels, adventure is what you make it! Find out how to choose an adventure that suits you and how to make it happen.

2. I Would Ride 5,000 Miles, I Would Ride 5,000 More

A wild story about a casual ride through the nordic countries, Russia, the "Stans" and Mongolia to the ends of the earth. After embracing the idea of taking a year off from work to "follow his bliss", David started working on a plan for one of the all-time legendary status trips: London to Magadan. Inspired in equal parts by Walter Colebatch and adventuring souls in his past, David set off on his first solo overseas trip, with a little bit of language, a few online contacts, his HU password, a handful of throttle, and a heart full of hope. Hear the story of an epic trip that has shaped his life.

After working all over rural Australia, David opted for a desk job in civil engineering. Encouraged by his wife, he rekindled his boyhood love of long trips on two wheels. Flying 'rockstar' trips, riding local roads, across the arctic circle, through the "Stans", crossing the Simpson, riding the TAT and working to ride, David is the definition of making up your mind and doing it.

Andrea Brosnan How Do You Say "Hospital" in Mongolian? Get On the Damn Bike!

1. How Do You Say "Hospital" in Mongolian?

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. It was certainly and adventure! On her honeymoon in Mongolia with the wind in her face and the steppes in her soul, Andrea had a near fatal accident that changed her life. Find out what happens when everything you planned does not go according to plan.

2. Get On the Damn Bike!

Andrea is a novice rider, intermediate traveller, and expert storyteller. Growing up in Queensland, she was encouraged by her family to travel and adventure as much as possible. Having lived on four continents and moved more than 36 times, she is well-versed in visa requirements, packing, and the thrill of the unknown.

Jacqui Kennedy, Postie Notes Around Oz on a Postie Bike. Seriously?! Droning On

1. Around Oz on a Postie Bike. Seriously?!

Go slow. You don't need a big bike - you just need to adjust your attitude. Why on earth would someone voluntarily spend years in the saddle of an under-powered, over-loaded little bike which steers like a washing machine on a good day. After 55,000 km over three years, find out the lessons learned and ignored about slow travel. Not satisfied with one lap, Jacqui embarked on a second lap - but with a twist.

2. Droning On

The ups and downs of using a drone on your travels. No doubt drones produce great quality pics and video, but is all the hype worth the effort of carrying a drone?

Jacqui likes a challenge, likes to make life hard for herself. She wore out one postie bike - then bought another one for Lap 2. She resists the temptation to upgrade to a more suitable bike.

George Foessel Where To Start? The adventure world raises questions. Overcome the fear and take a chance!

Travelling in Australia is very different to travelling in Europe and other foreign countries. Our landscape is different, we all speak one language, our water is mostly drinkable, the likelihood of theft and robbery is less, and we have great signage. How do we manage in countries where the people don't speak English? George tells how his accent helped him and how important it is for people to know where you come from.

George's passion for motorcycling started as a child, from riding a trail bike around the paddocks near home to becoming a Police Motor cyclist, and then Police Motorcycle instructor. He runs treks and training for Ducati, but also has a home (and adventure bike) in Germany and loves travelling in Europe. He's travelled through Holland, France, Switzerland, Italy and, of course, Germany. Next trip is Germany to Portugal to run some 3-day treks out of Lisbon.

Rachel Barley and Ken Carse Are We Really Going to Do It? Travelling Light & Where It Can Get You

1. Are We Really Going to Do It?

Sahara to the Arctic Circle... a look at making the decision to go and then what goes into preparation and planning for the big trip. It all starts with what is, in some ways, the easiest decision, but in many ways the hardest - actually committing to go! From then it is all about planning, preparation and hope. Through 16 countries (some more than once), multiple ferry trips, riding in weather from 30+ desert to 2 degrees with snow, staying in accomodations ranging from camping and staying with friends to BnB and 5-star hotels, and riding on everything from goat tracks to a track day at Gotland raceway all with only three pre-bookings before leaving. It takes a lot of planning and preparation for "impromptu" travel!

2. Travelling Light & Where It Can Get You

From the Sahara to the Arctic Circle: what to take, what not to take, how to stow it and how to secure it so you can walk away from the bike without worrying (too much). Travelling light takes on new meaning when travelling two-up on a long journey. What do you pack to travel through 16 countries over six months, riding in climates from 30+ desert to 2 degree with snow, camping and riding in remote country? And how do you fit it all on a bike? Rachel and Ken will share what they did and where they went over six months.

Rachel and Ken rode 24,000km in six months travelling from the Sahara in Morocco north to the Arctic Circle in Sweden and Norway, and then from the Isle of Man in the west over to Prague in the east, and seemingly everywhere in between. They are now planning a trip to Tasmania and their next European adventure.

Cordelia and Colin Masters Places Far Away How It Can All Go Wrong!

1. Places Far Away

Dee and Colin present a beginner's guide to long distance travel. Everything you need to consider before you commit yourself to long distance travel.

2. Turmoil in Turkey and the Balkans

How it can all go wrong! After you have done all of your planning and country research, nature (aided by the government) can make life a little interesting!

Dee and Colin are old-world travellers, having travelled most of the world '2-up', excluding the Americas. At 70-plus, they are still roaming the world 2-up on a BMW 1150R.

Helen Black and Anthony Holzwart The Highs and Highs of Peru In Search of a Temple in Nepal

1. The Highs and Highs of Peru

From the top of the Andes to the Amazon jungle. Armed with a couple of hired Honda XR250cc bikes, questionable navigational skills, and half a dozen of the wrong Spanish words, Anthony and Helen set off to explore Peru. On roads less travelled they find the true Peru... warm and welcoming villagers, breath-taking Andes crossings, retreating glaciers, sheer drops from gravel tracks and steaming Amazon jungles. Who'd have thought a gob full of coca leaves was an adventure must-have!

2. In Search of a Temple in Nepal

Renting classic Royal Enfield bikes, Anthony & Helen set off to reach a ancient temple high up in the Himalayas. From crazy Kathmandu traffic to the icy valleys winds of the semi arid Annapurna valley. With one good rider and one... well... not so experienced rider crossing boldered river beds, experiencing local village life and climbing steep rocky 'roads' / tracks, the question is, do they make it?

Anthony and Helen try to get away for overseas adventures when money and time allow, but with so many places to see, choosing one country is always hard!

Lee and Paul O'Connor, Bikes'n'Beers Across China from Laos to Kazakhstan What to Pack?! RTW by Motorcycle - In One Go!

Lee and Paul O'Connor rode their KTM SMT 990s around the world covering 80,000 kilometres across 40 countries over one year. They travelled through S.E. Asia into China, across Central Asia including Iran and Europe, across the Atlantic to Canada, U.S.A., Central and South America, returning to Australia across the Pacific. They camped in much of Europe and North America and stayed in back-road hotels where the costs were less. The temperatures ranged from -1°C to +45°C, from rain and sleet to sandstorms to blazing sun at altitudes from 155m below to 4900m above sea level. Prepare for three info-packed presentations! They are currently writing a book on their world adventure and planning the next ride to both islands of New Zealand. They hope their stories inspire other travellers to dream, plan and take the next step to the adventure of a lifetime.

1. Across China from Laos to Kazakhstan

Paul and Lee rode 8,000 km across China in 30 days as part of a continuous RTW motorcycle adventure. It was one of the highlights of their 13-month journey to travel through this vast country with the largest population, diverse cultures, excellent cuisine, extraordinary range of scenery, ancient and modern wonders. It was their preferred route for overland travel from SE Asia to the Middle East (having already travelled the Trans-Siberian railway many years prior). They travelled through five provinces from Yunnan, climbing up to 4300m onto the Tibetan Plateau at Litang, joining the Silk Route at Xi'an and westwards across the Gobi and Takla Mahan deserts in the Uighur province of Xinjiang, and even dropping to 155m below sea level at Flaming Mountain.

Highlights included the old towns of Dali and Shangri-La, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, riding past grazing yaks, visiting Buddhist monasteries, the pandas in Chengdu, climbing the precarious Mt. Hua Shan ranges and, of course, the Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an. They rode through a severe sandstorm and into the oasis at Turpan sampling local wines, the ancient Dunhuang caves/grottos and the western end of the Great Wall. They met a number of Chinese bikers and the roads varied from steep alpine dirt tracks to awesome sealed winding thrillers, to alpine sweeping highways, to 13-km-long tunnels and bridges. Although they avoided most of the populous regions, there was evidence of the modern industrial wonder - high-speed elevated and electrified railways miles from anywhere, millions of freshly-planted trees, thousands of wind-turbines in the windy desert and high-rise towns seemingly yet to be inhabited. Paul and Lee are addicted motorcycle travellers who love nothing more than carving up the mountain roads of Australia.

2. What to Pack?!

So how do you pack for such a journey and what do you wear? How do you keep in touch, manage your home business, plan ahead and navigate. How do you find cash when the cards don't work, locate fuel, tyres and spare parts? How do you weave your way for both riders and bikes across the bureaucratic borders of the Stahns, China, Iran and Central America? How can this be done safely, what medical covers are needed, vaccinations and health tips? How do you get all of this onto the bikes, how do you backup your documentation? What bikes should you ride, is it good to have the same models, how do you cross the oceans? These crazy, totally addicted motorcycle travellers will share their knowledge and experience with useful tips, packing strategies and a hands-on look at what they carried, what they didn't need and other lessons learned! They'll also advise you on how to stay married through to the end and then look forward to the next trip!

3. RTW by Motorcycle - In One Go!

Lee and Paul's goal was to complete the northern hemisphere without having to stay for winter or break the trip into two phases. Their strategy was to take their time in SE Asia, enter the Chinese mountains as early as possible (as the snow was melting), cross Central Asia, Middle East and Europe and have the snow and ice chase them down North to Central America to warmer times. They also needed to complete Patagonia and Southern South America before the winter set in. Their strategy was successful. Their progress was not so rushed and they have ideas on their next adventure. They have many highlights, experiences and stories to tell, pictures to show and advice to give.

Michael Ahlberg, Royal and Kickan L.A-Yukon-Polar Circle-NY-Key West

From Fairbanks AK to the rest of USA is a respectable 4,000 km and Alaska is the largest state. USA is very big to take in one trip, but we felt we got most of it. There were thousands of hours of research to get the most out of four months and 40,000 km trip. How much can you fit in? Occasional tourist attractions like Hertz Castle, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, sure, but the big emphasis was the choice of road. A road trip is all about the road experience, like what you find along the whole west coast, at Crater Lake, Highway to the Sun, Jasper, the coast of Lake Michigan, Mt. Washington, Nags Head to Cedar Island. Hear about the best and worst roads in USA; the park roads on the Appalachian mountain range or about riding up 14,100 feet to the top of Pikes Peak CO or the Bend National Park at the bottom of Texas to Rio Bravo at Mexico. These are just some extreme highlights we'd love to share with you.

Called "Royal" by all friends, Ann and I did 9,000 km round NZ 2008, round 22 countries in Europe 28,000 km, from Sicily to top of Norway, USA 39 states and 40,120 km in 2015 incl. CA-AK-NY-FL, and 140,000 km here in Oz. All this on the 20-year-old FLSTS-Springer-Harley called "Louise".

Jacqui Kennedy, Postie Notes Learn to Fly a Drone (Demo) With CASA approval

Self-explanatory! Bring on your high-altitude questions.

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 us here to volunteer.