UK 2006: Sixth Annual HU Travellers Meeting

Ripley, Derbyshire, England, June 22-25, 2006

It's all over - you missed it!

We have so many presentations we couldn't fit them all in - and you said you wanted more of the same, so here it is - another whole day and evening, so come early and make it a great weekend.

Why Come to a Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Meeting?

You can meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or Africa or across Asia, or even around the world! Admit it, all your 'normal' friends and most of your family fears for your sanity! So, this is your opportunity to meet the people who will encourage you in that craziness, share their experiences and advice on how to do it, and maybe you'll meet them again in Mongolia or Timbuktu!

Want to know what people thought of last years Meeting? Is it worth coming to the Meeting?

"I'm so looking forward to another UK meet. My only problem is that I simply can't get to every talk I want, such is the amount of terrific presentations on offer. Each year I've been astonished at how articulate, intelligent, informative and entertaining the speakers are. I'm willing to help with anything that doesn't keep me from a talk - and my timetable will be full to bursting!
Thanks Grant, Susan and all. I can't praise your Horizons highly enough." Denis Brown.

"Just a quick mail to thank you for a excellent weekend!!! What can I say, I drove home with a big smile on my face and a million ideas, where to go and how... " Matthew Mason. More comments here.

The Plan

Local hosts, information

Story of the first UK meeting.
Story of the second UK meeting.
Story of the third UK meeting.
Story of the fourth UK meeting.

What happened:

2006 speakers were:

• Paul Pratt, "Pan American Highway... to include 'Motorcycle Activities Worldwide"
• Andy Jones and Iain Wooley, "Round the Baltic states."
• Jeremy Bullard, around the world, KTM 'The Wrong Way Round' London to Cape Town - via New York. Some of the best disasters, places, biking roads and other tales from an accidental rtw trip.
• Chris Bright, "Morocco on a clapped out Transalp for 2 weeks over Christmas/New Year 05/06: TheBrightStuff encounters a Snowstorm, a Sandstorm, a Toasted Clutch and the Lisbon-Dakar 2006 Race. More Luck than Sense."
• Tiffany Coates, "The Caravana - four days of off-roading with the mad men of Ecuador"
• David Lomax returns with 2 new shows:
  • "Scandinavia, 3 weeks, 7000km, Lapland and back. Complete with my new KTM, a 5000km rally, a novice rider, some serious sarcasm, and plenty of vodka / cheese / reindeer sausage eating (that's the Finns for you...)."
  • "Want to Travel? Only got a few weeks holiday a year? So what! Come and find out how to make the most of whatever you've got (ooh err...!): 1 week in Ireland, 2 Weeks in Turkey, 3 Weeks in Guatemala, 4 Weeks in India, 5 Weeks in the USA, 6 Weeks in Africa, and more!"
• Chris Colling and Rory Elliott, "It be Reet" Two novice motorcyclists (1 passed his test 3 months before leaving) who had only met 6 times before starting their trip, attempt to ride from China to UK raising money for SOS Children’s Villages.
• and more... see the Schedule (check in on the day for the latest changes and updates!)
• how about you? :)

Tech Sessions, 30-60 minutes:

• Grant and Susan Johnson, "the basics - how to ride around the world - or just to the next country" 3 hour presentation.
• "How to get someone of the opposite sex to go travelling with you - panel and discussion!" Panel volunteers please!
• "Women only"
• Austin Vince, "Filming your trip and getting it on TV"
• Michael Shulver "Gilding the sow's ear: making the best of amateur DVD footage" A look at planning and preparation, shooting footage and editing a DVD of overland travel.
• Grant Johnson, "Photo Composition for Travellers - the one everyone SHOULD take, but no one does..."
• Ian Bradshaw, "Introduction to GPS. Not sure what it's all about? Learn the basics to eliminate confusion."
• Ian Bradshaw, "Detailed overview to help understand and get the most from GPS, covering the system from satellites through to receiver accessories and a hands on workshop"
• Sam Davidson returns for his popular, "Basic Guide to changing and maintaining tyres. There will be a practice wheel/tyre, AND a Contest! Come prepared to show everyone how fast you can do it - classes for beginners and experts, and ladies!"
• Paula Fidge, "...but I've only got two weeks! - FIM Rallies: a mini-adventure in your summer holiday or an introduction to touring."
• Tiffany Coates, "Your safety on the road. Good practice tips and advice as well as those all important physical techniques to ensure you are safe whilst travelling. Delivered by an experienced and qualified tutor with 12 years teaching who has crossed every continent by bike and without a bloke to do the bolshy bits."
• Sam Davidson "Basic Bike Preparation tech session."
• Michael Wadiman, "First Aid for travellers"
• Sam Manicom, "Getting published and all that's involved"
• "Getting your adventures published can be fun, and a new voyage of discovery. There are tips and tricks that will make the whole thing far easier, and there are a few warnings too. If you have a yen to share the fun you have had, then come and get involved."
• Simon McCarthy, "Cambodia – The Mini-Big Trip" You want to have a big biking adventure but you can’t afford the time and money! But for the same price of a fortnight skiing in the alps or a bike trip to Morocco, you could have 3 or 4 weeks riding around Cambodia – YES Cambodia - the land of ancient temples, the Mekong, wonderful food, smiley people and more dirt riding than you can shake a landmine at! Simon tells us how to organise the trip, when to go and what you’re likely to see.
• Leslie Madge, "Tents: why compromise? Motorcyclist, camper, hillwalker and former mountain rescue worker Les's experience is vast and this talk is one not to be missed."
• Mark Manley, "The essential guide on what to take and what to leave at home"
• Phil Hawksley, 'All you ever wanted to know about a BOXER'. BMW specialist and hugely experienced ' The Boxer Man' is taking a Q. and A. session on all topics relating to BMW and in particular the Airhead BMW's - covering renovation, problems, servicing, spare parts.
• Steve Mercer, 'Taxing Questions', UK accountant, Steve is back again giving answers to any questions you have - can I rent my house out? Can my business buy my bike? Can I sell my house and not pay capital gains tax? How can I claim my tax back before going on my big trip?
• 'Phil Chaffey and Danny Taylor's Roadkill Cookout.' Watch and learn - how to make a firepit, skin a rabbit, pluck a pheasant, fillet a trout, cook it and eat it!

Travel Equipment Vendors

Touratech UK
Ernie - Overland Solutions, custom fitting and equipment
Traveldri-Plus, motorcycle clothing specialists
Core Racing Imports, off-road equipment specialists
Metal Mule, overland luggage systems
Ultraseal, Tire sealant - get your tires sealed at the Meeting.
Sam Manicom, with his book "Into Africa"
Paul Pratt, one of the original overlanders with signed copies of his best selling, 'World Understanding on two wheels'
Chris Scott will be in attendance with his wide range of signed travel books and DVD's
Austin Vince will have some of his DVD's for sale as well as signed copies of his new book 'Mondo Enduro'
Simon McCarthy will be selling his new book "Sorebums Rattling Around Asia" by Simon McCarthy and Georgie Simmonds.
RPM Motorcycles- Sam Davidson local shop - call if you'd like anything brought to the meeting, like Sams tyre irons!

Dion't forget to say thanks for their support of your event!