HU Travellers Meeting North Carolina 2013

Jeffrey Polnaja, Indonesia Ride for Peace - Ride Til the Edge of the World

Ride For Peace is a continuous motorcycle riding Around the World. Solo ride, no crews, no supporting team. The journey is divided in two legs. The First Leg has been accomplished: start from Jakarta, Indonesia on April 2006, end up in London, UK... Explored Asia including conflict countries - Afghanistan etc, North Africa and Europe.

Jeffrey Polnaja in Kabul, Afghanistan

Now he is running the Second Leg, riding from Paris, France back to Jakarta thru' Trans Siberia, Alaska, venturing North America, Central America, South America, Australia and back to Indonesia in 2015. Right now, Jeffrey Polnaja is in the USA, the 78th country that he has visited...

Peter Bodtke, Clockwise around South America The Roads Less Traveled: My Latin America Sampler

Determined to see as much of South America as possible Peter Bodtke rode through countries and down roads not commonly taken by motorcyclist from the U.S., riding through Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Visiting every country except Paraguay, Bodtke visited 21 countries in total, including Jamaica and Cuba, in only 9 months. The time flew by and a schedule sadly pushed me forward, so I call the trip a sampler, instead of an extensive immersion. This presentation will be the travelog, widest selection of stories and photos.

Oyapock River from Saint-Georges, French Guiana to Oiapoque, Brazil.

Yungas Road (the Death Road) Bolivia

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! Heaps of great pics!

"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

Mike Williams (ratbikemike) 7 months and 10,000 miles on the cheap

Wandering through Mexico and Central America solo. I went 7 months and 10,000 miles with no spanish, no gps, never used wifi before, nill computer experience, never owned a camera before little money, etc

One of the top ten motorcycle journies in the world. We were, we believe, the last overlanders to cross Zaire, as it collapsed into many, many years of civil war. It took us thirty one days of toil, improvization and enormous uncertainty to travel 1,200 miles from Republic of Central Africa to Rwanda.

Crossing the Ubangi river from war torn Republic Central Afrique to Zaire. Two dug out canoes are lashed together.

Doug Wothke, RTW Doug Alabama Motorcycling Legend

I've done a few RTW trips on several bikes I built, as well as the cannonball across the USA on a 28 Indian. After the HU meet, I will head west, doing the Trans America trail on a Harley.

Lenn Rainwater Riding the Alps on your own!

Lenn Rainwater has ridden over 100,000 miles around the US and Europe. She enjoys planning rides and exploring on a bike. She has learned from others and likes to share her knowledge in return.

Lenn will be presenting two topics:

Riding the Alps on your own

Learn how to plan and prepare including renting a bike, when and where to go. Lenn rode the Alps twice in the last two years. She will discuss what to pack, things to consider in advance such as credit card notification, phone options, getting cash, trip insurance, accident insurance, ways to save money, what type of electronics to take, how to pack, and advantages/disadvantage to guided tours.

Accident Scene Management

Whether you are riding alone or in a group and you find yourself in a situation where a rider has gone down, ask yourself honestly, do you know what to do? I would like to share some tips on how to avoid being a part of an accident and what to do should you happen upon one.

Peter Bodtke, Clockwise around South America 9 months on the road, what works...

Some things work out well, some break down, others never get used...until you need them. On this second international trip I reduced the load, but things still sneaked into my luggage. Some items were invaluable, others were a waste of space. Stories of the few mechanical breakdowns and how they were dealt with. Making adjustments over the course of the trip to my kit and how I reduced the volume of stuff. Will talk about the value of maps and GPS, spare parts, paperwork, healthcare, clothes, rain gear, camping gear and losing many, many, water bottles...

George Parker Your Bike, Your Dreams, My Travels...

Alaska / Points Between: Slides, Stories, How To Discussion for Novice Travelers

George has been long distance riding since 1970; his longest trip: VA. to Artic Circle via west and northwest, 13,082 miles.

"I will use slides and stories of some of my trips over the last 40 years to discuss prep and travel in North America and how the novice traveler can accomplish their dream trip. Many riders are hesitant to take a long trip because they lack confidence and/or feel they don't have the gear or bike for distance travel. Emphasis will be on the trip, how to use existing bike and gear, and how to gain confidence to ride anywhere. Discussion will center on how to plan, execute, and accomplish the trip from the novice distance traveler's perspective. Points of discussion will also include: expenses, route planning, camping vs. lodging, repairs, journals, and importantly for the novice, 'distance is relative'."

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.

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.

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!

Grant Johnson, Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Ergonomics!

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.