THE PREMIER OVERLAND ADVENTURE TRAVEL EVENT
FOR MOTORCYCLISTS & TRAVELLERS ON 2, 3 OR 4 WHEELS!
2nd Horizons Unlimited Newfoundland Travellers Meeting
"The Great Eastern Adventure!"
Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp, Newfoundland and Labrador
Sorry, this event is POSTPONED TO 2024
Details to come.
We will fully refund any payments, or move your payment to next years event, or to another event, your choice.
In the meantime, plan for 2024!
Check out this wonderful video if you're wondering "Why Newfoundland?"
It's All About Overland Adventure
Whether you're a seasoned veteran with wisdom to share or a complete novice hungry for ideas and guidance, it doesn't matter if you ride a motorcycle, a bicycle, or drive an expedition vehicle...Horizons Unlimited meetings are for everyone who dreams of adventure along the road less travelled.
Inspiring, Informing & Connecting
Some people value Horizons Unlimited events for what they learn from the unique line-up of presenters. Some people value the chance to discover new products and services at the trade stands. Some people value just kicking back with a beer among old friends and new.
Most people enjoy a little bit of everything, and everyone goes home fired-up for adventure with a smile on their face.
The event will include a packed schedule of presentations and activities. All within the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that Horizons Unlimited is known for.
Horizons Unlimited Newfoundland Event Schedule
The event is taking place from Tuesday August 1 to Friday August 4, 2023. The Registration Desk will open for check-ins at 1 pm on Tuesday, Aug 1 with the first presentations / workshops beginning at 2 pm.
Over the course of the event there'll be talks, demonstrations, workshops, Q&A's, challenges and competitions, with some presentations being repeated so you won't miss out.
As well as hearing inspiring stories of overlanding adventure from around the world, you'll get the low-down on preparing for your journey, navigation, first-aid, photography, filming and a host of other essential topics. Whatever your past experience or future plans may be, there's something for everyone.
All presentations dependendent on Volunteers stepping up!
The event schedule will be available for download here approximately 1 week before the event.
PLEASE NOTE: The schedule is subject to change at any time - all the presenters are volunteers and travelling, thus they may be delayed or unable to get there. Some may have anxiety attacks and be unable to perform! ;-) And sometimes travellers show up unexpectedly with great pics and stories, so we try to fit them in! Details of changes to presentation times or other matters of note will be posted at Registration and other locations.
Presenters at HU Newfoundland 2023 so far...
 | Bill Hooykaas50+ RTW Years with the Riding Dutchman |
Long-time HU presenter Bill bought his first bike in 1969, and since then has stuck with BMW adventure riding nearly his entire riding life, other than combining his professional life with his passion for a number of years travelling Canada with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Golden Helmets Precision Team on Harley Davidsons.
He has ridden from the Arctic to Antarctic, and from Alaska round the world to China and back, including many side-trips in-between. He now has over two million kilometres of seat time and invites you to come see his half-century adventure. Bring your questions on how to equip your bike, yourself, and most of all, preparing physically for the long road ahead.
The Road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, and I must follow, if I can. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
BILL HOOYKAAS is a life-long BMW rider, former BMW MOA Director, and one of the original GS Giants. He has ridden through more than 50 countries over the past 54 years, yet never published a book or charity-washed his adventures for fund-raising, only occasionally sharing his stories at Horizons Unlimited events and BMW rallies.
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.
We welcome, as always at HU Events, expressions of interest from everyone who would generously care to share with us any of their adventures and knowledge. Such may be grand or modest, long or short - there's always something to learn from everyone, which is why we do this.
Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans have long been known as a resourceful people. Ya kinda gotta be, perched on a Rock out here at the edge of the North Atlantic for 500 years, where not much comes easy except the laid-back lifestyle. As such, we really appreciate practical people with practical approaches to tackling puzzles whether trivial or tangly.
Without limiting our discussion topics in the slightest degree, we particularly encourage presentations and stories - even the briefest tales - of enlightening, unconventional, creative or minimalist approaches to resolving head-scratchers whether large or little. You might encourage others by showing how easy it really can be to get out there and enjoy an adventure which perhaps turned out to be less daunting than first imagined. Without constraint, encompass notions on planning - or not planning, logistics, mechanicals & spares, medical, packing, technology, accommodations, entertainment, gear, clothing, crossing borders with officious officials ... pretty much anything impacting how you get your travelling done!
Please contact us here to volunteer.
Presenters at previous HU Newfoundland meetings included...
 | Amy & Kevin Edwards, A to BlogElectric Motorcycle Travel |
They say you can't go adventure riding on an electric motorcycle. How far can it go? What if it gets wet? Is it even fun to ride? The ranks of electric motorcycle travelers are small but growing, with a handful of epic electric overlanding trips already on the books. We'll discuss journeys across Africa and South America, and our pioneering ride coast to coast across the entire Trans America Trail with a Zero DSR in 2021.
This presentation looks at some of the electric motorcycles available now, the current advantages and disadvantages compared to gas bikes, the practicalities of charging and route planning, and discusses some lessons learned. Despite our enduring love of gas bikes, it turns out that traveling on an electric motorcycle has a charm all of its own.
AMY and KEVIN EDWARDS are based in North Carolina, and have traveled North America together on motorcycles for 20 years. Lately, their riding has skewed more off-pavement, following routes such as BDRs and the TAT, with sights set on future international adventures.
 | Simon ChegwynThe Plan Is There Is No Plan / |
1. The Plan Is There Is No Plan
Skip around the globe peppered with adventures, weather mishaps, and more
Rode overland from the UK to India and surrounding areas. Toured the USA on a single-seat GL500 (there were two of us) while dodging hurricanes. Cycle toured in Japan and was evacuated from the southern islands (more hurricanes). Cycle toured in New Zealand (happily, no hurricanes).
Hhmm, where shall we skip to next?
Europe. North Africa. South Africa. A UK-registered Honda 250 carried Simon from San Diego to Alaska, across beautiful Canada, to the bottom of the Florida Keys, and looping back to San Diego. Now the proud owner of a Canada-registered DR650 (believe it or not, there's a story about THAT), Simon has usurped his original "plan" of attempting the Trans-America Trail because HU Newfoundland proved too enticing. After the event, he's heading to South America and doing the TAT on the return journey.
At least, that's the "plan"...
2. Overland to India
Prepare to hear an enthusiastic barrage of stories of India
Several years ago, an ex-UK-police motorcyclist was attempting to avoid maturity and satisfy his itchy-feet, wanderlust ways. Today, the story is still very much the same.
"Currently typing this from a super hot New Delhi after completing a Spiti Valley tour for four first time visitors to India. India is like my second home and I have been lucky to live work and travel here off and on for years."
With each trip, Simon's continues to support Asha India which he's been involved with for over 20 years and counting.
SIMON CHEGWYN is currently riding in India, but returning to Canada late July before hopefully riding to South America. Nomadic motorcycle travel-obsessed individual with a few years of experience (?) and, as yet, no known cure for his "itchy feet" syndrome. He's never been to Newfoundland before, but this Horizons Unlimited event is guiding his way there!
 | Jeff Luttmer, Some Day May Never Be30,000 km Through Oz |
Find out the best times of year to ride and camp in different locations, what you need to know on how to buy a motorcycle, strange or odd things that are common while riding in OZ, and... if it moves it most likely can kill you. While staying with friends in Sydney, Australia, I bought a V-Strom 650 and then made my way solo around and through the great land of OZ.
For the next four months, I mostly camped and rode desolate outback roads where I had some crazy adventures along the way. I attended and presented at HU Snowy Mountains in Jindabyne, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, got my soft panniers knifed open by thieves, drove in 51C heat, and met some of the most fantastic people ever. I have done many trips all around the world in my lifetime, including riding from Inuvik to Tierra del Fuego.
JEFF LUTTMER has lived and traveled throughout the USA, Europe, and now Canada. While living in Canada, his biggest trip was going from Inuvik to Tierra del Fuego back in 2013, and in 2017 riding the outback of Australia and New Zealand.
 | Krista Austin & Mark HaywardWelcome to the Rock |
Newfoundland is the sixteenth largest island in the world, slightly larger than Cuba. With a population of less than half a million and the majority of residents concentrated in one little corner of the island, it's easy to find the "road less traveled" and disengage from the relentless hustle of modern life.
The roads of Newfoundland range from the twisty mountain passes of the West Coast, to the birch-lined gravel paths cutting through the interior, to the flat slab transversing the barren caribou country of the southern Avalon. The landscape is ever changing, and starkly beautiful vistas present themselves around each turn.
"Iceberg hunting" is a great season for a ride.
The irregular shape of the island means that there is over 29,000km of rugged coastline. For centuries, mariners relied on lighthouses to guide them through darkness and "pea soup" fog. These lighthouses are often located at the end of a gravel road, and situated at the most picturesque point of a region. To photograph all of the several hundred lighthouses of Newfoundland, you will need to make more than one visit!
Lighthouse at Cape Pine at the extreme southeasterly tip of Newfoundland.
The more adventurous traveler will want to test their off-roading skills on the many trails the island has to offer. Rural Newfoundlanders love their ATV's, and in almost every community, after the pavement ends an ATV trail continues towards "cabin country".
Cabin country on the Burin Peninsula.
The Newfoundland T'Railway is an adventure in itself. 883 km (552 miles) of gravel trail stretching from Port Aux Basques to St. John's; it's the route the railway followed from 1898 to 1988. Although this trail is maintained to some degree, it is not for the faint of heart. Trail conditions range from golf-ball-size rocks to loose sand, and areas of the trail can become flooded after heavy rain. In addition to the main T'Railway, there are several "branch lines", the condition of which depends on when that section of the railway was decommissioned.
Take a break from the beaten path! The only thing holding you back in your attitude.
A section of the Placentia Branch Line, decommissioned in 1984.
KRISTA AUSTIN and MARK HAYWARD are local adventure riders in Newfoundland. She's an active contributor in the HU Newfoundland Facebook Group, so join the group and enjoy warmhearted conversations over the cold winter months ahead. He's been riding motorcycles for 40 years and has expored about 90% of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as a motorcycle camper.
 | Tammy PerryHoliday in Cambodia |
It's all about connection. That's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think about motorcycling. In fact, as an introvert, I think of solitude and soaking up the scenery on my own time and schedule. A funny thing happened though when four strangers from three countries hooked up in Cambodia on a mission to deliver laptops to a remote village in the Cardomom mountains. Four strangers, four Hondas, four weeks. What could possibly happen? [Note: this presentation includes video.]
TAMMY PERRY's father taught her to ride a street bike as a teen - they planned to ride across the country someday. Someday never came as the cancer got him just after his 50th birthday. Tammy got away from motorcycling while the kids were young, and went back to it on a dual sport in time to make it from St. John's to Vancouver before her 50th birthday. Well, then it was impossible to stop and since then she's been to almost every U.S. state, from St. John's to Guatemala and all over Mexico, Cambodia and, of course, lots of roads all over Canada.
 | Melanie and Greg Turp, 2WANDRRsFresh African Tracks / |
1. Fresh African Tracks
Huff...HUFF!
"What was that?", we whispered to each other from the safety of our small tent. Earlier we had had elephants within meters of our camp. We also knew the sound we were hearing were lions. Come hear about what happened next, and more from our recent (freshest) travels through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia.
2. Yes, You Can!
When family and work commitments are an obstacle, change your ideas of a RTW ride. How we managed to do it and go.
When life gets in the way of a big trip commitment, change your ideas. How we managed to change our lives, sell everything and be on the road, full time, nine years ago. We quit working early, still handle family commitments and travel. We have now traveled in 62 countries have have no plans of changing our lifestyle.
MELANIE and GREG TURP sold everything nine years ago and started traveling. Their preferred mode of travel is by motorcycle. Even with family commitments, they decided to try and do it all, family and RTW travel. They now have been in 62 countries with no plans to change anything.
Workshops and Educational Sessions
...because Horizons Unlimited meetings are about information, not just inspiration!
 | James GowVideotaping Your Adventures / |
1. Videotaping Your Adventures
A basic guide to action cameras and how to use them
A non-brand specific (although many will be mentioned) talk on specifications, limitations, and what to look for in a camera or cameras. Mounting options, external microphones, battery charging options, stand-alone sound recording devices, video storage, and drones เน€“ a nuts and bolts approach to the basic gear you need (including phones) and the endless equipment pit you might fall into. There is no "best" gear and you don't need thousands of dollars worth of equipment to get started.
2. Video Production 101
How do you make your videos more appealing?
Advice on how to shoot and how to edit. What you should do on the road and what might you do in post production. How do you make it interesting? Are you shooting for youเน€เธ or are you shooting to share on YouTube? Just how much time goes into making good videos? A brief rundown on video editing software and why you should use it. Don't be discouraged, no one is a pro overnight, keep creating and getting better all the time.
JAMES GOW is a former theatre technician/designer and educator who has been riding motorcycles and camping for 50 years. For the past four years, he has been publishing his road adventure videos on his YouTube channel, Old Guy on a Bike. He is currently planning a North American "four corners" trip for 2023.
Online registration is now closed,
but we have plenty of room,
so come and join in!
Newfoundland Rideouts
Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp is located on the banks of the mighty Exploits River, the largest river on the island and a Mecca for sport fishers. It is almost perfectly centred in the middle of the island with riding opportunities in every direction, whether you want to stick to the asphalt or hit the gravel.
Wild camping on the Burin Peninsula
Though Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp is in Central Newfoundland, you don't have to travel far to find the tiny outport communities and stunning coastal views that Newfoundland is famous for. A multitude of day rides to interesting places are accessible from this location.
The town of Belloram on the Connaigre Peninsula
Even if you attended Horizons Unlimited 2022, the location of the meeting in 2023 will definitely lead you down different paths!
Check out all the routes here!
Questions about route planning, accommodations, or anything related to your trip to Newfoundland? Post on the HUBB or get social with us on Facebook and we'll do our best to help you out!