Horizons Unlimited 2005

[iswoolley]

Just back from the Horizons Unlimited (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/UK2005.php) Travellers Meeting, being held near Ripley this weekend. Of course having it on the same weekend as both Wimbledon and Glastonbury was a recepie for crap weather, but as you can see it wasn't that bad! Officially 390 people turned up for the weekend, so the campsite was a tad crowded.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=629
One of the campsites

All sorts of bikes turned up; many many many BMW GSs, Africa Twins, Honda XRs, KTM Adventures, Yamaha XTs, and the occaisional odd-ball on a Harley or a GoldWing trike!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=630
BMW outfit (why not buy a car?!)

There were presentations from people who had ridden; off-road across the States, to Timbuktoo, through South America on a Serrow, RTW with the wife, across Mongolia on a KTM, and 112 uses for an army surplus poncho! There were also technical presentations on; bike preparation, how to use a GPS, tyre changing, first aid, and tax refunds!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=631
Some people choose to manhandle 300kg of airhead BMW around the world!

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=632
The winner of the tyre changing competition (not this bloke) managed to get a tyre off and back on a rim in 45 seconds!

On Saturday there were a number of organised ride-outs, with a leader taking a small number of folk out both on- and off-road. Some of the xrv.org.uk crew went for a 140 mile whistle stop tour of the Peak District. For once big trailies outnumbered sports bikes at Matlock Bath.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=633
TKC80s get the thumbs up!

By Sunday the weather had changed for the better, and people began to drift off back to their respective corners of the country and continent. I saw number plates from New Zealand, Portugal, France, Germany, and more.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=634
The 'bungee it all on the back and be proud of it' approach to luggage

A damn good weekend, and a chance to meet a bunch of virtual characters in real life. Be there next year! :D

[Maverick]

Not much of a ride report writer so here goes short and sweet
A very good atmosphere prevailed all weekend with loads of bikes, travel stories and of course the odd beer was consumed. Very nice to meet all the XRV guys and gals and hope to see you lot soon again.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_03.jpg

All sorts of tents and even two tp's about.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_04.jpg

Might be wrong but somehow felt Honda was the most popular bike at the meeting, Transalps..

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_05.jpg

Dominators....

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_06.jpg

Even some 600R's.....

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_07.jpg


And of course last but not least a **** load of Africa Twins!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_08.jpg

Mine was easily spotted as I am sure this is the only one in the world with a screen in this horrible colour. When I orderd the screen last year was told it is "slightly" tinted.....ermmm ok very well then old chap! A bit worrying everyone walking up to me and ask "Maverick?" Me looking around and thinking did I piss someone off lately "who wants to know dude?" Ohh no we just saw the bike with the screen and it must be Maverick's.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_09.jpg

One of my all time favourite bikes the Yamaha Tenere

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_10.jpg

Even though I have a black AT always liked the Red/White/Blue colour scheme more.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_12.jpg

Yamaha XT's seem to pick up popularity again....

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_13.jpg

XRV Jim and Kiwi Pete at Jim's RWB AT.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_14.jpg

Another Tenere from Scotland

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_15.jpg

And loaded tenere ready to roll, the blue ain't that bad a colour either...

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_16.jpg

Gibbo's AT and he's trying to sell it before returning to New Zealand

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_17.jpg

Yet another AT on his way home this morning after a fun filled weekend.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_18.jpg

Don't know how this dude ended up in the hedge but he was trying to kickstart that bike for a while to get it out.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_19.jpg

Has mad cow disease finally struck the BMW GS then?

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_20.jpg

Ernie from Overland Solutions's 1100GS is something to drool over for sure!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_23.jpg

Bing Carb setup instead of the fuel injection and just look at those crashbars!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_21.jpg

Now that's what I call decent pannier frames.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_22.jpg

Ernie does some awesome custom overlanding mods to any bike and vechicles on demand, this KLR also had the full house done.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_24.jpg

650 with Overland Solution pannier setup...

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_25.jpg

This gs outfit is going around the world starting in Florida later the year.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_26.jpg

Another yammie that has seen some grubby roads

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_27.jpg

1100 GS held together by ductape?

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_28.jpg

Terry's airhead that has covered over 130k miles, it's going to be rebuilt from scratch before he goes off for another 5 years.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_29.jpg

And who said the LC4 is not good enough for some smelly so socks...

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_30.jpg

Saw a few South-African's bikes but strangely enough only met one South-African guy??

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_31.jpg

Side view of the yammie

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_32.jpg

Additional alu fuel cells for this baby!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_33.jpg

Classic looking airhead, they just keep my blood pumping!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_34.jpg

My AT looking pretty lazy under the jacket and not in the mood returning home today.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_35.jpg

But we had to get home and after packing all my **** had to hit the road!

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_36.jpg

After a few beers last night, nature called in the early hours of the morning and somehow through the haze of reality and my sleeping bag spinning around in the tent managed to take a photo of the bike with the moon in the background.....

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/horizons/hu_01.jpg

Well I think it was the moon :roll:

[DaveS]

Awesome pics well done guys.
Any more pics anyone took that they can add always good to look at them.

[Chris J Barrett]

Crackin weekend, just the ticket that was. Nice piccys chaps. Leave my bungys alone, I like um & I'm stickin with um! Hope everyones home safe. 8)

[xrv_jim]

Boy, you guys are quick! I've not even unpacked yet!

It was great to meet the xrv.org.uk folk though I managed to miss many of you - next year eh!

I'll post some pic's soon but Iain's and Maverick's are probably better than mine!

[gibbo]

Nice pics. A couple of more Hondas to add...

Chris Brights Transalp / Africa Twin hybrid project (in progress I believe)

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=636

Karim Hussains XR650R rally bike. This is something like I would like to set up back in NZ

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=635

[kiroh]

Good to see you all there guys. I had the most fantastic weekend drinking beer, talking about bikes and discussing future travel plans.

Thanks Chris for taking us riding on the most spectacular roads in England. Traffic free and enjoyable roads a rare down here.

Hope to see most of you at the Isle of Skye.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[kiroh]

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=631
Some people choose to manhandle 300kg of airhead BMW around the world!

Isn't this Ted Simons bike he went around the world on few years ago? I think he ditched the aluminium paniers in Australia for a set of soft waterproof bags.

[fewtrees]

It is.. and I managed to get to speak to the man himself on 2 occassions, plus he signed a book for me!

[modrover]

WOW! So many sweet bikes in one place at one time! Wonderful! :wink:

[Chris J Barrett]

No problem Kiroh. There are plenty more places to explore up here. I'll look at my calander & maybe arrange another camp & have a ride around Derbyshire,North yorks. etc.? :D

[Chris J Barrett]

P.S I hope I can man handle 300kg. of bike around when i'm 72 years old!!! :D

[Blues N Twos]

Great pics guys and a nice diary of events.

It looks like a great weekend and I will try to attend next year.

Jon :D

[kiroh]

Spotted last weekend at HU meet

http://www.xrv.org.uk/getimage.php?id=648

Who's daft decision was it to stop making these beautiful bikes? :evil:

[Chris J Barrett]

The good old XLV shaftie. Aka. the dog knackers! You are quite right Kiroh, if they started making these again I would be right at the front of the Q! :D

[xrv_jim]

if they started making these again I would be right at the front of the Q! :D

Me too - in fact if I could find an old one at a decent price I'd have it. What's the weight of one of those things? It must be less than an XRV even with the shaft drive.

[Northy]

I think one the reason they stopped making them was the rear cylinder overhead far to readily/cooked it self . Hence the funny scoops below the tank.

If they up dated it and sorted the cooling out ... yeap i'll be in the same que

Northy

PS Would the rear end of Deauville ( shaft drive and swing arm/wheel? ) fit on the back of @ ? Suppose its depends on the engine casing and shaft drive connection to the engine.Just a thought.

[Chris J Barrett]

It would be a nice mod. but I bet it would be a tricky one. Need more than my tool kit!

[gibbo]

It would be a nice mod. but I bet it would be a tricky one. Need more than my tool kit!

Your great big boot?
Just smash it into place!

[Chris J Barrett]

Reckon it might need a special tool for this job. eg. 14lbs. sledge hammer & the GREAT BIG BOOT!!! :lol:

[gibbo]

Im bored.
Shall we go on to hijack all the threads with this hammer & big boot chatter?

[Chris J Barrett]

We'll end up gettin ex-communicated. Just been contacted by Haynes, they want me to rewrite all their manuals! :lol: :lol:

[Maverick]

I don't really know what to do, should I buy the more "refined" RWB hammer or get a sleek and fast black one :D

[Chris J Barrett]

Touratech actually do a new limited edition hammer for BMW riders
It has bolt on extras & even comes with its own clever little fat ******* who's seen it, done it & been there, to hit with it!!! :lol:

[Dilbert]

No problem Kiroh. There are plenty more places to explore up here. I'll look at my calander & maybe arrange another camp & have a ride around Derbyshire,North yorks. etc.? :D
oooh, yes Chesterfields like round the corner sort of, drop me a line if you get something organised, just don't tell the missus (mines got no rear pegs on)

[jcrpda]

Some great pictures, you took a lot more than me! Thats my red transalp in one of your pictures 8)

[Maverick]

Some great pictures, you took a lot more than me! Thats my red transalp in one of your pictures 8)

No problem mate, that will be £5 please :lol:

[PyroGyro]

Just in the process of getting my first XRV ... will look forward to a meet in Derbyshire/Yorkshire area (I'm a stone's throw from Matlock Bath) ..

PyroGyro

[LaughingBob]

I'll be up your way next weekend though, sadly not on the bike. Staying in Hope to walk part of Pennine Way as far as Kinder Scout from Edale. Great part of the world though, a tad cold at this time of year! Met the wife while doing this stretch 12 years ago in a complete 'White Out'. LB.