2013, Thailand Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meeting, Chiang Mai, January 11-12, 2013

[RidersCorner]

This around-the-world motorcyclists meeting will take place in Chiang Mai at Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant http://www.riderscorner.net/, it's always a great evening, stop by if you're in the area

Registration form in the link below:

Thailand 2013 7th Annual HU Travellers Meeting | Horizons Unlimited

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!

The Plan

Reservations Required

Registration form

Rally Location - Where is it?

Other Accommodation

Information about the area

Local hosts, informationShort History of HU MeetingsHow you can help - put up a few posters! Please post it everywhere!

The Plan

Friday, January 11 – "Welcome Travellers Reception"From 18:00-19:00 a "Welcome Horizons Unlimited Travellers" reception will be hosted by the Golden Triangle Rider Band. Free beer and mixed Jameson whiskey drinks for all attendees for one hour, then attendees are on their own for the rest of the evening. All meals ordered are at 15% off. This is an open mixer for any serious motorcyclist or Horizons Unlimited travellers that happen to be in Chiang Mai for the Mini-Meeting January 11-12 or just wanting to drop in and meet other like minded motorcyclists.Saturday, January 12 – Group Photo and HU Mini Meeting BBQAt 14:00 there will be a group photo in front of the Riders Corner Bar and Restaurant.The general plan for the Mini-Meeting is simple. Show up at 18:00, have a drink, tell some lies, and enjoy one of the best known BBQ buffets in Chiang Mai (reservations for the BBQ are required! Call 0870481787 or email:

[email protected] to reserve your meal) After the BBQ there will be a slide show or two and lots of conversation and trading of travel tips specific to the Golden Triangle and Asia, or around the world!

2013 Speakers:

As always there will be a number of presentaotns, we'll add them as we know who's arriving in this corner of the world!

• Questions and Answers – Travel around SE Asia or ‘round the world
  

How about you?

We're all here to learn, and there's LOTS to learn! We want to do more presentations and clinics - 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 me

here

to volunteer.

Previous speakers and presentations were:

• Chris Banks, who shared his near-drowning experience in Morocco with the group. Banks and his fellow travellers lashed their motorcycles to trees when caught in a flash flood. His presentation was one of near death and survival.
  
• Greg Frazier, a terrific multimedia "Sun Chasing – Four Times Around The World By Motorcycle, Four solo rides around the world, some hard, some soft - none boring."
  
• "How My GPS Lost Me In Southeast Asia"
  
• "No Strangers To Danger – Survival Riding In Third World Countries"
  
• "Think You Are Tough?"
  
  • Riding A Motorcycle To Alaska
    
  • ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE magazine's 2006 "Adventure Motorcycle Ride"
    
  • The 2006 Famed "Colorado 500" Dirt Bike Ride
    

  [*]how about you?? Let us know if you have something to show! Volunteers wanted for these and any other subjects you'd like to talk about! It's easy and fun, and we'll help you out.

All times - and everything - approximate!

Download the Word version for printing here

.

Friday, January 11

6:00 – 7:00 PM: “Welcome Reception,” sponsored by THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE RIDER BAND

7:00 – 9:00 PM: Introduction of all attendees, “Pass the Microphone,” and mixed multimedia presentations, chill and swill until?

Saturday, January 12

2:00 – 2:30 PM: Horizons Unlimited Group Photo at Rider’s Corner

http://www.riderscorner.net/

6:00 – 7:30 PM: BBQ Meal, 200 THB (make reservations at 0870481787, 0856188914 or

[email protected]

7:30 – 7:45 Introductions of all attendees, “Pass the Microphone.”

9:00 - ???? Questions and Answers – Travel around SE Asia or ‘round the world

Reservations and Registration

HU Event

, all shows and entertainment, (less Banquet): by donation to the organisers

Order the following a la carte when you check-in:

15% off all drinks!

A report from the 2012 meeting in Chiang Mai below:

Thailand 2012 6th Annual HU Travellers Meeting, January 13-14, 2012

Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meetings

January 13-14, 2012

Short History of HU Meetings

Thailand Meeting Report January 13-14, 2012

By M. Lloyd

Horizons Unlimited was where many motorbiking adventurers in Southeast Asia were found as they gathered for the sixth time in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

74 motorcycle global wanderers and serious adventurists met at the largest motorcycle traveller’s meeting held in Southeast Asia! As the Horizons Unlimited meetings have grown over the years they have become a destination point for travellers vectoring through Southeast Asia during the winter months. This year the event was held at the Rider’s Corner Restaurant and Inn located on the corner of the ancient moat in Chiang Mai.

Some of the attendees swilling and chilling during the Welcome Reception

There was a “Welcome” reception offered on Friday night by the famed Golden Triangle Rider Band for all travelers wanting to “meet and greet” before the Saturday shows and barbeque. After an hour of complementary beer and Jameson whiskey mixes, the crowd of over 60 was entertained with soothing background music of the Golden Triangle Rider Band which included musical poetry and ballads like

Motorcycle bludger on early retirement

(Tuba solo

); Me, a Golden Triangle washed-up old drunk

(100 Pipers flutist);

We’re the real “Golden Triangle Ryder Sycophants”

(All holding members); and

With my Thorazine and Keamine I’M UNDER CONTROL

(Rubber band man). The playlist included 12 new titles from their soon to be released CD.

One multimedia presentation was offered by members of the Shan State of Burma (62,500 square miles) outlining their struggle for recognition, democracy and recent accomplishments. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Restoration Council of Shan State, told their incredible story including the relations their government has had since 1947.

Robert Hiekel had ridden his motorcycle from China to Pattaya, then tagged a part of Burma (Myanmar) on his way up to the HU Meeting, completing “The Umpung Tung Yai Naresuan Jungle Track” as described on RideAsia.Net

The Friday night presentations also included motorcycle travel multimedia presentations by Jim Barbush about motorcycle adventures and travels in Laos and Taiwan. Barbush and his company Remote Asia (

www.RemoteAsia.com

) availed their extensive experience on motorcycle travel, rentals and security to the audience and served as the resident expert on Asia travel throughout the two days.

Some of non-camera shy attendees were found having fun prior to the evening meetings.

Saturday found many travelers gathering for a group photo in the afternoon while others explored the area surrounding Chiang Mai, both on and off-road.

A sidecar had come overland from Germany and was working its way around the world.

Saturday evening began with an All-You-Can-Eat barbeque by the staff of the Rider’s Corner Restaurant, known as the best barbeque in Chiang Mai. Following the meal were introductions cajoled by Jeff Pike of all the attendees telling where they were from, going and what types of motorcycles they were using. It was a wildly mixed audience with several travellers circling around the world while others were beginning their motorcycle adventures in Thailand.

Three multimedia shows followed the barbeque. They were

: Motorcycling in Burma (Myanmar)

by Dr. Gregory Frazier and Kerstin Hassmann,

Around the World by Motorcycle

by Geoff Thomas and

Iceland by Motorcycle

by Sherrie Thomas. Following the presentations there was a question and answer period chased by swilling and chilling until closing time.

Motorbikes from around the world were on display from the Rider’s Corner to nearly the Kafe hangout of watchers drawing plenty of attention.

January 11 and 12 were announced as the dates for the 2013 Horizons Unlimited Traveller’s Mini-Meeting, again to be held at the Rider’s Corner Restaurant and Inn

www.riderscorner.net

, the Horizons Unlimited touch point for serious motorcycle travellers throughout Southeast Asia.

Big and small motorcycles for serious riders to inspect and photograph made for fun tire kicking and telling of tall travel tales.end Report.

To attend the 2013 Thailand HU Travelers Meeting, see the registration page here.Many thanks to Rider's Corner / The Ride Inn Hotel for hosting hte event and their terrific support.

Also thanks to Greg Frazier for his efforts, and all the many helpers, organisers and speakers who make the event what it is. Thanks to all!Grant and Susan

Horizons Unlimited

More information:

Commemorative Poster

2012 Poster in pdf format 900kb) full colour posterThanks for the help!

Accommodation

Major Accommodation

The Ride Inn Hotel

/ Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant

357 Moon Muang Road

Tel: 087-0481787, 085-6188914

Note: The Ride Inn Hotel is the base camp for the 2012 HU Mini-Meeting. They have a limited number of rooms but can find you local accommodations if filled. Located on the corner of the moat surrounding the old city of Chiang Mai, it is easy walking distance to many of the local sites.

Other Accommodation Possibilities

Numerous accommodation possibilities are nearby, but do reserve early as this is the "high season" in Chiang Mai.

Top North Hotel

41 Moon Muang Road

8 rooms are reserved under "Horizons Unlimited"

1,050 TB per night, with air con

Tel: 053-279-6235

[email protected]

,

www.topnorthgroup.com

Top North Guest House

approx 600 Thai Baht (Big Room, air con) 500 TB (Small room, A/C), 400 TB (Small, fan)

15 Moon Muang Road, Soi 2

Tel: 053-278-9000

[email protected]

,

www.topnorthgroup.com

Lai-Thai Guest House

No rooms reserved, but vacancies

111/4-5 Kotchasarn Road

750 Thai baht - Double/Twin

Tel: 053-271-725

[email protected]

www.laithai.com

Note: All three of the above are short walking distance to Amora Tapae Hotel, Art Café, "Chill and Swill" Oasis's on The Moat, as well as Internet shops, Starbucks, and numerous other restaurants and tourist shops. They are also very popular with motorcycle travelers attending Chiang Mai Bike Week and have off-street motorcycle parking.

The Meeting Location

Riders Corner Bar and Restaurant

357, Moon Muang Road

Chiang MaiMore information on how to find it.

GPS: N18.47.701, E98.59.602 (Located in the heart of Chiang Mai, on the northeast corner of the old moat, just minutes walking from the central Tapae Gate. Easy to find by tuk-tuk from most hotels and guest houses.)Menu: Western and Thai.HU Mini Meeting Special: 15% off all meals for HU travellers Friday and Saturday!

Free Wifi, some off-street parking, open late, English spoken and a "HU traveller friendly" atmosphere. Motorcycle traveller DVD player with multiple screens! Got your special adventure travel DVD? Bring it along and the management will try to play it on the house system.The Riders Corner Bar and Restaurant and Ride Inn Hotel have become "the meeting point" for serious local and international motorcycle travellers in Asia and especially those in the Golden Triangle of Thailand. It is here that the latest information can be found on motorcycling and travel through the wide network of contacts in and out of the location. The motorcycle specific and freshest maps of North Thailand and Laos are sold from here with net profits going to charitable organizations in Asia. If a motorcycle traveller wants Golden Triangle riding tips, this is the place to start in Chiang Mai!

Getting There - GPS, Maps

If you're heading there, check out the

HUBB for the Thailand Meeting thread, who's going etc!GPS Co-ordinates:

ART CAFE (Swill and Chill near Tapae Gate)

N18.78786 E98.99367

GOODWILL/JOE'S BIKE TEAM (Motorcycle rentals and repairs)

N18.78898 E98.99602

TONY'S BIG BIKES

(Motorcycle rentals)

17 Ratchamankha Road, Tel: 053207124

Information about the area

Can you supply us with links, and other info on the places to ride, and interesting things to see in the area? Let us know

here.

Local Hosts

The Thailand HU Meeting "Official Travel Agency" is:

Boutique Travel Service

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Tel: +66 (0) 53 284 042 or +66 (0) 89 433 1505

If you have any questions, please contact

Grant

or Greg:

[email protected]

The Horizons Unlimited events couldn't happen without the support of the local organizers and other helpers, and we greatly appreciate their assistance and support - please be sure to thank them too!

& another report on last years meeting in the link below:

Edited November 9, 2012 by Tywais
Removed image at OP request

[JeffreyMcCollum]

If you have been looking forward to an excuse to ride to Chiang Mai, this is the event to do it for. At that time of year there is little or no rain and it is not too hot.

Riders corner is a wonderful spot. to base out of and the meeting are fun, if they can keep out the Burma politic talker this year.that would be an added bonus

[snowflake]

I am on my way... Should leave NST on Friday and be in Chang Mai Saturday... Then back Sunday arrive home Monday... Anyone else making the long journey?

[RidersCorner]

A quick reminder about the Horizons Unlimited meeting (around-the-world riders) on the 11th & 12th January, 2013 at Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant in Chiang Mai. The final details regarding presenters are in the press release below:

THAILAND HORIZONS UNLIMITED MEETING SCHEDULE

January 11, 2013 (Friday) – Welcome Reception

From 18:00-19:00 a "Welcome Horizons Unlimited Travellers" reception will be hosted by the Golden Triangle Rider Band with their soothing CD quietness in the background. Free beer and mixed Jameson whiskey drinks for all attendees for the one hour, then attendees are on their own for the rest of the evening. All meals ordered are at 15% off, compliments of the Rider’s Corner Bar and Restaurant for Horizons Unlimited. This is an open mixer for any serious motorcyclist or Horizons Unlimited travellers that happen to be in Chiang Mai for the Mini-Meeting January 12 or just wanting to drop in and meet other like-minded serious and adventurist motorcyclists.

At 19:00 – 19:45 Presenters Filippo and Heike “FROM GERMANY TO THAILAND IN 7 MONTHS – THE HIGHLIGHTS.”

At 20:00 – 20.45 Presenters Joerg Waldmann and Heike “MYANMAR BY MOTORCYCLE – 5 BIG BIKES ON A ROUND TRIP IN MYANMAR.”

January 12 (Saturday) – Group Photo, BBQ, HU Mini Meeting And Multimedia Shows

At 14:00 there will be a group photo in front of the Rider’s Corner Bar and Restaurant.

At 18:00 the plan for the Mini-Meeting is simple. Show up at 18:00, have a drink, tell some tales, and enjoy one of the best BBQ buffets in Chiang Mai. Reservations for the BBQ are required! 200THB for the BBQ. Drinks are extra. Call 0870481787 or email [email protected] to reserve your meal. BBQ is over at 19:15.

There are a number of entertaining multi-media presentations on Saturday evening by scheduled speakers after the globally famous Rider's Corner Horizons Unlimited All-You-Can-Eat BBQ, and introductions of all attendees. Speaker shows are:

• 19:30 – 20:15 “POOR CIRCULATION: SIZE DOESN'T MATTER” (The 'Round The World Journey That Never Ended) by Geoff Thomas (UK). Triumph Tiger 955i to Tiger Retro 110.
  
• 20:30 – 21:15 “MUNICH TO CAPETOWN” (The Harder Way Down) by Ekke Kok and Audrey Allenspach-Kok (Canada).
  
• 21:30 – 22:15 “THE WANDERING MOTORBIKER I” (The Pitfalls Of China Planning, What Happens When The Whole Reason For Your Trip Goes Up In Smoke, But You Have Already Left And Are On The Road). Show by "The Universal Eyes" on the road, aka Richard Winter (Travelling Strom) from Australia.
  
• 22:15 – 22:30 Questions and Answers – Travel Around SE Asia Or 'Round The World
  

Special Notice for attendees:

Need maps of North Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or the area around Nan? The Rider’s Corner Bar and Restaurant have stocked the latest and most up-to-date maps for sale. These maps have been researched, designed and tailored for avid motorbikers by serious motorbike enthusiasts. They are not old knocked-off copies of government maps. They are the latest, freshest, and newest maps anywhere. Check here for details: http://www.riderscorner.net/gps_maps_and_products/

The Golden Triangle Rider T-shirts, by MEO DESIGNS, are also stocked and for sale at the Rider’s Corner Bar and Restaurant. For details look here: http://www.gt-rider.net

To see the fun 2012 attendees had, look here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/meetings/Thailand2012

Edited December 30, 2012 by RidersCorner

[Gweiloman]

Have just returned from CM and would love to go again, if only to ride the roads. Sadly, work beckons so will have to give this a miss.

If anyone is contemplating going and have not tried some of the roads before, I would strongly recommend the following route, starting from Tak

105 to Mae Sot and onwards to Mae Sariang

From Mae Sariang, 108 to Hot and then onto CM

The 105 has some incredible bits - race track condition with sweeping curves and all of a sudden, you will come to some unpaved bits, potholes etc. An extremely enjoyable ride (thanks to Frank from NL for the suggestion).

[RidersCorner]

Quick reminder that the Horizons Unlimited meeting starts tomorrow night. Presenters will talk about their motorcycle tour into Myanmar. Saturday 12th Jan., 6pm BBQ then 4 more presenters, it will be a good one.