The final major area of the event field was the authors tent . A number of very wellknown authors were selling their wares assuming you could stop them talking about travels for five minutes . If you wanted to get a 1-2-1 with people who had “ done it ”, then this was the tent to visit – needless to say it was a popular destination . The authors did not appear to mind passing on their massed years of experience to those who wanted to live their own dreams on the roads of this planet .
For my sins , and having arrived back from a motorcycle exploration of Germany ’ s Black Forest on the Friday night , I only manage to arrive at the event on the Saturday morning , and given that my European trip allowed no room for camping gear , I was ‘ forced ’ to overnight in a local bistro hotel . I live a hard life . I had departed Folkestone for Great Missenden at a delightful 04:30hrs for a number of reasons but primarily as I wanted to keep off of the motorways and stick to the back roads . I believe every trip ought to and can be an adventure . The most direct route would have taken me around 2 hours , but my scenic route took about 4 hours as I rode past scenic sights and point of interest including the final resting place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle .
Saturdays events commenced at 10:00hrs with activities in both of the main presentation tents whose duration were normally around 30mins . I opted to go for a technical workshop held by Continental in their own vendor tent on how to change your own tyres . Although most of us think we know how to change our tyres when we are away from cities , it is always useful to get hints and tips from the pros ranging from the correct use and placement of tyre levers , through to using liquids to help seat the tyre on the rim . All good stuff .
At 1100hrs the options were to have a Q & A session with Ted Simon or listen to a talk about an impending trip in to Africa by Melanie Cowpland taking her daughter Sofia along for the ride . Sofia happens to have autism and just to highlight that people who have that complaint can do anything anyone else can , Melanie is planning to ride her motorcycle outfit from the UK to South Africa . They are currently seeking sponsorship and dontations in order to make this trip possible . Certainly a thought provoking presentation . Good luck to their future endeavours .
Directly after the ‘ Autism to Africa ’ presentation , there was a workshop by Andreas Hulsman on how to take better photographs when you ’ re on the road . Although English was not Andreas ’ first language , and that the topic was by its very nature complex , I certainly took away knowledge on setting up shots and how to get those luscious well-lit night shots . I shall be practising those suggestions on my next trip .
Switching locations to the Rev ’ It tent , I sat in on a workshop held by Motofrieght ( a company specialising in shipping your motorcycle and equipment around the world ). The general focus of the interactive workshop was that you wanted to do a particular trip , and wanted your kit at a particular start point . Motofreight walked the attendees through the processes they would need to follow and the estimated timings ( which are oh so critical in trips such as there ). They explained the best ways to crate a bike ( a service which they carry out ) and actually crated a BMW R1200GS whilst the workshop was underway . They explained what kit can and cannot be carried within the crate , and the papework which needs to be completed by yourself , the paperwork which they [ Motofreight ] complete on your behalf , and what needs to go with the bike . They even explained why the wood they use for building a crate won ’ t cause a problem going to locations such as Australia ! That was something I did not know .
T
he final major area of the event field was the authors tent. A number of very well-
known authors were selling their wares assuming you could stop them talking about travels for
five minutes. If you wanted to get a 1-2-1 with people who had “done it”, then this was the tent
to visit – needless to say it was a popular destination. The authors did not appear to mind
passing on their massed years of experience to those who wanted to live their own dreams on
the roads of this planet.
For my sins, and having arrived back from a motorcycle exploration of Germany’s Black Forest on
the Friday night, I only manage to arrive at the event on the Saturday morning, and given that my
European trip allowed no room for camping gear, I was ‘forced’ to overnight in a local bistro
hotel. I live a hard life. I had departed Folkestone for Great Missenden at a delightful 04:30hrs
for a number of reasons but primarily as I wanted to keep off of the motorways and stick to the
back roads. I believe every trip ought to and can be an adventure. The most direct route would
have taken me around 2 hours, but my scenic route took about 4 hours as I rode past scenic
sights and point of interest including the final resting place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Saturdays events commenced at 10:00hrs with activities in both of the main presentation tents
whose duration were normally around 30mins. I opted to go for a technical workshop held by
Continental in their own vendor tent on how to change your own tyres. Although most of us
think we know how to change our tyres when we are away from cities, it is always useful to get
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