Category: Tourism & Travel

1. Summer biking starts here, and some great deals for next winter‏

   Posted on 9:49am Wednesday 7th May 2014

   Hard to believe that our summer season is about to start, but it is...

   Our winter tours in Kerala have made India our most popular winter destination this year, knocking NZ off top spot, and our customer comments have been reassuringly and universally full of praise!

   And we're nearly there to kick off this year's US tours, with three very different rides.

   First off is a repeat group of 10 riders who are riding our 1-week Canyons Run self-guided tour out of Las Vegas, having previously explored Florida. I hope they will notice the difference and don't miss the cool ocean!

   Then we have our first Orange & Black Route 66 Tour of the year, the only Route 66 tour recommended by Harley-Davidson, with star Route 66 guide Gary/Bear at the controls of course (he's worth the tour price on his own!).

   Our new bikes will be waiting for us at our city centre hotel so we can ride straight to the start of Route 66, about 10 blocks away, and then out of Chicago. Another first! And further proof that our authorized Harley tours are simply the best. We've always ridden more of Route 66 than anyone else, and we've just added a few more miles to that for 2014, so the best just got better (again)! And if you still haven't decided on what to do this summer, we've still got places available on this iconic ride, so you don't have to miss out! New bikes, small groups, expert guides, full-service support van, recommended by Harley-Davidson, what are you waiting for?

   And our last big adventure in May is Mountains & Music, a 2-week self-guided tour we've put together for 28 members of Invicta HOG. I've wanted to run a tour like this for years, and I'm delighted we've finally made it. Starting in Nashville we ride the Devil's Triangle, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Tail of the Dragon, than across to the Misissippi Delta, Memphis and back to Nashville. With its mix of the twistiest roads in America and some great music, people and history along the way this is one great ride .If you think this might be for you, and it really should be, give me a call.

   Some 12,000 miles away, our Himalayan High Roads tour kicks into life in June. This was our very first tour in Asia back in 1996, and it is still one of those 'must do' rides for every biker - the highest pass in the World, at over 5600 m. Like Route 66, this is a tour that many have tried to copy, but the knowledge, attitude and attention to detail of our guides really do make it something special. So if the USA or Canada aren't for you, then try this ride on the wild side this year.

   With the strengthening pound (how long will it last?!), we're delighted to have been able to bring down our Australia and South Africa prices, and hold our New Zealand and India prices again for 2014/15. So dust down those winter plans to these fabulous destinations and get in touch.

    

   www.hctravel.com

    

   www.orange-and-black.co.uk

    

   www.bikerstravelinsurance.co.uk 

    

2. COMPASS RELEASES OUR BIGGEST EXPEDITION

   Posted on 9:47am Thursday 1st May 2014

   Compass Expeditions is excited to release the dates for the 2015 circumnavigation of the entire South American continent the 360 Expedition. Our 128 day, 33,000 km Expedition will depart Santiago, Chile on 21st Feb and return to Santiago, Chile on 28th Jun 2015.

   “This is one of the biggest rides on earth and covers an impossible diversity of landscapes, cultures and riding experiences” say Jerry Cook founder of Compass Expeditions. “The greatest ride on earth” was how one client put it after completing last year’s inaugural 360 Expedition.

   “This expedition is a ride of superlatives as we ride the mythical Patagonia to the worlds southernmost city of Ushuaia before turning northwards through Argentina to Iguazu Falls. From there we move along the coast of beautiful Brazil until reaching Brazil’s mighty Amazon River, where we’ll move at a leisurely pace by boat to the former rubber export capital of Manaus. Riding north again by motorcycle we’ll cross through a land that time forgot to Venezuela, home to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The lost World”. This region is a spectacular surprise with it epic scenery and the worlds tallest waterfall in Angel Falls.

   Heading south we’ll pass through the rider’s paradise of Colombia, past rumbling volcanoes in Ecuador, explore ancient cultures in beautiful Peru, witness the incredible Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia before heading across to the Atacama Desert, The highest and driest desert in the world and then finishing the epic adventure back in Santiago”.

   128 Days of spectacular scenery, good company, multiple cultures and languages and with a support vehicle to carry your belongings.

   The beauty of this ride, besides the fantastic achievement of circumnavigating the most vibrant continent on the planet, is that you can choose to ride your own motorcycle or rent one of ours. All shipping of the motorcycle is included to the start point and home from the end, all accommodation is included, many meals and a host of excursions compliment the trip and get you immersed in the various points we explore.

   www.compassexpeditions.com

3. Vine Cottage in Wissen, Germany

   Posted on 11:00am Sunday 13th Apr 2014

   Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, at the meeting point of two valleys, a 17th century Tudor house, with en-suite rooms, beautiful gardens, bbq area, sun terrace, lounge, a hearty English Breakfast served and a well stocked bar!

   An ideal base with many fantastic roads and places to experience, including the Nürburgring race track.

   Owner Bob, has been welcoming Bikers to Vine Cottage for many years. Motorcycle washing facilities, drying room and secure parking.

   www.vinecottage.de
   
   
   

4. SIMON PAVEY RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 3rd Apr 2014

   Compass Expeditions is very pleased to announce that Dakar legend, Simon Pavey, is once again returning to Australia to conduct a level 1 & 2 off road training skills course on the weekend of November 1st & 2nd at Mansfield the gateway to the Victorian High Country.

   "Lasts years event in the Flinders Ranges was a massive success" says Mick McDonald Co- founder of Compass Expeditions, "I simply can't believe the change in skill levels, but more importantly, confidence after a weekend with Simon and his team, in fact 2 riders who had never been off road booked the epic 105 Road of Bones expedition shortly after completing the course, it really is that good " continues Mick.

   The weekend course is followed by a 5-day ride out throughout the Victorian High Country where riders can put to practice what they have learnt over the weekend. The route provides a superb mix of easy to challenging dirt with a little pavement mixed in.

   For more info on the course and 5-day ride out, which can be booked separately, click these following links.

   Weekend training 
   5-Day ride out

   www.compassexpeditions.com

5. Asian Adventures at the London Motorcycle Show‏

   Posted on 8:13am Sunday 2nd Feb 2014

   Looking for a new motorcycling challenge this year? Well, we have plenty at the London Motorcycle Show at Excel, 14-16 February. Come and see Asian Adventures by H-C Travel on stand A68 (next to Touratech).

   For all of our female customers, we have a special treat. Come and meet Tiffany Coates, global bike adventurer, who is leading the World's first even women only tour to the World's highest pass, Khardung-La in India this summer. I'm pretty sure that after speaking with her you'll be hooked on the challenge and want to join her!

   And just so you guys don't feel you've missed out, why not come on one of our regular Himalayan tours. We pioneered Himalyan touring in the 1990s, running the first tour to the World's Highest Pass, as well pioneering Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, Rajasthan and Kerala in India, Thailand, Laos and the Philippines. That experience pays off for our customers in many way, in sometimes difficult conditions, and there's plenty of adventure for anyone!We still have places left on this summer's tours, and we're offering early booking discounts for Winter and Summer 2015 at the show.

   www.hctravel.com