TOP TOURS & TRAVEL

GO NOW YE ‘RE A LONG TIME DEID COMPILED BY THE BEAR

So the Scots say, and they are spot on. So if you’re hesitating over a trip, get over it and get going. And you don’t need to go far; you don’t even need to own the “right” kind of bike (if there is any such thing) as our first item this month will show you…

TOTO, I DON’T THINK WE’RE IN KANSAS…

No, you’re in Australia, equipped by Australia’s new nationwide motorcycle rental and tour company – BikeRoundOz.

The merging of three of Australia’s largest tour and rental operators means that ‘Down Under’ two-wheeled explorers have a single source for pre ride advice, rental bikes, tours and support no matter where they roam across Oz.

BikeRoundOz has been serving the region for 14 years. By joining forces with the Australian division of worldwide tour operator Compass Expeditions and Bikescape, who are Sydney’s largest rental and tour company, the new organization has a central booking office with collection and drop off depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide.

“The key things that ensure fellow riders enjoy their time in Australia are high quality advice from real people that have ridden the routes many times, expertly prepared bikes, attention to detail and fast support no matter where you are in the country,” says Selena Thurbon, the new MD of BikeRoundOz. “The country is vast and without good knowledgeable advice you can miss all the good stuff.

Our daily focus is to ensure clients make the most of their time here whether it’s a day trip from the city or a cross continent, gravel road epic!”

Have you ever seen the Red Centre? Don’t you want to?

The merging of these experienced rental, self-guided and guided tour operators provides riders a seamless one stop shop no matter which part of Australia you are exploring and type of trip you’d like. Choose from a simple rental,on or off road, more than 60 self-guided tours and both sealed and enduro guided trips.

The extremely popular “Outback Ready” bikes will be available out of all depots and as the name suggests are equipped with everything you’ll need to venture into Australia’s iconic outback.

The national fleet is focused around BMWs and Harleys but Japanese bikes are on the list and even scooters for zipping around Sydney.

For more information visit www.bikeroundoz.com or e-mail mark@bikeroundoz.com , and say hello to Selena for us!

Lockhart, NSW, Australia – as worthwhile a travel target as anywhere else in the world. And where else has the Big Corrugated Iron Kangaroo and Emu just outside town – eh? Certainly nowhere in Kansas!

LOST AGAIN? NOT FOR A WHILE Riders of the Lost Trail in Spain is taking its regular summer break for the months of June, July & August. They do this for two reasons. Firstly, it is illegal to ride in the hills and mountains during the summer months due to the risk of fire. Secondly, it just isn’t any fun riding enduro bikes when it is 40 degrees plus.

They say they’ve had an extremely busy Winter/ Spring period and it looks like the Autumn/Winter season is going to be even busier.

They also want to clear a couple of things up.

“We are hearing increasing dissatisfaction from a growing number of riders who have been charged for breakages while riding with other companies here in Spain. We feel it important to state very clearly what our policy is on this topic: we pay for In case you’re wondering, as we were, that means “friend” in Slovenian, and – what luck! – Slovenia is where Adriatic Moto Tours is based! They have just posted the dates for next year’s tours and we suggest that if WHERE TO, PRIJATELJ? you’re interested in visiting “the Balkans, Alps, Greece, Corsica, Krakow, Tuscany, Romania, Albania, Hungary, Prague, Austria, Sardinia, the Dolomites, Budapest, France, Vienna, Croatia, the French Riviera, Nice, Switzerland, Montenegro, St.

Tropez, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy and much more” you should take a look at http://www.adriaticmototours.com/Guided-Tours/Calendar .

Adriatic does terrific tours, as you’ll be able to see from The Bear’s story in this issue. Make sure you tell them that you’re a friend of his… then again, prijateli, maybe not…

Peter Van Geuns from Toowoomba takes a corner high in the Bosnian hills on our Adriatic tour.

all damage and breakages as long as riders are riding sensibly. This means that you, as our clients, can feel at ease. If you fall and bikes are damaged, WE cover the cost – not you the rider.”

Peter Van Geuns from Toowoomba takes a corner high in the Bosnian hills on our Adriatic tour.

WHERE TO, PRIJATELJ?

In case you’re wondering, as we were, that means “friend” in Slovenian, and – what luck! – Slovenia is where Adriatic Moto Tours is based! They have just posted the dates for next year’s tours and we suggest that if you’re interested in visiting “the Balkans, Alps, Greece, Corsica, Krakow, Tuscany, Romania, Albania, Hungary, Prague, Austria, Sardinia, the Dolomites, Budapest, France, Vienna, Croatia, the French Riviera, Nice, Switzerland, Montenegro, St.

Tropez, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy and much more” you should take a look at http://www.adriaticmototours.com/Guided-Tours/Calendar .

Adriatic does terrific tours, as you’ll be able to see from The Bear’s story in this issue. Make sure you tell them that you’re a friend of his… then again, prijateli, maybe not…

NORTH TO ALASKA

Can you see yourself in this photo?

“Being born and raised in Alaska has its advantages and disadvantages,” says Phil Freeman, the founder of MotoQuest.

“Sure, your stomping ground is one of the most sparsely populated regions on earth with limitless opportunities for outdoor activities. But there always is an element of separation between Alaska and the real world. We are like a large island and some joke we are the smallest town in the world. With the land size almost as big as Mexico, and a population of just 700,0000, we Alaskans have plenty of space to ourselves!

“I think the most noticeable differences in traveling Alaska than anywhere else are the open and friendly people and the unfathomable vastness of wilderness.

In a land where you are part of the food chain, the locals help one another. It’s hard to get stranded too long at the side of the road before someone lends a helping hand. Alaskans take care of one another.

“As for enjoying a pristine environment, you can be riding along on your motorcycle and stop just about anywhere and stand off to the side of the road. Chances are, you are the first person to ever have stood there.

“Anyone who comes up and rides Alaska for few days becomes mesmerized by the sheer enormity of this place. Add to it the element of solitude, endless mountains, glaciers and rivers, and you have natural history as it should be. To explore Alaska is to explore, truly, the Last Frontier. To experience it by motorcycle can only be described as EPIC.

“I encourage you to come up to Alaska on your own. If you don’t have a motorcycle, rent one and spend a week traveling from mountain range to mountain range with literally NO TRAFFIC at all. If you like the social element of touring on a motorcycle, and want to go with experienced guides and support, then I recommend the following tours:

Light Adventure: Best of Alaska Adventure Sunday, Jun 28th 2015 – Tuesday, Jul 7th 2015 Medium Adventure: Northern Lights Adventure Saturday, Aug 29th 2015 -Sunday, Sep 6th 2015 Heavy Adventure: Back country Explorer Friday, Jul 24th 2015 -Saturday, Aug 1st 2015 “If you have any questions regarding our program here in Alaska, do not hesitate to ask me. I know a thing or two about Alaska. I even co-authored an award winning book about it: “The Adventurous Motorcyclist’s Guide to Alaska.” Feel free to call or write me about riding in the 49th state.

Phil Freeman, Founder, MotoQuest.

Email: phil@motoquest.com, Phone: 1(907) 441-1944.

VIETNAM ON THREE

No, I said Vietnam on three… not four!

A little while ago, I asked David John, who lives in Hanoi, if he could put us in contact with someone who runs sidecar tours in Vietnam. He came through in spades.

“My friend Cuong has been restoring and repairing Ural sidecars in Hanoi for 12 years or more. He offers guided tours on Ural solo machines as well as on Ural sidecar outfits and on Minsks and some Honda trail bikes. Tours can be arranged for 2 or 3 days to 3 to 4 weeks and can be tailor made for the customer. On the guided tours, as well as a guide there is a mechanic to look after every

engineering need.

“His website is Cuongs motorbike adventure.com , or You can send email to: info@cuongs-motorbike-adventure.com

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