Motorcycle Explorer August 2015 Issue 7 | Page 44

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 .