Major overlander rallies coming up
Horizons Unlimited Rally and the Tesch Rally offer entertainment and excitement even if you’re not planning a mega-trip yourself.
Two major events aimed specifically at motorcycle overlanders are coming up, so make dates in your diaries for the Horizons Unlimited Rally (June 14-17) and the Tesch Rally (April 24-29). If you’ve never been to an Horizons rally, it’s well worth a visit, even if you’re not planning on doing a big overland trip – just an interest in travel is enough. This year will see the usual packed programme of back-to-back speakers, events, demonstrations and training, with travellers giving illustrated talks on their trips, including advice on border crossings and packing light. Travel authors, tour operators and equipment specialists will all be on hand, and following the success of off-road training sessions last year, these will be available too, at just £45 per half-day.
Horizons Unlimited is being held at the Baskerville Hall Hotel near Hay on Wye in the Brecon Beacons, so it’s surrounded by some very entertaining tarmac and legal off-road routes. Like most bike rallies, Horizons usually involves camping, but the less hardy can opt to stay in the hotel instead. And don’t be surprised to see the odd Land Rover or expedition bicycle, because the rally is now open to all two- and four-wheel travellers.
The Tesch Rally, probably the longest running motorcycle overlanders’ meet in the world – the first was in 1977 – celebrates its 60th edition this May. Held, as always, in Malmedy, Belgium, it plays host to travellers from all over Europe. It has speakers and a ride out into the local countryside plus the obligatory rally fire and a beer or two.
This year, speakers will include Catherin Alternabach, who took a six-month trip to Iran, Mongolia, Russia and back to Europe by Honda Transalp, and our very own Nick Sanders. He’ll have just returned from leading a group through Morocco, and will be preparing for the ultimate adventure tour, with a group of 12 riders trekking from the UK to Vladivostock – that one is booked up, by the way. Third speaker on the Saturday is
Bernd Tesch himself, who with partner Patricia Govers-Tesch crossed North America in both directions last year, in a sidecar outfit.
Tesch the man is one of the big characters of the overlanding world, a sort of cross between Bear Grylls and Boris Johnson, if that makes any sense. He’s also one of those travellers who has made a career out of adventuring, with sidelines such as his own line in aluminium luggage. More intriguing are the ‘survival training weekends’ he runs in Belgium with advice on keeping warm, dry, hydrated and safe.
As for the Tesch Rally, having been before, I can confirm it’s an experience worth having. The campsite was a bit basic (at least when I went) but that was all part of it. And as with Horizons Unlimited, the biggest overlanders’ rally of all, you don’t have to have done a big trip to be part of the event – everyone is welcome.