COMPASS Expeditions was formed off the back of a fundraising ride across Siberia several years ago.

The company started with five bikes, an old Toyota support vehicle and a huge amount of enthusiasm for motorcycle travel.

Today the company operates 25 tours covering 36 countries on four continents with registered offices in Chile and Australia.
There is now a fleet of BMW motorcycles and support vehicles but one thing remains the same - the true passion for motorcycle touring and the wonderful sense of achievement in providing incredible, fascinating and, sometimes, life changing travel experiences.Compass Expeditions offers the world's largest range of motorcycle tours in South America on new, or near new, BMW F650 GS twins - that's their standard bike.It became the first motorcycle tour company to ever successfully complete the epic Road of Bones in the far east of Siberia as part of its 105 London to Magadan Expedition.Compass Expedition rides have been internationally recognised by one of the world's most prestigious organisations - National Geographic.In 2011 the Compass Expeditions best selling Patagonia Explorer ride made it into Nat Geo's "Top 50 tours of a lifetime" list.Inclusion in this list, amongst the giants of the worldwide travel industry, made Compass Expeditions the only motorcycle tour company to have been included in this list, EVER.

One of the world's foremost adventure magazines, Outpost, has been nominated magazine of the year, and it has nominated Compass Expedition's epic 125 day circumnavigation of South America as one of the top 100 adventure travel experiences on Earth.US Playboy chose Compass Expeditions to research their article on the growing adventure motorcycle touring industry.Last year Compass also gained the coveted "BMW Travel Partner" status making it the only motorcycle tour company in Australia to be part of this exclusive group.

"The secret to our success has been our innovative, all inclusive tours, value for money rides that leave our many clients wanting more, hence our expansion of tours beyond South America," says Compass Expeditions Director Mick McDonald. "Whether it's riding across Patagonia, crossing the Andes, exploring the Australian Outback, or visiting Gallipoli, and so much more, Compass Expeditions has it covered,"he said.
For more information check out www.compassexpeditions.com.au or contact the company on 1300 887 327.
 

Only 10 years left to see Borneo!
BECAUSE that's how long before the motorcycle playground in Kota Kinabalu clogs up with the inevitable traffic and motorisation.Or at least that's the view of Bryan who lives in Borneo in the beautiful hills overlooking Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, and the home of Borneo Biking Adventures."They said: write a short piece about what you offer to your discerning customers and why they would be enticed to your idyllic motorcycle playground," muses Bryan."I'd need a whole lot more room to do justice to Sabah and its endless miles of motorcycling bliss," he said.

"The reason for our great success, apart from the fantastic roads, outstanding scenery and our 14,000ft mountain is that there are amazingly friendly indigenous people living here in Borneo."Borneo Biking is run very differently to other bike tour operations and I believe this has been the key to drawing so many bikers to Sabah."The people from Borneo Biking Adventures live there all year round so they don't have to set departure dates for their tours, nor do they have set routes."We tailor every trip around your personal preferences. Whether it's on-road or off-road, scenic or cultural, we will build you a personalised adventure of a lifetime," Bryan said."Your adventure begins when you arrive at KK airport.

Of course we'll advise how to get the best out of your time while staying with us, but, ultimately, you choose what you would like to see and do from a list that is both long and diverse," he said."Either Terry or I will help you plan your adventure and incorporate as many of the sites as possible, then show you the beauty that Sabah has to offer."In our Paradise, and we believe this is how it should be, it's all about the personal touch."For an in-depth insight into what Borneo Biking Adventures can do for you check out their website on www.borneobikingadventures.com to see what their customers and other motorcycle publications have written about them.
 

Timor, the world's newest destination
EAST Timor has been described as the world's "newest destination" but that is a little unfair as it has been recognised for its world class diving for over a decade and this year marks the 4th Tour de Timor - the toughest international mountain bike race in the world.So what is motorcycling in East Timor like?
Dave and Shirley Carlos, who lead all the tours, say that the people are friendly and pleased for you to visit.The scenery is beautiful and features a mountain range with a peak of 3000m and long stretches of coast.The environment is pristine and it's warm.
East Timor is easy to get to as it is just a one hour flight from Darwin, but it's a real adventure to get around.The culture is unique and the history is incredible and outside of the capital city of Dili the roads are quiet.The roads are in poor condition and distances are measured in time, not kilometres, and there are farm animals on the road and the people wave to you when you travel through villages - it's nothing like riding at home.East Timor might not be the world's newest destination, but it is certainly the world's newest motorcycle destination and 2012 is special as the country celebrates 10 years as a new nation.

Timor Adventures operates 7-day tours for $1625, 12-day tours for $2780 and a special 14-day tour in May for $3190.Tours generally run between May and November.Pricing excludes airfares and there are discounts for group bookings. Airlines fly from Darwin, Denpasar and Singapore.Tour prices include all the stuff you would expect - bikes, fuel, support vehicle, local speaking guide, all meals, accommodation (twin share), airport transfers and even a local mobile phone.
For more information check out www.timoradventures.com.au, email Carlos on carlos@timoradventures.com.au or call on 0448 514 333.
 

Take to the High Country
THE experienced crew at Mt Buller Motorcycle Adventures offer exciting trail bike adventures in the Victorian High Country for beginners or the hardened experts.Go offroad in Victoria's Alpine National Park and surrounding state forest where you can admire not only breathtaking scenery but also challenge your riding skills.Mt Buller Motorcycle Adventures cater for private groups, or you can join others, whether you want to go for a day or a week, you can get a ride package to suit you.
Tours include accommodation, meals including light snacks and refreshments (excluding alcohol), fuel after the first tank, fully equipped support vehicle, applicable forestry fees, experienced guides, sweep riders and support crew, first aid, communications and the ride of a lifetime.

The Mt Buller Motorcycle Adventures team has been operating Victorian High Country trail bike tours since 2003.The company operates all year round and executes its tours from the base of Mt Buller Ski Village, Victoria's premier ski resort, located just two and a half hours northeast of Melbourne.All riders must hold a current motorcycle licence, have a registered motorcycle and complete various indemnity forms prior to tour.

For more information about Mt Buller Motorcycle Adventures ring 0412 587 011 or check out www.bullerbikeadventures.com.au where you can see picture galleries of the amazing scenery you can expect to enjoy, read testimonials from satisfied riders, and learn all about the experienced crew, check out their calender of events or even book a gift voucher for that passionate offroad rider in your family.
 

Brazil - more than just coffee and motorcycles
VERY few people realise that Brazil is South America's biggest country and as such it has a colossal coastline spanning some 7,500 kilometres.
Brazil is a tropical paradise that features stunning rain-forests, infamous beaches, endless rivers and mountains and a large network of roads connecting the traveller to some of Brazil's most exciting cities, rich in culture, colour and celebration."We run our tours for small groups only - you and me and four others with the same attitude to adventure," says Brazil on Bikes founder Renato.

Brazilian born Renato has ridden over not only the 26 states of Brazil, but many other countries in Latin America as well."The idea for the company originated on the road after several years and thousands of kilometres being marvelled by Brazil's landscape, food, culture and friendly people," Renato said.The places to see and things to do are too numerous to list - stroll along Ipanema and Copacaba beach at sunset, explore the 400 waterfalls of Ilhabela, ride the best motorcycle road in Brazil with its 240km of continuous corners, visit the spectacular Iguacu Falls, ride across the mighty Parana River to the largest wetlands in the world and tons more.

Brazil On Bikes also has a Sydney office and the company's team of Brazilians and Aussies can guarantee an exciting look at one of South America's most fascinating countries.The company operates its own fleet of bikes, based in Sao Paolo, Brazil and they include BMW 650 GS, Kawasaki Versys 650, Yamaha XT 660 R, Honda XL 700V Transalp, BMW F800 GS and Triumph Tiger 1050.Tour prices include space in support vehicle for rider's luggage, fuel for all riding days, magnetic tank bag and third party bike insurance.For a look at some of the amazing destinations and tours available in Brazil, check out www.brazilonbikes.com or ring their Sydney office on (02) 9418 9928.

Experience the Travel Directors difference
WHEN it comes to small-group escorted tours, Travel Directors are in a league of their own.The independent West Australian travel company has more than 20 years experience in designing unique adventures that let you get under the skin of some of the world's most spectacular destinations. 
The company, which was the first in the world to take a tour group on the newly completed Himalayan Express rail line from Beijing to Tibet in 2007, has expanded its range of tours to include motorcycle adventures and it all came about through a sequence of unexpected events. 

Tony Evans, one of the company directors and a fanatic for motorbike touring with a difference since he rode around Europe at the age of 17, explains: "Four years ago I was escorting a group across the Himalayan Plateau. We had just crossed into Nepal when we learnt of a truck drivers strike which had closed the road from the Tibetan border to Kathmandu. I was able to use helicopters to evacuate the group, but the light started to fade through the mountains, leaving a journalist and me stranded at the border.

"As I watched a small motorbike go past I realised this was the way I could evade the road blockade. I quickly hired a bike and four hours later we were in Kathmandu. The thrill of that ride made me realise that with our vast knowledge of the region, together with all our contacts and ground operators, we could create a sensational motorcycle portfolio. Sometimes adverse events inspire the most innovative ideas!"A couple of things set Travel Directors apart from some other Motorcycle Tour companies. First they are a travel company with three distinct branches: retail travel – flights, hotels, accommodation, car hire etc; corporate travel; and wholesale – that is, their own fully-escorted small-group tours. The second is that their tour prices are fully inclusive.

You just rock up at the airport with your bike gear, personal insurance and personal spending money, and you're ready to go. Absolutely everything else is covered: flights, accommodation, meals, visas, taxes, tips, gratuities, bikes, fuel, mechanics and support vehicles, entrance fees and sight-seeing, tour leader, local guides – the lot. Tony Evans has put together three brilliant road teams for each of the three motorcycle tours, all of which promise exhilarating riding and adventure in spectacular locations. Ride on the Roof of the world – from Lhasa in Tibet to Kathmandu in Nepal – is an awe-inspiring ride on Royal Enfield 500cc Bullets taking in a side trip to Everest Base Camp.The Trail of Genghis Khan begins at mighty Lake Baikal in Siberia, riding through the grasslands of beautiful Mongolia and into China, riding triumphantly into Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Heart of Africa begins on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda and finishes on the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi, via Rwanda and a close encounter with its famous mountain gorillas.

For more information about the holiday experience you can enjoy through Travel Directors check out www.traveldirectors.com.au or ring them on 1300 856 661. Travel Directors guarantee you will have the Adventure of a Lifetime!

Offroad on the Coffs coast
COFFS Harbour and the North Coast of NSW boast all types of terrain which makes for some absolutely awesome riding. From sandy trails to leafy rainforest with fast flowing trails; from tight single-lane tracks to big hill climbs, Boris Everson and the crew at Coffs Harbour Detours can tailor the ride to suite any rider's needs."Whatever you want mate, we offer a range of trail bike tours in the Coffs Harbour Region and surrounding North Coast," says Boris.
"From one-day to seven-day rides to areas including Bellingen, Taylors Arm (The Pub with no Beer), Dorrigo, Mt Hyland, Arrawarra Beach, Brooms Head and much more," he says.Boris aims to make sure that when you ride with Coffs Harbour Detour you will not be disappointed, and his tours are all inclusive."We provide you with the best trails on the North Coast, highly experienced local trail guides, all meals, all fuel after the first tank, trailside lunches and snacks, accommodation on overnight tours, and a support vehicle that carries your overnight bags as well as food and fuel," he says.Bikes must have current road registration and riders must be licensed.

For more information contact Boris and the crew on 0407 300 690 or (02) 6654 4690. Email boris@coffsharbourdetour.com.au or check out the website on www.coffsharbourdetour.com.au.

Aussie Biker tours
WHETHER you are looking for motorcycle rental, self-guided tours or guided tours to the Moto GP or even Queensland's Tropical Coast, then Aussie Biker can put you on the right track.

The 15-day guided Tropical Coast and Country Tour (July 31 to Aug 14) covers 5200km through bustling outback towns like Longreach, Winton and Hughenden plus the Tropical resort towns of Cairns, Townsville and Airlie Beach with a day trip further north to Cape Tribulation.Then there's the guided 8-day MotoGP tour from Oct 21 to Oct 29 which takes you from Noosa to Phillip Island, then Melbourne, then fly back to the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane Airports.

There's a host of self-guided tours from 10 to 21 days covering everything from Sydney, Canberra, Red centre, Outback/Birdsville Track, etc. Check the Aussie Biker website for information on rental bikes, Kickstart discount offer, one-way rental specials, bikes, breakdown assistance, insurance etc.Aussie Biker Tours and Rentals, now trading as Aussie Biker, was founded by current owners David and Michelle Pearce in 1997. David, a lifelong motorcyclist, has an extensive history as a former franchised motorcycle dealer, technician and motorcycle sidecar and accessory manufacturer.The business rapidly outgrew its first two premises and in 2003 relocated to modern premises in Noosa with showroom, offices and a fully supported workshop in-house.In 2007 the motorcycle accessory retail shop, Aussie Biker Shop, opened and is a fully stocked retail outlet with a full range of motorcycle apparel and accessories.

For more information on the complete range of tours and services from Aussie Biker check out www.aussiebiker.com.au or ring David and the crew on 07 5474 1050.

Get Routed
GET ROUTED has been in the business of shipping bikes to various world destinations for 13 years, but to call them 'Shipping Agents' would be far from the truth.

Prior to putting bikes in containers and sending them to exotic destinations, Dave Milligan and Maggie Wolfenden actually ran Isle of Man tours (and still do), so real road racing fans could check out the TT and the Manx GP.
As a result if you want to do the TT there's no better tour company than Get Routed to do it with. If they haven't got it right by now then there's something wrong.Obviously adaptation is the best way to survive long term, so Get Routed have now got more destinations you can have your bike shipped to, including New Zealand, UK, USA, South Africa, Turkey and and Spain.Some of the tours the company has run have included checking out some race events on the British mainland, motorcycle museums, the Triumph factory etc.

In fact if you have enough people keen to see something specific you can always call Dave and Maggie to see if they will organise a tour to suit.Because their IOMTT tours are so popular you do need to book well in advance, and the Manx GP is a hot bed of activity on that front too.You need to check with Get Routed for shipping dates to and from your chosen destination, but don't worry if you can't stick around for a couple of months touring Europe, you can return your bike to the depot and it will be stored safely in readiness for the big trip home.One last word is if you love motorcycle racing you haven't seen anything until you've seen the IOMTT in the flesh. It is simply breathtaking, as is the scenery on the island itself.

Call Dave and Maggie on 03 9351 0612, 0412 689 849 or 0423 289 573. You can also email dave@getrouted.com.au or visit the website at www.getrouted.com.au.