(feral-os-o-phy) (noun): In a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication. Belief or doctrine. The Ozarks regularly appear on Expedition Portal and in Overland Journal for good reason. Overlanders frequent the forested mountains that stretch across five states, taking in springs, rushing waterfalls, lakes, caverns, and other karstic landforms. Add some off-pavement trails,…
Magic at The Meadow – 2024 Sierra Trek
Back in 1966, a group of Jeepers gathered in the northern Sierra Nevada along the banks of Fordyce Creek. They were in search of a long-forgotten wagon route that led to an 1860s mining camp known as Summit City. Perched on grassy alpine shores above Meadow Lake, in its heyday, Summit City boasted 4,000 residents,…
Reza Pakravan :: Modern Explorer
Photography by Kevin Merrey and Mark Game It was 70 days into Reza Pakravan’s bicycle expedition from Norway to South Africa before he cracked. His body weak with a recent bout of malaria and severe food poisoning, Reza and his expedition partner, Steven Pawley, slogged through the Kenyan desert in 40°C temperatures, out of water…
Ducati DesertX Discovery Adventure Tourer
With the debut of the DesertX Discovery, Ducati acknowledges the difference between adventure riding and adventure touring. The former being a hurried transit through natural surroundings, the latter a measured journey to explore and enjoy nature. Though the heart of the original DesertX beats beneath its red and black livery, the Discovery provides creature comforts,…
BMW GS Trophy 2024 Goes to Namibia
The eighth running of the BMW International GS Trophy event takes place in Namibia this fall, with the riders aboard special R 1300 GS machines. BMW Motorrad is adding a host of extras to their R 1300 Style GS Trophy model, starting with the optional Enduro Package. The competitors will enjoy handguard extensions, handlebar risers,…
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: The ABCs of Overland Convoy Etiquette
Photography by Richard Giordano, Eglė Gerulaitytė, and Lila Shaw There’s a kid driving a Corolla at 120 kph, waving a note at me with the words “I love you” scrawled across the paper. Normally, I would be flattered at this declaration of affection, but the teen’s foot is jammed to the floor, sending his beat-up…
Crossing Continents :: Traversing the Cederberg Range to Cape Agulhas
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. – Marcus Aurelius With a crack of lightning, the lodestone is magnetized, becoming one of the most unusual and useful stones on earth, melding magnetic…
The Realities of Solo Motorcycle Travel with Chasing Crystal :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 195 Crystal Fong is currently traveling on her 1990 Honda Dominator NX250 through Europe and beyond. In this podcast from the field, Crystal and host Ashley Giordano touch on the ups and downs of solo travel, how Crystal has created a sense of community by playing badminton around the globe, and…
NEMO Dagger Osmo Lightweight 3P Tent :: Field Tested
After an undulating 14-kilometer hike with 35 pounds on my back, I opened the NEMO Dagger Osmo three-person tent for the very first time under the looming shadow of Mount Assiniboine—motivated by a relentless cloud of thirsty mosquitoes. Perhaps this wasn’t the smartest plan in the world, but it made for a perfect opportunity to…
Crossing Continents Episode Four – Tanzania :: Video
For Crossing Continents episode four, Scott Brady continues his journey up the East of Africa, reconnecting with the Grenadier in Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam. In part one of his Tanzanian adventures, Scott is joined by his girlfriend, Tavia, who embarks on her first international journey, learning to drive a right-hand-drive vehicle and navigate…
Lewie and the Rover on the Kemaliye Stone Road in Turkiye :: Video of the Week
Two travelers, their faithful dog, and an old Land Rover Defender, embark on an adventure along the legendary stone road in Turkiye. This journey marks a new chapter in their lives, having recently married and left their jobs to travel eastward, tackling the most challenging off-road tracks they can find. Turkiye’s most notorious and beautiful…
New AdventureTracker Class to Race in Sturgis
There’s a new race in town. The AdventureTracker class from American Flat Track (AFT) debuts at the inaugural Sturgis TT on August 11, 2024. AMA Pro Racing recently announced the governing rules for Adventure machines. Production-based bikes with minimal modifications will be screaming through Sturgis in this first of its kind race. Will Your Bike…
Global Adventures and Overland Journalism with Steve Edwards :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 194 Well, look who it is. Last month, I had the great privilege to chat with Overland Journal Podcast host Scott Brady at the Overland International headquarters in Arizona in the week running up to Overland Expo West. We covered a wide range of topics, including our overland origin stories, our…
Djibouti Days :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 193 Host Scott Brady returns with Overland Journal Archaeology Senior Editor Bryon Bass to wrap up the African leg of Scott’s journey with the Ineos Grenadier across Africa. In this episode, they cover all the harrowing details of getting stuck at the border for three days between Ethiopia and Djibouti, the…
The Meat Trail: A Pilgrimage Across the Americas
Meat is eaten all over the world. Inuits eat it raw, having little fuel to cook with. In Africa, large strips of beef are grilled straight on the coals with no grate. In the USA, indulging in hamburgers and steaks is practically an institution. My preference is to grill a well-marbled piece of beef over…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer
Feature Image Courtesy of The Journal of Lost Time AMERICAN NORTHWEST Northwest Overland Rally When: June 20-23, 2024 Where: Leavenworth, Washington The Northwest Overland Rally caters to keeners curious about anything from winching to photography, off-pavement driving skills, or seasoning your cast-iron pot. Join a wine-tasting, whiskey-sharing, or happy hour session before the evening’s lively…
Cross Country on E-Bike via 1903 Motorcycle Route
Riding cross-country on an electric bicycle sounds like quite an adventure, and it would be if you weren’t Jack Smith. After all, he’s done that trip numerous times. His first crossing was in 1976, on a skateboard and accompanied by two friends. “Wow”, you might say, until you hear that he did that three more…
A Family Adventure Around The World – Lessons Learned
Something changed inside of us when we had our first kid. In hindsight, they were those typical feelings that come with becoming new parents. Excitement, trepidation, fear, joy, hope, and every other emotion you knew was there but didn’t know could arrive all at once. People said after having a baby we are going to…
Ten Overlanding Game Changers :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 192 Matt and Scott are back together broadcasting from the Overland Journal World Headquarters in Arizona, and in this episode of the pod, they’re tackling the top ten game-changers for modern overlanders. From lithium batteries to satellite communications to vans, they break down the most significant advances in tech, gear, and…
Travel Safe in Baja and Beyond
By now, you have likely read about the most recent Baja tragedy involving two Australian brothers and their American friend who were found murdered just outside of Ensenada on a surf trip. The incident is deeply troubling, and our hearts go out to their families; we hope you will soon find solace in these difficult…