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…
California-North BDR Film Goes Public
The CABDR-North (aka NorCal) BDR film, now available on YouTube, provides an end-to-end overview of the 13th BDR route created by Backcountry Discovery Routes. Like previous BDR films, this one gets down and dirty while also highlighting amazing scenery and seductive backroads. It also delves into the history and struggles of early settlers and shows…
Minimalist Wallets :: Best of Breed
Good times—at least of the sort we’re after—come with a downside. The hard truth behind adventure is that you can’t safely peace out beyond the confines of cell service with nothing but a sandwich in one hand and your car keys in the other. For those of us desperate for even a brief escape from…
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…
Field Tested :: Dainese Riding Gear and AGV AX9 Helmet
Dainese has a well-deserved reputation for quality motorcycle apparel for all types of riding. I’ve seen the results of a friend sliding down the freeway at 60 mph in a Dainese jacket. Though shredded, the jacket didn’t wear through and the rider was unscathed. This review examines three Dainese garments and an AGV helmet (AGV…
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…
Flextail Tiny Repel :: Field Tested
Photography by Jason Spafford Outdoor endeavors should be about embracing nature, not battling mosquitoes. Enter the Tiny Repel. Designed by the Shenzhen-based company Flextail—increasingly known for their multifunctional outdoor gear since 2015—this compact device serves as a mosquito repellent, light, and power bank. Using DualRepel technology quickly creates a 30-foot mosquito-free zone (including horseflies), with…
Overland Expo West 2024 :: More Gear
There are some subtle shifts happening at Overland Expo. With new owners since the middle of last year (Emerald Expositions, purveyors of huge industry events like Outdoor Retailer), the purpose and scope of the four yearly Expos are slowly moving. This was inevitable, given the sheer scale of Overland Expo now (especially the Flagstaff event)….
Overland News of the Week
Hilleberg Introduces Two New Tent Models for Spring 2024 In this week’s Overland News of the Week, we’re excited to hear that Hilleberg, the well-respected, premium Swedish tent maker, is expanding its range with the Saivo 4 and the Rogen 3. The Saivo 4, part of the all-season Black Label series, is a robust 4-person…
Top Gear Overland Expo West 2024
With every year that passes and the overland lifestyle grows in popularity, it becomes increasingly challenging to find innovative products that are practical and worthy of investment. A few years ago, we proudly discovered the Poolahoop, which we initially mocked and later praised. Was the Poolahoop the zenith of modern American overland innovation? No, it was not. Instead of…
Overland Expo West 2024 :: Top Rigs
The 2024 edition of Overland Expo West was a blustery and wind-blown affair, in stark contrast to last year’s event which suffered one deluge after the other and was mired in mud for much of the weekend. Such is the variability of the weather in Arizona’s high country. But uncertainty from the skies does not…
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…
The Principles of Overlanding :: Insights on Exploring the World by Vehicle
Lessons are often learned the hard way, which, in my case, includes screwing up, getting stuck, carjacked, impounded, detained, delayed, and generally mired in the throes of adventure. Even the worst scenarios had a silver lining (maybe not the carjacking) as my awareness grew, and I adjusted my traveling operating system. During my travels, I…
The Noobs Rally 2024: Uniting at the Ultimate Adventure for Rookie Riders
Images: Finn Joseph, Jason Spafford, and Joel Paez Venturing into the heart of Death Valley’s Panamint Springs, the beginner-friendly Noobs Rally from March 20 to 24 welcomed a diverse crowd of dual-sport, dirt-riding, and adventure enthusiasts for fun-forging camaraderie and skill-building. Hosted annually by Joel Paez (NSFW), the community gathering marked its 17th year in “denoobing less…
Yamaha Volunteers Protect Public Lands
Yamaha takes seriously their responsibility to inform all motorized recreational vehicle (MRV) users of where they are welcome to ride, and where they aren’t. In doing so, they partner with non-profit organizations to prevent and mitigate damage to public lands. The company’s goal is to keep those lands accessible. Yamaha Heads to the Hills Yamaha’s…
Overland News of the Week
Storyteller Overland Acquires Taxa Outdoors In this week’s overland news, adventure lifestyle and adventure van manufacturer Storyteller Overland has acquired camping habitat and overlanding utility trailer brand Taxa Outdoors. Entrepreneur and former Global Brand President for Harley-Davidson Neil Grimmer will serve as the chief strategy officer of Storyteller Overland and CEO at Taxa. “With the…
Visit the Expedition Portal and Overland Journal Team at Overland Expo West 2024
Overland Expo certainly has come a long way since the event’s humble beginnings, with events hosted nationally, namely Overland Expo West, Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and East. Overland Expo West is closest to home for most of the nomadic Overland International (Expedition Portal and Overland Journal) team, and we have a soft spot for the…
Honda NX650 Build, Italian Style
The Honda NX650 Dominator found a lukewarm reception in the U.S. and was discontinued here after just two years. Perhaps we just didn’t understand the appeal of the streety dual-sport. Across the pond the NX lasted 13 years and was deemed a sturdy machine for commuting and the occasional foray on country roads. Its reasonable…
Honda Reshuffles Its Adventure Lineup with the NX500
Honda is shaking up its adventure bike line with the introduction of the NX500—a mild update and rebrand for the long-standing CB500X. A promised reduction in weight, as well as claimed improvements to the chassis, suspension, engine, and electronics, should contribute to an improved on- and off-road package for the middle-weight moto. The NX500 is…