This is the first in a series of interviews with seasoned bikepackers from all over the world. Pepper Cook is a Salsa Cycles rider, EMT (emergency medical technician), founder of the Worldwide Spoon Exchange, and all-round legend based in Alaska. I’ve been fortunate to spend time with her in Iceland and lucky enough to call her a friend. She’s a…

With Father’s Day approaching, I’m reminded of the one and only long-day ride my dad and I did together in 2014. I was on a BMW G 650 GS while Dad rode a Harley Davidson Classic. Neither of us cared about the oddity of being on two very different bikes. Although this late September day on the Moki Dugway was…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #48 Discussing the Grenadier with Greg Clark, VP of Ineos Automotive Summary: Scott Brady and Matt Scott discuss the merits of the new Grenadier, acknowledging the strengths of the platform for global travel, and the positive influence of Ineos CEO (and adventurer) Sir Radcliffe on the design. We also include audio of our interview…

Have you ever wondered why planning for and embarking on a modern, maiden, extended overland journey is so stressful? Well, prolific overland travelers (myself included) are partly to blame as we tend to focus more on the adventure than ease of travel, which creates a false impression. Let me explain. I, and many of the travelers I know and follow,…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #47 Interviewing Eva Rupert, Adventurer, Survivalist, and Overlander Summary: Scott Brady interviews accomplished adventurer Eva Rupert; motorcyclist, survival expert, Overland Expo staff member, and star of Naked and Afraid. This podcast is supported in part by: GCI Outdoor RedArc Guest bio: You might know her from three seasons of Discovery Channel’s Naked & Afraid…

“The Arctic Circle during wintertime…hah…you know there’s a reason why they call them a MOTfalia*. I wouldn’t drive that to the shops, let alone to Lofoten in January.” – a fellow Vanagon owner on Facebook, offering words of encouragement. *MOT in the UK stands for “Ministry of Transport” and is a compulsory annual inspection to check whether a vehicle is…

If you’re someone who enjoys venturing into the backcountry, then your safety should be a primary consideration, and the ability to share your location and alert emergency services in the event of an accident is crucial. In the past, I’ve been a fan of SPOT Satellite Communication Devices (generally alongside a second “burner” mobile phone, and at sea, a Marine…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #46 Interview with Maggie McDermut, Land Cruiser owner and adventurer Summary: Scott Brady interviews Maggie McDermut about her thoughts on outdoor stewardship, the importance of overland training, and the value of solo travel. Maggie also shares numerous insights on traveling in Alaska, vehicle preparation for her BJ70 Land Cruiser, and lessons learned as a…

My family has been on the road for a long time now, almost a quarter of our adult lives and the majority of our children’s lives, through thick and thin. There has been an abundance of spectacular thick and inexplicably regular suffering of thin. You soon realize as you travel to foreign continents far, far from any home that you…

Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) are one of the best ways to adventure-road trip around the U.S. And what better way to celebrate Motorcycle Awareness month and National Road Trip day (May 28) than with the 10-year anniversary of BDR—an organization that literally defined the phrase “adventure riding.” What is BDR? Using double-track, forest service, and fire roads, the BDRs travel…

Words by Lisa Morris, photography by Lisa Morris and Jason Spafford   You’ve got the basics of composition under your belt, and with a good skill base, you continue your love of photography as a fun and creative outlet. Who doesn’t love visiting places tucked away off the beaten track, brimming with photogenic shots? When we journey near or far,…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #45 Interview with Bryon Bass, Explorer, Archaeologist, Vintner, and Overlander Summary: Scott Brady interviews Bryon Bass for the second time, diving deeper into every day carry (EDC), keeping yourself out of trouble on the road, tools, and watches. We also explore Bryon’s passion for wine, watches, and Toyotas, including his 300,000 mile Tacoma and…

Words By Chris O’Neill, Photography by Greg Fitzgerald Here’s the thing about being in your favorite place in the world when it’s 5:00 a.m., 20°F, and there are 8 inches of snow on the ground—it’s still your favorite place in the world. For me, that place is the Colorado Plateau, and I was there with my friend Greg, who I’d…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #44 Interview with Amanda Winther and Matt Swartz on living remotely, taking to the winds, and doing good as they go. Summary: Scott Brady interviews Amanda and Matt about their three years living on the road, learning to pursue their creative professions, and doing more with less. They also share their newfound love of…

Not as a complete definition, but as an often-overlooked component, I’ve started describing overlanding as “intentional self-deprivation.” This is the part you rarely see on Instagram. Those who use the activity to escape the city and trials of work-life could probably care less. Even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, disappointing for sure, it’s all part of the adventure before returning…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #43 Interview with David Soza: polymath, engineer, and wanderer. Summary: Scott Brady discusses with David Soza the merits of light weight and minimalism, along with the essential design considerations for expedition campers. They also do a deep dive on critical Tacoma modifications for strength and durability. David shares his experiences living remote and off…

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can’t remember a time when our house was silent growing up, whether we were listening to Radio Caroline, the pirate radio station that inspired the film The Boat That Rocked, or my dad’s records. As a young kid, I was first drawn to the album art (something lost on…

Horizons Unlimited Mountain Madness (HUMM) Cascades 2021 Event Described as “the best 48 hours of my life” by one participant (who later had to apologize to his wife for saying that), Horizons Unlimted’s HUMM event is essentially a make-your-own-adventure, off-road scavenger hunt. Riders form teams of two or four and spend two days chasing tags through British Columbia’s Cascade Range. As…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #42 Interviewing Mauricio Escobar on Overlanding in Colombia Summary: For this field interview, Scott Brady interviews Micho Escobar of Elephant Expeditions about overland travel in Colombia, riding BMW GS through the jungles, and the journey we all take towards adventure.   This podcast is supported in part by: Red Oxx Luggage Host Bios:  Scott…

In October 2019, I flew from Norway to Málaga for a bikepacking adventure with my girlfriend, Amber, and my good friends Bart and Michalina (familiar to those who read my recent article Bikepacking Scotland). This was a very special ride at the time, but even more so when we returned. It would be Amber’s first extended adventure cycling trip and…