Giampiero’s Defender, on the desolate tracks of Xinjiang near Hami.   It was early September. After months of organizing, preparation, group calls, and visa applications, it was still an arresting moment to exit Mongolia and drive through the barriers at the Chinese border. To drive from Europe to China still seemed inconceivable, even though we were right in the middle…

Overlanding the world has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Initially, my dreams started out quite small and humble—biking through Europe. Then they morphed into motorbiking all across the USA. This dream, fed on a steady diet of Instagram feeds, blogs, and various magazines, grew to the point that I imagined my wife and…

Cirios plants, also known as boojum trees, provide fascinating roadside entertainment in Baja’s Valle de los Cirios protected area. Legend has it they inspired some of Dr. Seuss’ comical characters. Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2020 Issue.   “ Do you feel safe down there?” It’s the question we hear most often from fellow Americans…

It’s time I say goodbye to four dear old friends, my faithful BFGoodrich All-terrain K02s. I remember the day I brought the BFGs home—they were so pristine, with an advanced tyre footprint to evenly distribute stress, and crucially, that new tyre smell (just me!?). However, I was told by my doctor (tyre doctor) that years of hitting mixed terrains had taken…

I’m surprised by how rarely helmets are discussed in the cycling community when you consider they’re such a hot topic in the motorbike world. I remember doing my licence and the tutor talking us through some of the horrific motorcycle accidents that happen at low speeds and realising I was frequently going much faster on my pedal bike. The bottom…

Ötzi Adventure Gear Spark Flatpack Portable Grill Bringing the barbecue along on off-road adventures can present a bit of a dilemma if you have limited space. But with Otzi’s flatpack portable grill and 9- by 9-inch footprint (when packed flat), there’s no reason to leave it behind. The Spark is made of precision-cut pieces of steel that fit together like…

I remember six years ago when I initially began the hunt for a Volkswagen (Vanagon) T3 Syncro, a wise man once said, ‘he who seeketh a Syncro will always pay £15,000 ($20,000) regardless of initial purchase price’. As I gazed up from one knee in awe of the stoic, I finally understood. I may have paid less for mine, but…

Product Review—Garmin inReach Satellite Communication  First off, a disclaimer: my husband and I used Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication during a round-the-world motorcycle trip that lasted 708 days. DeLorme inReach (bought out by Garmin in 2016) gave us two Explorer devices—one we received on loan; the other we paid for at a 50-percent discount. The company also gave us a two-year…

Let’s start with a riddle: what’s invisible, arrived in 2020, caused global chaos, and begins with the letter ‘C’? Ah yes, Covid. It has been a rather strange episode here on Earth, and there aren’t many of us who’ve not been affected. It’s all too easy to curl up on the sofa, grab a tub of ice-cream, and watch series…

While the e-NV200 compact cargo van from Nissan has been around for a little while now, this new winter camper concept aims to demonstrate how adventurous individuals or couples might enjoy an emissions-free vanlife in the colder, snowier months. And while it’s a concept and not a production vehicle, it’s certainly interesting to see another major vehicle manufacturer testing consumer…

If you are looking for a four-wheel-drive cargo van that is ready to hit the road or to be upfitted with additional amenities for extended travel, then this 2018 Ford Transit T350HD with a Quigley conversion could be your dream platform. You may remember that I recently selected the Ford Transit as my editor’s pick for best campervan chassis of…

In today’s instalment, we’re going to look at 11 top tips for your first bikepacking ride and hopefully get you excited about your pedal-driven adventure. I want this series of articles to create a solid base for beginners but also offer experienced riders some useful considerations for their upcoming trips. As we continue to deep dive into the world of…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #35 Principles of Overlanding: Recovery Part 2 Summary: Principles of Overlanding: Vehicle Recover Part 2, where Scott Brady, Matt Scott, and Jim West continue their discussion about the critical equipment and techniques of recovery for the overland traveler. This Episode is Supported By: Danner Boots About Jim West: Jim is a retired Fire Fighter/Paramedic based…

The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is an event intended just for BMW GS bikes and is purposely set along the type of challenging terrain GSs are made for. The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy course happens every two years (since 2008) in spectacular host countries that allow for legal off-pavement travel. In the summer of 2022, it will be…

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2020 Issue.   As travelers, we embrace the serendipity and randomness of travel, the paper map unfurled on a dusty hood, each direction yielding a wonder. There are also times when we get two flats in one day and just really, really want to find a campsite. Planning and technology…

The Best Overland Trailers of 2020 I began considering the utility of an overland trailer while I was still traveling full-time in my RV, and here’s why. In the RV, I was frequently debating if I should leave the pavement, the lurking fear of needing to back down an off-camber dirt road ever present in the back of my mind….

Photos Courtesy of Two Travelling Aunties   It all started with a Swiss-plated Unimog parked on a dusty street corner in Borobudur, Indonesia. Susie Chua and Norah Soeb spotted the hefty home on wheels during a vacation back in 2018. “We had so many questions!” Norah exclaims. “Which countries did the vehicle need to cross to come all the way…

  Show Notes for Podcast Episode #34 Principles of Overlanding: Recovery Part 1 Summary: Principles of Overlanding: Vehicle Recover Part 1, where Scott Brady, Matt Scott, and Jim West discuss the critical terms and fundamentals of recovery for the overland traveler.   About Jim West: Jim is a retired Fire Fighter/Paramedic based out of Phoenix, AZ. He represented the USA…

UPDATE: check out the UBCO app. Whatever your opinion on electric vehicles, one category is taking off, and that’s the 2×2 UEV (Utility Electric Vehicle). These rugged, on- and off-road e-bikes are so popular that UBCO—a UEV founder—has been backordered for months. Although the bikes are hitting US dealers now, most have been preordered and are sold already. The idea…

Best Campervan of 2020 Best campervan of 2020: my head almost instantly began spinning when I tried to envision what my selection would be. Why the anxiety? Well, to begin with, there’s the challenge of distilling a huge amount of information into a digestible piece of writing for you, the reader. Campervan of the year needs to be succinct and…