AMERICAN WEST Backcountry Offroad Expo When: June 13–14, 2026 | Where: Castle Rock, Colorado “A weekend built for the people who live outside, however they do it” is the motto of the Backcountry Offroad Expo. Attendees will find a variety of adventure vehicles, educational talks, and outdoor gear from over 100 exhibitors, along with community…
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Category Archives: Skills and Training
Graeme Esarey on Expedition Sailing
On this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, Scott Brady and Brian McVickers interview Graham Esarey about his expedition sailing life, focusing on his team’s 2024 Northwest Passage crossing aboard the Dog Bark, a converted 60-foot Open 60. Graham detailed navigating heavy Arctic ice, spotting polar bears, and receiving a rare icebreaker escort that turned…
Defender Trophy 2026: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Adventure as brand strategy. Is Land Rover merely selling a vehicle, or is it rebuilding the mythology of the Defender for a new generation? At its core, the Defender Trophy is a global, multi-stage adventure competition designed to reinforce the Defender’s identity—not just as a machine, but as a cultural icon rooted in decades of…
Jaguar Land Rover Recalls over 170,000 US Vehicles Following Drive Power Loss Risk
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a significant recall affecting more than 170,000 vehicles in the United States, following concerns over a defect that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. The recall, disclosed on April 23, 2026, was reported by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and represents one of…
Overland Conservation: Tundra
Photography by Coen Wubbels We are called by the wild, the spaces where we can turn 360 degrees without seeing another human, paved road, electric wire, or crop field. At times, though, we misunderstand history while we crave for calm. We begrudge other humans intruding onto land that used to be “undiscovered.” But this is…
BMW 1150 GS Adventure :: Publisher’s Project
It was sometime around 2000 when I walked into the REI store in Phoenix, Arizona, to buy a kayak. What was parked under the entry awning stopped me in my tracks: a bright yellow BMW GS resting on its sidestand, a chunky, knobby tire sticking out onto the sidewalk. I had never seen a big…
Speak Fluent Machine: Preventing and Dealing With a Breakdown
Our friends Chris and Erin Ratay have been traveling for decades. They hold a Guinness World Record for the longest motorcycle journey as a team and, a few years ago, bought a Defender in South Africa and drove it to Europe. Chris has a no-nonsense approach to dealing with vehicle maintenance and breakdowns, and he…
Overland Events and Rallies You Don’t Want to Miss This Spring (2026)
AMERICAN WEST Desert Adventure Rally When: April 7-12, 2026 | Where: Bisbee, Arizona Combining scenic backcountry riding, evening entertainment, and catered meals with Southern Arizona’s striking landscapes and scenery, the Desert Adventure Rally is a week of ADV fun. Curated GPS tracks will be given for self-guided day rides fueled by Morning Bivouac coffee, while…
Zenith Irfan on Being the First Pakistani Female Motorcyclist to Ride Across Pakistan
Join Overland Journal Podcast host Ashley Giordano as she sits down with Zenith Irfan to discuss the importance of being the first female Pakistani motorcyclist to ride across Pakistan, and how her father’s dream led her to embark on the journey on a 70cc Honda. Zenith also dives into her top tips for visiting the country, including…
Photography 101: Turn Your Landscapes Into Dreamscapes
My headlamp cut the pre-dawn gloom, illuminating the lowland marsh as I hopscotched from grass tuft to grass tuft, avoiding an ankle-soaking plunge along the shoulder of the Río Serrano. It was 4:00 a.m., and the March autumn sun still slumbered behind the Andes. I found the opening to the riverbank I’d scouted the night…
Overland Conservation: Grasslands
Photography by Akela World The Silk Road holds mythical status among historical overland routes. When today’s travelers stalk the shadow of Marco Polo, the respect they earn is not only for their accomplishment but partially because of our awe surrounding the Silk Routes’ history dating back to 130 BCE during China’s Han Dynasty. Yet this…
Year Two of The Big Thing Is On!
After a massively successful inaugural year in 2025, Overland Collective’s The Big Thing is back at the XOverland Ranch for a second go. Situated on 500 acres in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, this community-focused event will again feature world-class trainers providing hands-on instruction in areas like expedition prep, recovery, overland cookery, and out on the test…
Trinitē Road Rally Announces Inaugural 2026 Event in Northern California, Concluding at Sonoma Raceway
The Trinitē Road Rally has announced plans for its inaugural event, scheduled to take place from May 4 through May 7, 2026, in the Golden Gate and Northern California regions, culminating at Sonoma Raceway. The rally’s organizers are associated with the team behind Rebelle Rally, and describe the event as a motorsport experience designed to…
Overland Conservation: Deserts
Photography by Akela World Conditioned from childhood to view the desert as a place where rain doesn’t fall, things don’t grow, and life can’t thrive, we can be surprised by what we encounter when we go. Camped off a remote trail system in the region outside Phoenix, Arizona, just before the first day of spring,…
onX Offroad Opens Applications for 2026 Nationwide Trail Revival Projects
Last year, I bought my first electric chainsaw while exploring the Chippewa National Forest after the area had been battered by summer tornadoes. It felt good to do my part to help clear and maintain public lands—not only for my own use and enjoyment, but more importantly for the benefit of others. While cutting fallen…
Overland Conservation: Beaches and Oceans
Photography by Leander Nardin/Akela World Am I the only one who has willed my eyes to stop blinking when confronted by a vibrant sunset at the beach? I can’t bear to miss a moment. Salt particles suspended in the air cause shorter wavelengths of light, like violet and blue, to scatter. As a result, showy…
Adventure Motorcycling 101: In-Depth Training with Bill Dragoo
In this episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, join us from Norman, Oklahoma, with special guest Bill Dragoo in his vintage-and-modern-motorcycle-filled shop. We dive into the foundational skills and training necessary for adventure motorcycling, discussing bike selection, safety equipment, rider preparation, and more. Learn about the importance of bike ergonomics, body positioning, and the critical…
Do It for the Kids Gift Guide
Every year, non-overlander children open their presents under the tree to find gifts that are, for the most part, useless for the rest of the year. Overlander kids are different—they live lives of exploration and deserve gifts that help fill a year with fun and adventure. I don’t remember 99 percent of the gifts I…
Overland Conservation: Forests
Photography by Leander Nardin Looking back on a decade of full-time, vehicle-based travel, my most beloved nights camping in the United States have taken place beneath a forest canopy. With limited exceptions, public forest land is open for overland exploration. National forests contain maintained trail networks, established campgrounds, and vast dispersed camping opportunities. Access to…
Vehicle-Based Self-Reliance :: Your EDC on Wheels
Overland Journal defines overlanding as “vehicle-supported, self-reliant adventure travel, typically exploring remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal”. I believe we can take the same aspects of self-reliance that define overlanding and apply them to our daily lives. The idea that you need to have an overbuilt titan of the trails and be…