Things have changed quite a bit in the Overland world since…
The 2009 edition was held at the Yavapai Fairgrounds in Prescott Valley
Creme de la Creme
Overlanders are a unique bunch of people. They want it all, especially when they’re our traveling for extended periods of time with a partner….
Spotted: FJ62/FZJ80 Mash-up by TLC
Via West County Explorers Club: Jonathan Ward, of TLC and Icon fame, shows off what he calls a “142,” basically an FJ62 on an 80-series chassis. This truck was built through TLC, his Land Cruiser restoration shop in Southern California.
As you can imagine, this was an extensive rebuild. Even the engine was replaced with a GM Vortec unit. They went through the truck inside and out and everything looks to be first class.
VOTD: Dubai Desert Ride on a KTM
via West County Explorers Club: This beautifully shot video takes you off-road through the desert near Dubai on a KTM 525. A Honda XR650R rides alongside.
Well done, guys!
They’re Cutting State Parks – Defend What’s Yours
We typically don’t mix with politics – but this is too important.
Please visit this site before it’s too late.
https://www.calparks.org/defend/
How To: Reseat a Tire Bead on a 4WD
Reseating a bead can be more than difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing. Gain some valuable information here before you have to perform in the field.
VOTD: In Asia, Episode 4: Cambodia
In mid-December I wrote about Vincent Urban and Clemens Krüger’s on-going Vimeo series, In Asia, the first three parts of which had already been posted. The series documents the sites seen by the two filmmakers and a friend as they traveled on a two-month journey in a Land Rover Defender through Southeast Asia in the Fall of 2010. I’m happy to report that Part 4 has just been released. It covers mostly Cambodia.
Clink the vimeo link in the video for Vincent’s notes and descriptions. Enjoy.
To find the others in the series, see the links below:
VOTD: Riding a Tandem Bicycle Through the Egypt Revolution
Another exceptional entry from our on-going video contest. In the Middle of the Egyptian revolution Dominic takes his tandem to Tahrir Square and invites Egyptians to join him on a 2600 mile adventure around the entire country.
VOTD: Barstow to Vegas Dual-Sport Ride
via West County Explorers Club: The 2011 AMA District 37 Barstow to Vegas Dual-Sport event took place at the end of last month. Here’s a nicely documented and narrated recap of the 2009 event.
The two-part video is about an hour long and is a little slow to get going but there’s some great footage of guys on BMW R1200GS and F800GS bikes working their way through sandy, rocky canyons, dry river sand washes, and some fantastic flat-out desert riding, including the use of a roll chart for navigation.
Part 2, around 14:45 even shows a guy jumping his big GS over berm.
Here’s Part 2: https://youtu.be/qvgqL0-b83U.
And here’s a link to the event, in case you’d like to take part next year: https://www.labarstowvegas.com.
VOTD: VW Beetle, Antarctic Overlander
via West County Explorers Club: What vehicle did the overland-savvy Australians take with them on a year-long research expedition to Antarctica in 1963? A Land Rover? A Toyota Land Cruiser? No, they took a practically bone-stock VW Beetle.
It looks almost comically unassuming next to the hard-core Swedish Snow Trac seen in the background of one of the shots in the film but the humble Beetle reportedly held its own against the harsh, icy terrain.
There you go, the Type 1 Beetle. The most popular car in the world and the first production car on the Antarctic continent.
VOTD: In Asia
Via West County Explorers Club: My friend Greg just sent me a link to this outstanding travel video by Munich-based freelance filmmaker, Vincent Urban and Clemens Krüger. Part 1 of a five-part series, it shows three friends traveling through southeast Asia in a Land Rover Defender 110. There is hardly any narration, hardly any dialogue. Moments of the trip are just strung together like memories. It’s beautifully shot and edited and gets to the heart of why we all travel.
The first three in the series are already on Vimeo. See Part 2 here and Part 3 here.
Thanks for the tip, Greg!
Video of the Day: Off-road Ukraine
via West County Explorers Club: Here’s a recent Vimeo find documenting what appears to be a group of Czechs on a 2008 off-road expedition in the Ukraine. It looks like they had a great trip. And I like the video.
Just be careful about driving over those winch cables guys. Oh, and Smokey the Bear says to clear a five-foot-radius ring around that campfire but other than that, nice one…
Video of the Day: How a Differential Works
West County Explorers Club: Do you ever wonder how exactly a differential works? We all have a rough idea, but for a well-explained breakdown of the concepts, check out this instructional film from the 1930s. I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a clearer explanation.
Auspit: An Interview with Jon Sattler
Auspit is an Australian made portable rotisserie that is lightweight and packable. With several configurations the Auspit provides a unique cooking solution for an overland camp or for your back yard!
Columbia Overland: An Interview with Larry Grubbs
Columbia Overland: An interview with Larry Grubbs
Columbia Overland is a premium vehicle outfitter located in the Pacific Northwest that specializes in Land Rover service and modifications for all popular overland platforms. Their reputation has been built by producing high-quality skid plates, suspension components and interior panels for Rovers, but that ingenuity has extended to the Toyota Tacoma as well with their new dual-battery tray. Their line of products extend from campaign furniture to satellite phones.
We spent some time with Larry Grubbs, one of the company principles talking about their product offerings and design/testing philosophy.
Website: www.columbiaoverland.com
Interview with Alan Feld of Sportsmobile West
Sportsmobile is celebrating their 50 year anniversary and we caught up with President, Alan Feld at the Washington Overland Rally to talk a little about their history and newest offerings.
Get Ready for Black Dog Cycleworks’ Selkirks Adventure Rally!
August 12 – 14, 2011 in Sandpoint Idaho, Black Dog Cycleworks will host its annual Selkirks Rally at Black Dog Headquarters!
Attendance is limited to 50 people who will enjoy camping beside the Upper Pack River and spending their days riding some amazing road and dual sport routs while exploring incredible scenery and end their days with good friends, starry skies, campfires and a pig roast!
Visit www.blackdogcw.com/IdahoRally2011.html to register and www.blackdogcw.com/index.html to get geared up!
Climbing Ben Nevis in 1976
One of our forum members brought up this video – talk about a great a mix of classic motorcycle and epic climbing of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in U.K.
We are still trying to identify the cool caferacer in this video….Triumph?
This is what driving in San Francisco looked like 105 years ago
It seems like mounting a GoPro camera on your helmet is not such a new concept…read more comments here on the forum.
A Little Fun with the 2011 Jeep Compass
Jeep always brings an interesting bunch of trucks for us to test each year at Easter Jeep Safari.