Overland Bound

Corrie and I had the opportunity to catch up with friend and Bronco heritage expert Robert Parker to discuss the history of Bronco and the explosive return in 2020. We hope you enjoy!

What is overlanding? Let's cover this topic. Its an important topic. We want to encourage everyone to connect with nature and find their type of adventure!

 

For more of our founding principles, check out: Founding Principles

We are kind because its the right thing to do. We are also kind because our life might depend on it.

Rooftop vs Ground Tents! What is the option best for you? I have opinions!

Why are we building the first overland community platform? Tune in to hear more about our efforts and join the Alpha Test Group to be the first to try it!

Register for the Alpha Program!

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You might think I have this whole packing and overlanding thing figured out - well, sometimes things do not go as planned. It happens to all of us!

See you on the trail!

Michael

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By Michael Murguia

Looking into buying your first overland rig? Congrats! You're in for a wild and rewarding ride. Building your dream vehicle for wherever adventure takes you can be a long process full of research, planning, budgeting and creative problem solving. There are a wide range of vehicle upgrade/modification options available and it can quickly become daunting... and expensive. 

So, what upgrades and costs are required, and what are the optional 'nice to haves' for your overland build?  What about repairs and ongoing maintenance? If you add it all up, what is the true cost of ownership/yearly cost of an overland truck?

The FZJ80 on one of its first trips in April 2011

The FZJ80 after many trips and 140K+ miles in September 2019

In this podcast, I sat down and figured out my costs on my 1996 FZJ80 since I purchased it in 2010 to figure out how much I spent over the past 9 years upgrading and maintaining OB 0000. I also get very direct about what I think is required, and what is not. 

Because this topic is one of the most searched in the Overland Bound Forums, we even did a YouTube video on the topic. Check it out here!

What do you think? What are your requirements? Let me know in the comments. I hope this is useful and helps put you on the right path for adventure. 

See you on the trail!

Overland Bound is a global network of 20K+ overlanders. Consider joining our crew!

LEARN MORE

We all need downtime. Adventure is necessary and sometimes we need a reminder! Just three days can make a huge difference.

Member Questions Q&A

PLAY BUTTON BELOW!

I had the chance to sit down with @Kent R to answer Overland Bound Member questions while helping Clovis Independent 4Wheelers do trail maintenance and cleanup in Sierra National Forest. We touch on many topics including getting started, member communication, training programs, rally point, safety, and some exciting things coming up in the future!

It was a lot of fun and we'll be doing this again in the future.

 

Michael

Kent R

Overland Bound West

Regional Ambassador

Trail Access and Land Use - Join the Conversation

As the popularity of overlanding and vehicle dependent exploration has grown, so has the discussion around land use. More and more people are turning to the great outdoors to seek solace and balance from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. With our population growing quickly, proper land use is paramount to healthy and sustainable recreation in our lands and waterways.   

We sat down with Todd Ockert (President) and Del Albright (Executive Director) from Blue Ribbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org to discuss land use and land access.

Todd Ockurt

Blue Ribbon Coalition Sharetrails.org

President

Del Albright

Blue Ribbon Coalition Sharetrails.org

Executive Director

Listen to the Podcast in its entirety below!

As Del explains, BRC/Sharetrails.org has been working for 30+ years both regionally and nationally to help “preserve our resources and public lands for the public. Not from the public...That’s really part of our (BRC/ST) culture is to explore, have the adventure, share the land - there’s places where we don’t belong, places that we do belong. That’s part of our mission and vision.”

And Todd is quick to point out the simple reason for becoming involved. Fun. “We want to make sure we have good forests and good public lands that are maintained so that they are sustainable… It’s responsible use of our public lands so that we can continue to recreate and go have fun.”

What does someone who’s new to overlanding and exploring in the US need to know?

Del sums it up easily. “Be Responsible. Setting the example. Carrying a trash bag. Volunteer for a club project. Writing a letter... ‘Land use’ is a package of persevering the adventure, the steps that we take to keep that adventure alive… It’s complicated and there’s a lot to it, but in reality it is that simple.”

Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation:

Have the right gear. “Anybody who doesn’t have a trash bag hanging on the back of their rig or accessible isn’t doing their part. Do you have to fill it up every time? No...but carry a trash bag.”

Get involved. “Overland Bound is just a start. Get online and learn more about the clubs and organizations in your area and contribute… If I can donate, fine, but if I can give a day of my time? That is the value right there.” There are problems that can’t be fixed with money.

Contribute. Consider setting $100 year aside to state and national organization memberships. In addition to the national reach of Blue Ribbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org, Del mentions CAL4WHEEL and/or CORVA as examples local to California.

Del has an acronym he came up with to make it easy remember:

JAIL - How to keep our public lands out of jail and what can the individual do:

Join

This is the most important action to take according to Del. You can join “nationally with BRC or if you want to start locally, whatever, start somewhere and join. Whatever makes sense. State. Regional. National. Local. Find the ones that make sense and throw some joining money their direction.”

Advocate

“Talk it up. When you’re talking to someone, share your passion. Why do you love exploring? What makes you so excited about driving around in the backwoods?”

Include

“If you ever get the chance to take a politician or someone that wants to learn more, give them a seat. Include them so they understand us.” Del definitely walks this talk.

Letters

“Write those letters when asked.” Most importantly, stay informed and active. When a post goes up asking for support, follow through and contribute.