Overlanding is a way to describe exploring by your own self-contained means, usually by 4-wheel drive vehicle or adventure motorcycle. It’s long been a traditional way to describe safaris in Africa or exploring in Australia.
For overlanders, the journey is as important as the destination. It’s the journey — and the activities that overlanders do when they get to their destination: hiking, nature watching, kayaking, mountain biking, etc. — that make it an adventure. It’s all about powering down your device, getting off-the-grid, and spending quality time with family, friends and with nature.
Overland Expo East is held October 8-10, 2021 at Oak Ridge Estates in Arrington, Virginia. Overland Expo is the premier overlanding and adventure travel event series in the world. The weekend event is designed to bring passionate adventurers together to get trained, get outfitted and get inspired to explore the world.
Overland Expo brings together the greatest collection of outdoor lifestyle, camping, and overland gear and equipment vendors East of the Mississippi. In 2019, the event hosted 200 vendors from all over the country.
Overland Expo hosts hundreds of session hours of classes, demonstrations, films and presentations all curated in an effort to teach and train attendees in outdoor and overland lifestyle and techniques and inspire them to get going on their next journey. Classes range from hands-on driving/riding skills and navigation to campfire cooking skills, nature photography, overlanding with kids, overlanding essentials classes and inspiring stories of world travels from travelers and adventurers from all over the world.
Attendees can stop by for the day or the entire weekend with a day-pass or a three-day pass and park on-site at Oak Ridge Estates. Day-pass attendees can participate in off-road ride along courses, check out 200+ vendors and also have access to demos, roundtables, slideshows and happy hour events (beverages available for purchase). Camping packages are also available.
Attendees who purchase the premier education package – Overland Experience – will have access to a special education track including hands-on driver and rider training by a team of off-road driving and riding experts from all over the world. Overland Experience attendees also receive weekend camping, a special goody bag, and access to Happy Hour events plus a special Welcome Reception.
We also have plenty of motorcycle activities. Whether you’re training for an international moto adventure or staying local and just want to come out and play in the dirt, we have something for everyone. Experience the exciting and challenging activities at our Motorcycle Expedition Skills Area and spend time with old and new friends in the Motorcycle Village. Stop by the following booths to sign up for a test ride — and bring your riding gear! Ride Harley-Davidson’s all-new adventure bike – the Pan America, demo the all new Yamaha Tenere 700 all weekend, and come see Ural, who is working to develop and refine the best adventure ready sidecar motorcycles. Also, demo the Triumph Tiger 900 and Scrambler 1200.
For more information, follow us @overlandexpo on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. To purchase tickets, visit www.overlandexpo.com/east.
All photos by Camden Littleton
