What does "Overland" even mean?
With our premiere bicycle event up at the end of August and the preparations beginning to ramp up, we wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on why we are called what we are and why we do this in the first place.
The simplest answer to the question above is opaque and paradoxical: many things by fewer ways.
The word “overland” originally came from the Land-Rover adventure scene from events like the Camel Trophy and round-the-world adventures like The First Overland Expedition. For many years it was a word strictly used to describe adventures by means of a motorized vehicle.
We’ll be the first to say that we have absolutely nothing against vehicles and the traditional meaning of the word. In fact, few people know that Vermont Overland’s very first incorporation as a business in Vermont was “Vermont Overland Guide Services LLC” founded by Peter Vollers and Jamil Abbasy. Our inception was created out of the love of the original meaning of the word “overland” and sharing it with others.
But over the past 10 years we’ve seen a shift. It has always been rooted in adventure but the vessel we’re choosing to experience it in has evolved over time. We’re proud to be a part of that shift and encourage others to find their own meaning: by land or water (preferably the frozen kind!). By foot, bike, skis, or car.
The only thing that matters is that you get outside and seek adventure by traversing a landscape. That is it and will always be it. That is what lights us up inside.
We’re excited to get this year's Overland Bike underway! Here’s all the latest news and updates:
New for 2024
The event sold out on January 1st, 2024, but in the hope of welcoming more women, we have reserved space for any woman who wants to participate. You can register here. If you missed registration and still want to ride, feel free to register for our waitlist as spots tend to move quickly.
If you’re new to gravel we created a FREE Gravel Start Up Course with Rachel Cohen.
We’re excited to welcome KO Ineos Grenadier into the fold! Be sure to check out these legendary Land-Rover Defender inspired overland machines out on course and in the vendor zone.
If you did the Overland Run this past spring this won’t be news for you, but we’re also excited to welcome THULE to the event! They add a lot of value to all things overland and family-friendly camping.
We NEED volunteers! Husbands who missed registration: this is a great opportunity to watch your significant other ride the event and be a huge support on the sidelines. You can sign up to volunteer here.
The course will be very similar to last year. We’ll be sending out race-specific emails to all registered riders soon.
Reflect with us on 10 Years of Vermont Overland
As always, thanks for being a part of this wild ride and see you soon.
– Ansel and the Vermont Overland team
The colors have changed over the years but our style has remained true. This is our original 6-panel Vermont Overland “dad hat”, completely redesigned and custom engineered for trail running. Light, breathable, stylish.
Designed by OVRLND.studio
The colors have changed over the years but our style has remained true. This is our original 6-panel Vermont Overland “dad hat” made of raw white cotton twill with an adjustable metal slider.