Overland Expo 2018 EAST: The World's Premier Overlanding Event

Overland Expo is the premier overlanding event in the world – no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts, alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together, in one place, all the camping, vehicle, and motorcycle equipment, and services you need to get outfitted and get going, whether it’s 100 miles from home or 10,000 miles.

Roseann & Jonathan Hanson, longtime global travelers and writers, founded Overland Expo in 2009 to help inspire folks to get out and start exploring. The Expo also provides expert instruction in driving and riding, and brings together North America’s largest professional trade show for overlanders.

As adventure motorcycling has grown over the years, so too have the offerings from the Overland Expo pertaining to adventure motorcyclists. Each year Overland Expo has added more motorcycle specific vendors and training classes to help serve this growing market.

This year’s Overland Expo East event takes place November 9-11 at REEB Ranch, an outdoor haven located eight miles from Oskar Blues Brewery Brevard, just south of Asheville, NC. Set against the beautiful backdrop of DuPont State Forest with rolling green hills, stunning blue mountains, and babbling streams that cut through the property, REEB Ranch is an ideal location for Overland Expo East.

There are three ways to attend, and all tickets require online registration ahead of time. Choose from an all-inclusive education package, which includes happy hours and a Sunday dinner— the Overland Experience – or, if you just want to check out vendors, view films, seminars, and demos, interested parties can purchase a Weekend Pass with Camping or individual Day Passes. Be aware, all tickets must be purchased in advance online, and Day Pass attendees must park at Oskar Blues Brewery and take the shuttles to the event.

The event’s Motorcycle Village is where attendees can see the latest apparel, luggage, accessories, and technologies, while also having the chance to learn from the best with live demos, training, and seminars.

Overland Expo 2018 has taken an in-house approach to its adventure motorcycle training with the Dragoo Adventure Rider Training (DART) team. The DART team is led by Bill Dragoo, a certified BMW off-road instructor, certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider coach, a member of the U.S. 2010 BMW GS Trophy team, and moto-journalist. Bill leads a team of coaches who engage and encourage riders in learning the finer points of managing a dual-sport or adventure motorcycle through challenging terrain, from basic to advanced levels.

As we have mentioned previously here at MO, the advantages of rider training on one’s riding ability vastly overshadows any performance gain from spending thousands of dollars on farkling your adventure or dual-sport motorcycle. This is not to say protecting your investment isn’t important, but participating in expert training courses will help you ride more efficiently, faster, and most importantly, safer.

Can’t make it out to Overland Expo 2018? Though the west event has already taken place this past May in Flagstaff, Arizona, 2019’s Overland Expo West is slated for May 17-19 at the same venue. Mark your calendars, register early (both shows sell out) and embrace your inner wanderlust. The Overland Expos East or West are not events any adventure enthusiast would want to miss.