Overland Expo 2013
 

Who else is going to Overland Expo 2013, in Mormon Lake, AZ?

http://www.overlandexpo.com/

I'm excited to go. I've never been to an event like this before, and I hear it's a blast. I'm going with a buddy and I'll be bringing my 13 y/o daughter along with me. I'd also love to hear thoughts or suggestions from people who have attended in previous years.

I'm there every year - not sure if I'm working this year or not.

Are you going in on day passes, or are you taking any of the classes?

If you're doing the classes, the one bit of advice I'd give is to *not* overload your schedule. You'll be burned out by the end of the event, & will be scrambling to see things that you haven't been able to. Seriously - we see it every year. Give yourself time (every day) to relax, visit the vendors, and see some of the film festival (Austin Vince does a great job).

Also leave time to hang out and BS with people that you'll run across.

Advice
 

You will need to plan for the extremes of Az hi-country expect day tine highs mid to hi 90s and nite time lows in the 30s.

That means daytime, Carmex lip balm, spf sun block, shorts t-shirts & hydrate,hydrate,hydrate ( its a dry heat),as soon as the sun

goes behind the mountain temps drop fast, Last year it got down into the low 30s with hi winds, so jeans sweaters & jackets are

also on the list.

Like it said before lots to see & do from ridding the hi desert of Coconino National Forest to spending time with and talking to

RTW adventure riders & travelers. Come prepared and expect to be amazed, you'll have a good time

Thanks for the advice Gents! Goodtimes, I'm getting the whole package deal because I'd like to do some of the motorcycle workshops (never had any type of off-road training). But at the same time, since I'm going with my daughter, I don't want her to be standing around twiddling her thumbs for several days. So I'm going to limit the amount of time I'm doing the riding workshops.

Belstaff, thanks for the weather head's up. I always prepare for huge weather extremes on any trip I go on, but I'll make sure my daughter is prepared as well. The low nightime temps gives me an idea of the type of sleeping gear we'll need to bring.

Fun for the daughter
 

I doubt you daughter will have time to get to bored as there are kids clinics put on by kids that travel w/rtw parents
that includes both bike and overlanders.

The rawhyde classes are cool & there is plenty of room to practice what you learn , watching the CAMEL TROPHY TEAM do their stuff is fun.

The overlander section has everything from tents to one million dollar 4x4's and you'll get to see about all of BMW 's motorcycle production for the last five years.:lol3 in one place

I'm going!!
 

I'm honoured to be invited back again this year to give some talks and classes. It's one of the best travellers' events in the world. I had a fantastic time last year- everyone was so friendly and there's quite a lively atmosphere.
Many of the ADV RR authors are regulars and it's a bit of a grand reunion for us all.
Some fantastic riding on all the dirt tracks in northern Arizona and a lot to see and do at the Expo itself.

Come over and say hello to me- maybe we could all have a mini-ADV meet in the pub one evening?

see you all there

I'll probably be able to make it this year. Likely take the Quigley though :D.

I would advise that you be somewhat prepared on the food/water side of things. In my mind, given the large size of the event, there was a rather surprising shortage of food and beverage outlets. That's not to say there aren't any facilities: there was a grill under the bleacher seats and a restaurant/store on main street. However, both have limited hours and if you're tenting and just need a bottle of water for instance, you have a LONG walk to get to said store. There wasn't a single food cart in the vendor area to even grab a bottle of water. This year if I go I'll make sure I'm stocked up on bottled water and food in reserve beforehand in case I get caught out in my tent and hungry after the late night film ends.

Speaking of which....in my opinion - after going to the Expo quite a few times - the Film Festival portion is the main reason I go now; it alone is well worth the price of admission. The introductions to each by witty Austin Vince are awesome also; never afraid to give his opinions, Austin.

http://www.overlandexpo.com/storage/...lmFestival.pdf

And yes - it was COLD the first night!

Food was definitely an issue last year. Lets just say that there were some unexpected *challenges* in that area - things that you go :huh.

I know Roseann (the brains behind the whole event) was working on that specific issue, but I haven't heard if a solution was reached or not.

No problem
 

Rest assured if there is a issue that needs to be addressed, Roseann will see that is a non-issue straight away.

You would have thought all those "overlanders" would have been a little more self sufficient.
Off to polish my sand ladders.

Well, I'm sure you were indeed polishing something when you were by yourself and posted that helpful comment.

Looks fun

Expo
 

I will be heading up to the expo on the 17th. I will be camping out, riding, and drinking beer. It would be great to meet up with some of you FFs!
:freaky

Beer is for women. Bring some tequila up and we can make it a party.

Matt