Once I heard of this e-book by Scott Brady, “Overlanding 101: A Area Information to Automobile-Primarily based Journey Journey,” I needed to test it out. My husband and I like street journeys, however we don’t have an journey automobile. We even love street journeys once we don’t drive. (Do not forget that time we took a six-day journey by Greyhound and Flixbus?)
Nonetheless, I figured there could be a factor or two to study from Brady, the CEO of Overland Worldwide, which publishes Overland Journal journal. He additionally has the Overland Journal Podcast and the web site ExpeditionPortal.com, which unites journey vacationers who discover by four-wheel drive and bike.
The e-book was revealed in Could 2025 by Adams Media – Simon & Schuster. I just lately obtained my arms on a duplicate. You realize that buddy who’s carried out every thing, has all of the gear dialed in, and one way or the other by no means comes off as a show-off? That’s Scott Brady in e-book kind.
What’s Overlanding?
“Overlanding 101” is what occurs when somebody who’s truly pushed throughout continents decides to write down down every thing they know, or every thing you would like you’d recognized earlier than your first journey. Brady explains the idea of overlanding, which is, primarily, self-reliant journey by automobile, driving to distant locations that require days or perhaps weeks price of provides, and touring to unexplored or undocumented areas.
“Overlanding has an undertone of each distance and time, permitting the journey to uncouple you from the day-to-day that can assist you change and develop,” he writes within the first part.
He offers you the true deal: sensible recommendation on turning no matter automobile you’ve got into one thing able to taking you removed from civilization with out leaving you stranded.
The most effective half? Brady assumes you’re good however inexperienced, not clueless. He explains why you’d select one kind of suspension over one other, not simply what to purchase. His explanations are clear and make sense, however nonetheless depart room so that you can select what works for you.
Key Takeaways
What actually makes this e-book work is how Brady balances the dream with the fact. Sure, overlanding is journey and freedom and jaw-dropping sunsets in locations most individuals won’t ever see. But it surely’s additionally flat tires, navigation errors, and studying to sort things with no matter’s in your toolbox, together with having a well-stocked medical package.
The e-book is paperback, gentle, and crammed with data however not overly lengthy and heavy. It’s the type of e-book you throw in your rig and really reference whenever you’re attempting to determine your tire strain for sand or questioning for those who can safely cross that wash.
Is it complete? Extraordinarily. Is it enjoyable to learn? Surprisingly, sure. Will it make you need to give up your job and drive to Patagonia? In all probability. And that’s type of the purpose. For those who love journey in any respect, you’re going to need to tackle a few of the epic journeys he writes about, and Brady’s simply ensuring you don’t blow up your transmission on the best way there.
The Verdict
The “Overlanding 101: A Area Information to Automobile-Primarily based Journey Journey” e-book by no means talks down the challenges. Distant journey is tough. Issues break. Climate turns. Roads disappear. However Brady’s method is refreshingly pragmatic: Right here’s what may go unsuitable; right here’s learn how to put together for it; right here’s learn how to repair it when it occurs anyway.
It’s the automotive equal of “hope for the perfect, plan for the worst,” besides he’s truly been by way of the worst and lived to write down extraordinarily detailed notes about it.
You possibly can in fact journey with a limiteless price range and a custom-built rig, however that’s not how most individuals are going to do it. So put together correctly, then flip the important thing.
Photographs by Vanessa Salvia
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