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Remember playing the game “telephone?”
How the excitement of spreading the secret fell to the next ear with a whisper and giggle? Now, imagine the secret as an adult yielding the same goosebumps as you pass it along through your fingertips and keyboard… then multiply it exponentially as each person spreads it to their web of contacts. This is how we’ll get people off their couches… this is how we’re resetting priorities and stirring excitement for the future... this is Overland Expo (OX).
Being that OX is one of the biggest events in the world for adventure motorcyclists and overlanders, founders Roseann and Jonathan Hanson have been throwing themselves into its expansion. So, what’s the secret to 25% growth across the board—including exhibitors, overland experience students, and day passers? Try their one-of-a-kind recipe for success that takes in inspirational programs and presentations by colorful world travelers and experts, 170 exhibitors with innovative adventure products, books, films and services, and hair-raising demos like the Land Rover driving course and RawHyde’s adventure motorcycle rodeo. Each year gets bigger and better than the last. And all due to the enormous energy the Hansons pile into lining up a newer and more exciting smorgasbord of delicacies for the adventure-hungry attendees to belly up and get their fill of dreams.
2013 witnessed an ever-expanding family of vendors and presenters, while adventure traveling friends bonded in new ways like never before. In reality, it cemented the fact that we all share the same adventurous blood. Word spread fast throughout last year that this event would be the greatest one yet, so ordering tickets online, well in advance, meant the difference between enjoying the event to its fullest with the Overland Experience package, or making it in on a day pass. This year, the 600 who paid extra for the entire package got its weight in gold. They were able to dig into demos, workshops, and classes representing the top echelon of trainers and vendors in both the adventure motorcycle and 4x4 worlds, while camping for free to enjoy the camaraderie around the grounds. Our industry was certainly excited to see that half of the 600 Overland Experiencers were motorcyclists, and as Roseann pointed out, “We’d like to think the other half want to be adventure motorcyclists.”
Six thousand enthusiasts poured through the gates after receiving word through the grapevine that this was a one-stopshop to get outfitted, trained, and inspired for their next big adventures. The trick was being able to squeeze in as many classes, demos, and presentations as time and stamina would allow. RawHyde set the bar high in Motorcycle Village with their own 150-rider Arizona Adventure Rally that ended at the event and included free weekend passes along with gourmet fare and drinks at the RawHyde Dakar Bar. Jim Hyde took the reins for his third year as Moto Village leader and coordinator, and built a great flow and layout for the vendor area that WOWed attendees. And, RawHyde made sure the bulldozers punched out some great whoops, hills, and plateaus to put beginning and intermediate skills classes to the test. The advanced classes were taken off site to make use of Arizona’s expert level off-road trails in the higher elevated landscape outside of Flagstaff.
What made Moto Village so successful were the high-end vendors who keep our industry geared up and outfitted. Redverz Gear, Touratech, Black Dog Cycle Works, Twisted Throttle, Giant Loop, MotoQuest, Schuberth, Lost for a Reason, Rugged Rider, and of course Adventure Motorcycle magazine, rounded out much of main street in the village. All were set up and happy to demo gear and accessories while taking care of any questions that came up.
The vendor who should get the award for causing the greatest excitement was Mark Tetreau, of Scooter and Auto Source—easily the most fun Ural dealer in the world. Roseann brilliantly placed him next to our magazine booth at the very front corner of Moto Village to attract attendees into our neck of the woods. Mark never turned off the engine of the Ural Gear-Up workhorse, lighting up the faces of participants as they climbed aboard for a quick sidecar motorcycle jaunt around the event. My daughter and I had the time of our lives as RawHyde’s very own top trainer, Shawn Thomas, grabbed one of Mark’s Urals to take us for a “flying chair” spin around the motorcycle rodeo arena.
A major highlight of Moto Village, and the entire OX this year, was the celebration of Simon and Lisa Thomas’ 10th-year-on-the-road anniversary. Lucky for us, they happened to be in North America, and chose OX as the setting for this great fanfare. Their engaging presentation launched the Saturday night party which was laced with professional quality photography by Simon, and video footage that had us demanding a TV show. The spicy and fun banter between the two made it obvious that there was total adoration and mutual respect, and acknowledgment that neither would be here today without the other covering his/her butt on the road. What a way to put a marriage to the test and prove that love can endure thousands of tire changes.
Also of note, Austin Vince chose this year’s Adventure Travel Film Festival at OX as the venue for the screening of his highly anticipated new film, Mondo Sahara. Part of the Saturday night hoopla, many travelers came in from all over the United States to support Austin’s most recent adventure as the Mondo Sahara team took on the infamous “Empty Quarter” of the Sahara, where no unsupported motorcyclists have ridden before. This region is so remote that an advance party had to be dispatched to bury fuel, water, and food at designated GPS locations so the Mondo Sahara team could cover the distance of this tough terrain without a back-up vehicle.
If there was one thing that we all walked away with from this event it was sheer excitement about the future. There was a huge buzz about being on the road by this time next year, whether it was from solo riders with an itch, families like Adventure Trio, or riders like me. We know that wherever our paths cross in the future, we will be welcomed by a family that will continue to grow. And, “O” how that will feel like home.
