Inventor I
- 13,232
- First Name
- Bjoern
- Last Name
- Eldracher
- Member #
-
20111
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- DO3BE
Hello Overland Bound Community!
An article, presenting Overland Bound, was published in the well-known German online offroad- and overlanding magazine called www.matsch-und-piste.de. The “Matsch & Piste Media UG” is a publisher specializing in outdoor, overlanding, adventure, off-road and outdoor kitchens. A new project was started last year, where the magazine introduces clubs and communities of the offroad- and overlanding community. This month Overland Bound is in the magazine.
You could read the full article here. This original text is in German. Please find a translation of the article into English below. Enjoy reading!
Offroad and travel scene: communities, clubs and associations - today Overland Bound
People who enjoy off-roading or overlanding often meet like-minded people. This results in great conversations around the campfire and often new friendships. In the off-road and overlanding scene, many small and larger communities, clubs and associations have formed that are very active. We think that's great and that's why we present interesting clubs and communities from the offroad and overlanding scene in our Scene & Clubs series. Today we report to you about a very international community of the offroad overlanding community: Overland Bound.
"Outfit and Explore!" That's the motto of Overland Bound, founded on the premise that adventure is necessary for everyone. That's what it's all about. Getting well prepared and then discovering the world. Be it on your own doorstep or on a long-distance trip. With a 2WD passenger car and a ground tent or a luxurious four-wheel expedition vehicle. A day trip or full-time overlander. It doesn't matter, the main thing is that you go out and do something great!
The birth of Overland Bound
On a snowy winter day, Michael was visiting his hometown with his kids. He was going through a very trying time in life, and on top of all that, it happened. The sporty convertible got stuck in a snow bank. There was no way forward and no way back. The engine was running to keep the heater alive and Michael watched as the fuel gauge approached the empty mark. He quickly wondered how he was going to keep the kids warm when the fuel will run out. Fortunately, the three were rescued by the California Highway Patrol before worse could happen.
Growing up in a small village, his father shaped him with his love of nature and being outdoors. As a child and teenager, Michael felt at home in nature, knew the names of plants, knew their uses, went hunting and knew how to survive in nature. Nature was everything to him. But now, in this snowdrift, he felt uncomfortable. This was the triggering moment. Michael felt that he wanted to get back to nature. He needed it. This moment triggered in him the need to go out, to get away, to escape from everyday life in order to reconnect with nature.
He bought a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80, threw gear in it and headed for the California Sierras.
He was poorly prepared, really poorly prepared, but he relied on what he had learned as a child. The result of that trip was absolute freedom. And to this day, Michael takes such a solo trip once a year to ground himself. Much better prepared, of course, than he was back then with the convertible. Because that is also a basic principle of Overland Bound: Travel, but safely and properly prepared!
Michael, founder of Overland Bound with his 80 Land Cruiser.
After this experience, Michael wanted to share his experience and introduce others to the solace of the great outdoors. He started to write about overlanding and to share his experiences. Overland Bound was born. You can listen to the whole story as a podcast here.
The core principles of Overland Bound
These events happened a few years ago and Overland Bound is now an international part of the overlanding community and consists of more than 28,500 members worldwide who have one thing in common: the joy of vehicle-based travel. Because that's what overlanding is all about: vehicle-based travel! And it doesn't matter what kind of vehicle you drive. The only requirement for a travel vehicle is that it does the required job, and does it safely.
Everyone is welcome in the Overland Bound community, no matter what kind of vehicle they drive,
and no matter if they're going on small trips out the front door or the really big trip.
No one is excluded here! Overland Bound has written this and much more into its core principles that every member recognizes and lives by.
Joint experiences and adventures in nature for everyone, that's what Overland Bound stands for.
The principle of not excluding anyone, leads to incredible diversity among Overland Bound members. People from all over the world, from the most diverse cultural circles, social spheres and the most varied convictions and lifestyles meet here. The unifying element: exploring at the world! In this way, Overland Bound promotes cosmopolitanism and diversity.
This is also reflected in the Overland Bound Forum
The forum today, consists of around 65,000 members and offers, in over half a million posts, a wealth of well-structured information on the subject of overlanding and everything that goes with it. From tips for newcomers, descriptions and planning of interesting destinations, overlanding stories to equipment advice and tips on first aid in emergencies while traveling, and much more. You can really find everything here. And that's what this site is all about. Helping people who want to get out there and do something about it. Overland Bound wants as many people as possible to experience the outdoors this way. And wants to make that experience accessible and attainable for everyone.
The community is happy to help. Even if there is a huge distance from each other due to their global focus. This is typical of people who live in large territorial states. 500 kilometres for a cup of coffee and a good conversation is no distance there. And if there is no one nearby, there are many good tips also in the Overland Bound YouTube channel and as well as the QA forum.
Overland Bound - that is also variety of events, trainings and meetings
It's a similar story with Overland Bound events. Meetings, trainings and events are also organized via the website. The so-called Rally Points help with this. Here every Overland Bound member who has an idea for a great event can and should organize and offer something.
Overland Bound members on one of their many joint tours in the US.
Through these Rally Points, also help is provided when a member needs help. For example, as was the case for many long-term overlanders when shelters and safe places to stay had to be found in the wake of the pandemic restrictions. This is how the "Global Support" campaign came into force. And it was possible to provide uncomplicated help to numerous long-term overlanders on the road:
Community and diversity are also at the forefront of Overland Bound meetings. In 2019, for example, a number of members from different countries set out for a European trip to the Matterhorn. Along the route, Overland Bound members joined in and accompanied the convoy for a while.
Overland Bound members on their trip visiting the 4,478 m high Matterhorn.
From time to time, joint excursions leading along interesting routes, visits to overlanding shows and fairs or even trips to members in neighbouring countries are on the program.All these activities take place in harmony with nature and the environment.
This is also one of the core principles of Overland Bound. "Leave it better than you found it" is written down in the values. This is where the tread lighlty® approach comes in. This is an initiative that aims to reconcile people's need for outdoor activities and the preservation of the environment and nature.
At the end of last year, for example, more than 100 Overland Bound members swarmed into the Mojave Desert in the Western United States. There, in a large-scale operation, they collected and disposed of fifteen tons of garbage that had accumulated there over decades. In the end, two 40-foot containers were filled to the brim. There is an interesting video of this great event:
Another event in the Mojave Desert is planned for this year. Overland Bound is also working with Death Valley National Park to set up a similar project there.
Many ideas for future events
Many events are also being planned for Europe. Of course, this is severely limited at the moment. But Overland Bound would not be Overland Bound if members did not develop new ideas and adapt to the situation. Thus, a virtual campfire was initiated. Members from all over Europe gather around this virtual fire every two weeks and exchange ideas on topics related to overlanding and everyday life, and make new plans together. Also, otherwise there are many ideas for trips, as soon as this is possible again. For example, Greenlaning tours in the Netherlands and France as well as the common attendance of fairs and a first aid course, which will be aligned particularly to the needs of overlanders, are to be accomplished soon. The participants can look forward to many beautiful experiences in a great community of the overlanding community.
Overland Bound offers much for the members
Overland Bound is not an association or club, but a kind of community of interest, a platform. The possibilities, which this platform offers, are financed among other things by contributions of the members.
In addition to the forum, events and social media information, Overland Bound offers interesting features such as a member map with POIs, interesting routes, destinations, workshops and much more. There is also the possibility to contact members nearby, for example when recovery assistance is needed. Users can contribute and add new information and there are many new features in the pipeline (navigation, track recording and sharing, 3D maps). Further, there is expert knowledge, member benefits on equipment and much more. There's even a dedicated app! The OB One App. The offer is constantly being extended and expanded.
The number of members is growing continuously. The size of the community of interest and worldwide orientation quickly required an organizational structure, similar to a company. So, there are so-called regional directors and member representatives in each region, who are available to the members for all questions about Overland Bound and carry the idea of the community. Each member receives a personal emblem.
Participation in Overland Bound
The community thrives on participation. New faces who identify with the basic principles are always welcome! Take a look around Overland Bound, the Facebook page, on Instagram , download the free app ‘Overland Bound One’ or meet the members and representatives of Overland Bound in person at one or the other event. There are also numerous events planned for Europe in the future.
Text: @Robert OB 33/48 and @El-Dracho
© Photos: Overland Bound, Berry J. Holmes, @NotGumby
An article, presenting Overland Bound, was published in the well-known German online offroad- and overlanding magazine called www.matsch-und-piste.de. The “Matsch & Piste Media UG” is a publisher specializing in outdoor, overlanding, adventure, off-road and outdoor kitchens. A new project was started last year, where the magazine introduces clubs and communities of the offroad- and overlanding community. This month Overland Bound is in the magazine.
You could read the full article here. This original text is in German. Please find a translation of the article into English below. Enjoy reading!
Offroad and travel scene: communities, clubs and associations - today Overland Bound
People who enjoy off-roading or overlanding often meet like-minded people. This results in great conversations around the campfire and often new friendships. In the off-road and overlanding scene, many small and larger communities, clubs and associations have formed that are very active. We think that's great and that's why we present interesting clubs and communities from the offroad and overlanding scene in our Scene & Clubs series. Today we report to you about a very international community of the offroad overlanding community: Overland Bound.
"Outfit and Explore!" That's the motto of Overland Bound, founded on the premise that adventure is necessary for everyone. That's what it's all about. Getting well prepared and then discovering the world. Be it on your own doorstep or on a long-distance trip. With a 2WD passenger car and a ground tent or a luxurious four-wheel expedition vehicle. A day trip or full-time overlander. It doesn't matter, the main thing is that you go out and do something great!
The birth of Overland Bound
On a snowy winter day, Michael was visiting his hometown with his kids. He was going through a very trying time in life, and on top of all that, it happened. The sporty convertible got stuck in a snow bank. There was no way forward and no way back. The engine was running to keep the heater alive and Michael watched as the fuel gauge approached the empty mark. He quickly wondered how he was going to keep the kids warm when the fuel will run out. Fortunately, the three were rescued by the California Highway Patrol before worse could happen.
Growing up in a small village, his father shaped him with his love of nature and being outdoors. As a child and teenager, Michael felt at home in nature, knew the names of plants, knew their uses, went hunting and knew how to survive in nature. Nature was everything to him. But now, in this snowdrift, he felt uncomfortable. This was the triggering moment. Michael felt that he wanted to get back to nature. He needed it. This moment triggered in him the need to go out, to get away, to escape from everyday life in order to reconnect with nature.
He bought a Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80, threw gear in it and headed for the California Sierras.
He was poorly prepared, really poorly prepared, but he relied on what he had learned as a child. The result of that trip was absolute freedom. And to this day, Michael takes such a solo trip once a year to ground himself. Much better prepared, of course, than he was back then with the convertible. Because that is also a basic principle of Overland Bound: Travel, but safely and properly prepared!
Michael, founder of Overland Bound with his 80 Land Cruiser.
After this experience, Michael wanted to share his experience and introduce others to the solace of the great outdoors. He started to write about overlanding and to share his experiences. Overland Bound was born. You can listen to the whole story as a podcast here.
The core principles of Overland Bound
These events happened a few years ago and Overland Bound is now an international part of the overlanding community and consists of more than 28,500 members worldwide who have one thing in common: the joy of vehicle-based travel. Because that's what overlanding is all about: vehicle-based travel! And it doesn't matter what kind of vehicle you drive. The only requirement for a travel vehicle is that it does the required job, and does it safely.
Everyone is welcome in the Overland Bound community, no matter what kind of vehicle they drive,
and no matter if they're going on small trips out the front door or the really big trip.
No one is excluded here! Overland Bound has written this and much more into its core principles that every member recognizes and lives by.
Joint experiences and adventures in nature for everyone, that's what Overland Bound stands for.
The principle of not excluding anyone, leads to incredible diversity among Overland Bound members. People from all over the world, from the most diverse cultural circles, social spheres and the most varied convictions and lifestyles meet here. The unifying element: exploring at the world! In this way, Overland Bound promotes cosmopolitanism and diversity.
This is also reflected in the Overland Bound Forum
The forum today, consists of around 65,000 members and offers, in over half a million posts, a wealth of well-structured information on the subject of overlanding and everything that goes with it. From tips for newcomers, descriptions and planning of interesting destinations, overlanding stories to equipment advice and tips on first aid in emergencies while traveling, and much more. You can really find everything here. And that's what this site is all about. Helping people who want to get out there and do something about it. Overland Bound wants as many people as possible to experience the outdoors this way. And wants to make that experience accessible and attainable for everyone.
The community is happy to help. Even if there is a huge distance from each other due to their global focus. This is typical of people who live in large territorial states. 500 kilometres for a cup of coffee and a good conversation is no distance there. And if there is no one nearby, there are many good tips also in the Overland Bound YouTube channel and as well as the QA forum.
Overland Bound - that is also variety of events, trainings and meetings
It's a similar story with Overland Bound events. Meetings, trainings and events are also organized via the website. The so-called Rally Points help with this. Here every Overland Bound member who has an idea for a great event can and should organize and offer something.
Overland Bound members on one of their many joint tours in the US.
Through these Rally Points, also help is provided when a member needs help. For example, as was the case for many long-term overlanders when shelters and safe places to stay had to be found in the wake of the pandemic restrictions. This is how the "Global Support" campaign came into force. And it was possible to provide uncomplicated help to numerous long-term overlanders on the road:
Community and diversity are also at the forefront of Overland Bound meetings. In 2019, for example, a number of members from different countries set out for a European trip to the Matterhorn. Along the route, Overland Bound members joined in and accompanied the convoy for a while.
Overland Bound members on their trip visiting the 4,478 m high Matterhorn.
From time to time, joint excursions leading along interesting routes, visits to overlanding shows and fairs or even trips to members in neighbouring countries are on the program.All these activities take place in harmony with nature and the environment.
This is also one of the core principles of Overland Bound. "Leave it better than you found it" is written down in the values. This is where the tread lighlty® approach comes in. This is an initiative that aims to reconcile people's need for outdoor activities and the preservation of the environment and nature.
At the end of last year, for example, more than 100 Overland Bound members swarmed into the Mojave Desert in the Western United States. There, in a large-scale operation, they collected and disposed of fifteen tons of garbage that had accumulated there over decades. In the end, two 40-foot containers were filled to the brim. There is an interesting video of this great event:
Another event in the Mojave Desert is planned for this year. Overland Bound is also working with Death Valley National Park to set up a similar project there.
Many ideas for future events
Many events are also being planned for Europe. Of course, this is severely limited at the moment. But Overland Bound would not be Overland Bound if members did not develop new ideas and adapt to the situation. Thus, a virtual campfire was initiated. Members from all over Europe gather around this virtual fire every two weeks and exchange ideas on topics related to overlanding and everyday life, and make new plans together. Also, otherwise there are many ideas for trips, as soon as this is possible again. For example, Greenlaning tours in the Netherlands and France as well as the common attendance of fairs and a first aid course, which will be aligned particularly to the needs of overlanders, are to be accomplished soon. The participants can look forward to many beautiful experiences in a great community of the overlanding community.
Overland Bound offers much for the members
Overland Bound is not an association or club, but a kind of community of interest, a platform. The possibilities, which this platform offers, are financed among other things by contributions of the members.
In addition to the forum, events and social media information, Overland Bound offers interesting features such as a member map with POIs, interesting routes, destinations, workshops and much more. There is also the possibility to contact members nearby, for example when recovery assistance is needed. Users can contribute and add new information and there are many new features in the pipeline (navigation, track recording and sharing, 3D maps). Further, there is expert knowledge, member benefits on equipment and much more. There's even a dedicated app! The OB One App. The offer is constantly being extended and expanded.
The number of members is growing continuously. The size of the community of interest and worldwide orientation quickly required an organizational structure, similar to a company. So, there are so-called regional directors and member representatives in each region, who are available to the members for all questions about Overland Bound and carry the idea of the community. Each member receives a personal emblem.
Participation in Overland Bound
The community thrives on participation. New faces who identify with the basic principles are always welcome! Take a look around Overland Bound, the Facebook page, on Instagram , download the free app ‘Overland Bound One’ or meet the members and representatives of Overland Bound in person at one or the other event. There are also numerous events planned for Europe in the future.
Text: @Robert OB 33/48 and @El-Dracho
© Photos: Overland Bound, Berry J. Holmes, @NotGumby
