What is your favorite overlanding movie, video, book, story, or inspiration?

OuterLimits · May 18, 2017

My favorite overlanding video is "The Long Way Round". This is a documentary of Ewan McGregor and his best mate Charlie Boorman, planning and completing a round the world motorcycle trip. Challenging adventures and inhospitable trails. The amazing irony is completing such a difficult journey only to nearly get run over when they reach the safety of North American roads.

My favorite overlanding book is "Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide" by Tom Sheppard and Jonathan Hanson. If there was a bible for overlanding, this would be it.

It was out of print for a while and some early hard copies are going into the thousands of dollars.
They have now put out a 4th ed that can be purchased from the UK for $75
http://www.desertwinds.co.uk/expedition_guide_06.html

dblack · May 18, 2017

"In Clancy's Boots" is a good story.

In 1912 Carl Clancy began an around the world journey on a motorcycle. This book relives that journey in modern times and compares the 2 narratives.

OuterLimits · May 19, 2017

dblack said:
"In Clancy's Boots" is a good story.

In 1912 Carl Clancy began an around the world journey on a motorcycle. This book relives that journey in modern times and compares the 2 narratives.

You got me sold with 3 sentences! I'll take a look for it. TR

dblack · May 19, 2017

Lol. It is a good read.

I got a kick out of his stories of how hard he struggled with the trails/roads out of California. The roads were rough and steep. His 3 speed 12hp bike struggled and he had to push a fair bit.

Boort · May 20, 2017

My favorite is "The Gods Must be Crazy". Not about Overlanding but The Range Rover, "Anti-Christ", features prominently in the narrative.

Boort

4xFar Adventures · May 20, 2017

It's not overlanding, but the Camel Trophy is probably my biggest inspiration, AND favorite videos to watch:)

I have a 2nd edition of the Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Guide and it is part of my top list. There's also Four By Four Driving by Tom Sheppard and The New Zealand 4 Wheel Drive Handbook by Ken Sibly.

Tim · May 21, 2017

I also enjoyed the LWR & LWD TV series and the one Charlie Boorman went on to do, 'By Any Means'

Another is Michael Palin's 'Around the world in 80 Days'

In terms of books, I've read quite a few but the ones that come to mind are.

'Who needs a road'

'Into Africa' by Sam Manicom
[URL]http://www.sam-manicom.com/into-africa/#.WSFIJ4XTWEc

'Left beyond the horizon' by Christopher Many
http://christopher-many.com/en/books/all-books.html

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OuterLimits · May 22, 2017

My favorite is "The Gods Must be Crazy". Not about Overlanding but The Range Rover, "Anti-Christ", features prominently in the narrative.

I had forgotten all about that little gem. I saw that in a little indie film theater in Seattle over 30 years ago. The Rover winching itself up the tree is worth the price of admission alone.

It's not overlanding, but the Camel Trophy is probably my biggest inspiration, AND favorite videos to watch:)

The Camel Trophy was a huge inspiration in my younger days. I don't recall much in the way of TV or videos back then, but every time it was featured on a 4x4 magazine, that rag was going home with me. I would read it over and over till my drooling from the pics ruined the magazine. ;-)

Tim said:
I also enjoyed the LWR & LWD TV series and the one Charlie Boorman went on to do, 'By Any Means'

I just found "By any means" on YouTube. Popcorn time!

Another is Michael Palin's 'Around the world in 80 Days'

This such a sleeper doocumentary. It is slow paced and littered with Palin's dry wit. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In terms of books, I've read quite a few but the ones that come to mind are.

'Who needs a road'

'Into Africa' by Sam Manicom
http://www.sam-manicom.com/into-africa/#.WSFIJ4XTWEc

[/URL']'Left beyond the horizon' by Christopher Many
http://christopher-many.com/en/books/all-books.html

Wow, looks like I have many months of inspiration and entertainment in my future.

Thanks for the input! TR

Boort · May 22, 2017

@fugitive

fugitive said:
I had forgotten all about that little gem. I saw that in a little indie film theater in Seattle over 30 years ago. The Rover winching itself up the tree is worth the price of admission alone.

I don't remember where I first saw it likely a VHS rental back in the 80's. Funny you mention that scene, as it's sort of pulled out for reference often among a few of us.

"Why is the Anti-Christ up in a tree?"
"I don't wanna talk about it."
...

Boort

3wbdriver · Jun 15, 2017

Any book about the Long Range Desert Group in North Africa during World War II.

OuterLimits · Jun 15, 2017

3wbdriver said:
Any book about the Long Range Desert Group in North Africa during World War II.

http://www.lrdg.org/

3wbdriver · Jun 16, 2017

fugitive said:
http://www.lrdg.org/

They've been bookmarked and followed for 10 or so years now. I keep trying to come up with a valid reason to drive to California to see that truck.

Matt4Runner · Jul 13, 2017

Jupiter's Travels. A book by an English guy that went around the world on a Triumph in the '70s. It was an inspiration for Ewen McGregor to do his trip. I think it was what first introduced me to the idea of overlanding. It was years later that I started backpacking and then watched the Long Way Around which got me back into the idea. Got real close to buying a dual-sport.

12C20 · Jul 19, 2017

I was pretty young when I saw "Easy Rider." And, while the drug culture never appealed to me, the absolute coolness of just leaving it all behind and riding off into the unknown catapulted all my cowboy-movie dreams into the 20th Century.

Mike W · Jul 19, 2017

I love the Charlie Boorman stuff, even though its all bikes. He also did one called "Long Way Down" to South Africa, and he did a "Race to Dakar" which is just amazing to watch, again mostly about bikes, but he did part of the Dakar Rally.

Tim · Jul 20, 2017

Just finished Zoe Cano's book "Bonneville Go or Bust" https://www.zoecano.com/product/bonneville-go-or-bust-on-the-roads-less-travelled/
Great read about a trip travelling solo across the US on a motorbike. Now looking forward to reading the next one. This time the adventure is in an old truck.

https://www.zoecano.com/product/chilli-skulls-tequila/

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gobi_recon · Aug 2, 2017

I just got done with We Will Be Free: Overlanding In Africa and Around South America Paperback by Mr Graeme Robert Bell and thought it was a really good read for overlanding.

Benn · Aug 2, 2017

127 Hours. Gotta love that red 4runner in Zion.

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94Cruiser · Aug 2, 2017

Andrew St. Pierre White's Vlogs keep me entertained....

TheAdventureIndex · Aug 2, 2017

Awesome thread. Love all these suggestions, completely agree with Andrew St. Pierre White's vlogs!

What is your favorite overlanding movie, video, book, story, or inspiration?

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