The Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival is always a great time with amazing people. It has continually changed over the years to offer more and more value to the overland adventurer. Last year I was able to make it to both the MAOF and the Touratech Rally East, which were held on different weekends. These two events are both extremely fun and amazing learning opportunities, but they were each missing something big.
I believe that something is the added benefit of having both 4-wheeled and 2-wheeled adventurers at the same event. Both of these groups have an immense amount of info to share with each other, and have a ton of overlap. Prime example, while I travel mostly on 4-wheels in the EEXP, I also love to travel on my KTM 950 Adventure.
For 2018 the MAOF will be hosting both motos and trucks, as the Touratech Rally will not be happening this year. I’m excited to have both of these communities of overland adventurers on the same field sharing travel stories around the campfire. The event will be held August 9-12 in 2018, in Huntingtdon, PA. (Register before 4/1/18 and save big!)
One of the best assets of the MAOF is the amazing piece of property the event calls home, known as Seven Mountains Adventure Resort. The large rural farm in the middle of the lush rolling hills of Pennsylvania offers a beautiful camp setting, great off road challenge/teaching opportunities on site and is in the middle of a wide range of quality overland routes. These routes range from curvy paved heaven to dedicated single track, with a ton of long distance gravel routes in-between.
The pictures here should give you a little peak into these two events from last year, and in turn get you excited for the one mega event this year. Pennsylvania might not be the first place you think of when you think about overland destinations and off road driving, but I can assure you that you’re missing something impressive if you don’t check it out.
Lots of awesome classes and discussions from industry experts all weekend.
Overland Experts always offers top notch off road driving and recovery classes.
Always a huge variety of vehicles in attendance.
The Woolrich woolen mills are close to the event site and offered an impressive tour last year.
Fun and games!
Gear Patrol stepped up as the title sponsor last year.
The big raffle is always a crowd pleaser.
Lots of trail runs for bikes and trucks, of all ability levels.
The on property grass track is a massive learning tool and TONS of fun.
Quality vendors always elevate the event.
Top notch demonstrations and instruction, by people like the legendary Jimmy Lewis, are always on offer.
The moto slow race is always entertaining and good fun for all ability levels.
It does rain in PA during the summer, be prepared.
If you can’t make the MAOF this year, but do plan to travel through PA, be sure to pickup a few maps from Purple Lizard Maps. These highly detailed maps are made specifically for the adventure traveler, highlighting recreation routes and locations, as well as needed services and beautiful lookouts.
