The Overland Event happens twice a year – there’s a ‘Winter Warmer’ in March and the bigger, main summer event is held from 28th-31st August. Dom Humby went along to the chilly one earlier in the year. Here’s his report.
The arena of motorcycle events has undergone a significant shift in its dynamics over the past few years. Ever so rapidly changing from demographic-focused events catering to a clientele that chose to travel in every way for the freedom that comes with two wheels, into full-on festivals with DJ sets and live music playing out to thousands of people.
However, not all events are created equal…
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This is The Overland Event! A motorcycle event owned and operated by Paddy Tyson and Saul Jeavons that is dedicated to global two-wheeled travel and sponsored by Dunlop Motorcycle Tyres, but on a much more personal level. 2025 marks the return of the hugely successful event that takes place twice a year after a hiatus in 2024. The Winter Warmer spanned from Friday 28th February until Sunday afternoon, March 2nd. Six months later, you get The Overland Summer event at the end of August, spanning from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. This year, the Winter Warmer was held at the same location as the summer event, the Hill End Outdoor Centre in Oxford, rather than its usual event site in Chipping Warden.
There are mixed agendas throughout The Overland Event, but motorcycle travel has remained at its heart and its key ethos since its conception. One thing that I have found plagues so many events is an overbearing commercial focus with inflated show prices, etc, something I’m happy to say you won’t find here. The Overland Event is something of a marvellous spectacle where so many great and intrepid explorers have graced their presence consecutively, not because it’s just another event, but because they love to be there! Explorers like Ted Simon, the late Mary Sievier, Sam Manicom, Simon and Lisa Thomas, Elspeth Beard, Austin Vince, Jacqui Furneaux, Jeremy Kroeker, Markus Mayer, and to be honest, an endless list of others! The fundamental difference with The Overland Event is that everything is slowed down to be enjoyed to its full potential, so much so that you’re able to have a proper conversation without the fear of stopping a sale or being in someone else’s way. I, for one, can definitely say that I have thoroughly enjoyed having a beer with Simon Thomas and engaging in many conversations with Sam Manicom. The most wonderful thing that comes from these events is that you leave with new but lifelong friends who share the same passion.
The Hill End Outdoor Centre offers both camping and dorm options, depending on which one suits you best. I opted for dorms this year as my back took a turn. I’m getting old….37 ‘cough cough’, being an outdoor centre, the dorms have separate toilet and shower blocks already on site, but Paddy and Saul make sure there are top quality facilities close by the campsite as well. Food is always well catered for. This year, a complimentary meal of a jacket potato with cheesy beans was included with the event ticket on the first night. Breakfast consisted of rolls with your choice of filling, and a street food vendor provided dinner. A personal favourite of mine as I love Pork Adobo…look it up it’s fantastic. The summer event is somewhat larger and features a wider variety of food vendors, including pizza available at any time of day, cuisine from the Philippines, Gyros, and many more options, so you’re always in for a surprise. Beverages for the event are expertly tasted by both Paddy and Saul each year to ensure they meet the high standards for The Overland Event. They never fail to keep ‘Scouse’s Bar’ fully stocked, named after an Overland Team member, but more importantly, a good friend of both Paddy and Saul, who sadly passed away, but shows the level of community and family this event has created, not only with its visitors but with its staff.
Workshops galore at The Overland Event, covering topics such as travel advice, maintenance, kit advice, and even travel hacks for specific countries and situations you may encounter. The personal level of these workshops means you’re not competing with hundreds of people to get a question answered. The Overland Event is somewhere you can truly be inspired to tackle round-the-world travel on two wheels, and I’ll be honest… It’s a bargain by today’s standards!
This year’s summer event prices start at £135 for the four-day event passport and range up to no more than £180 to add a dorm bed and t-shirt”, it’s also worth mentioning that any activities you partake in throughout the event are completed free and included in the passport ticket price. Different options are available, but are fully customisable to suit your needs from the website. The Overland Event sponsor a charity every year, and this year is the Air Ambulance Service, a cause very much at the heart of the Overland team. Chosen because the Air Ambulance Service has previously saved two Overland team members’ lives, among the many others they have saved. Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance tended to one after losing a leg, and Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulance treated another for a brain injury. The aforementioned Scouse’s Bar, named after a team member who sadly passed, was also due to get treatment from the Air Ambulance Service, but sadly succumbed before their arrival.
For me, The Overland Event remains earmarked on my calendar consecutive years in advance and is a must for anyone interested in motorcycles, travel and everything surrounding these two genres, with the focus being on a growing, close-knit community. I hope to be at this year’s summer event and as many as possible future events after that. Check out the link to buy tickets and see this year’s stunning line-up, including Sam Manicom, Simon and Lisa Thomas and Alex Jackson from Ride4Rhinos to name a few.
Held at: Hill End outdoor centre, Oxford.
Owned and operated by: Paddy Tyson and Saul Jeavons.
