The 2026 Avants Portland Weird and Wacky Car Show
I’m not sure there’s a better place to have a “Weird and Wacky” car show than Portland, Oregon. The “Keep Portland Weird” vibe was alive and well at the 2026…
Gear Garage: Putting the Women’s Cotopaxi Impermeo 3L Hooded Shell Jacket to the Test
Some people think any rain jacket is a good rain jacket. But are they equal after a year or a few of consistent use? My husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I…
The BFGoodrich ‘Performance Driving Guide’ Aims To Make You A Better Track-Day Driver
Tire manufacturer, BFGoodrich, knows a thing or two about performance driving. In fact, they’ve recently written about it. The Performance Driving Guide, written with author Ross Bentley, who wrote the…
2026 Dakar Rally: Stage 3 Racing in Full Effect
The 2026 Dakar Rally and Stage 3 was insane. The coverage of my last day in Saudi Arabia starts with a follow-the-leader driving exercise (with stock Defenders) in the desert…
Finding Suzuki Jimny Wheels in North America Isn’t Easy
Nothing changes the look of a vehicle more than a set of custom wheels and tires. Our JDM 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide came with aftermarket steel wheels. They’re all business,…
Defender Rally Team Sweeps the Stage 2 Stock Class Podium of the 2026 Dakar Rally
Our very own Mercedes Lilienthal is sharing in-person 2026 Dakar Rally and Defender happenings! She caught a variety of racers in action during Stage 2 as they headed towards the…
An Insider’s Look at the Defender Rally Team Bivouac Area at the 2026 Dakar Rally
I got a special insider’s look at the Defender Rally Team bivouac area at the 2026 Dakar Rally, after I arrived in Saudi Arabia. Support semis carried driver gear, tires,…
Reviewed: Decathlon Simond 500 Extend 40-60L Duffel Bag
Whether it’s a backpack, a duffel, or something in between, we’re constantly looking for bags that fit our travel-centric lifestyle. Simond (formerly Forclaz) is a sub-brand under the Decathlon company.…
The Ultimate Cross-Country Road Trip Checklist for Older Vehicles
We are no strangers to taking older 1980s and 1990s vehicles on long road trips. Whether it was our former 1989 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (L300), our 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero…
Arcade Belts Offer A Comfortable, Durable, Lightweight Option For Adventure Travelers
Embarrassingly, I’ve left for multiple trips forgetting a belt for my pants. This led me to need to buy a belt on the road or at an airport more times…
Guest Posts
The Most Overlooked Way to Lower the Cost of Car Ownership: Auto Loan Refinancing
Most drivers focus on fuel costs, maintenance, and insurance when thinking about what a car actually costs to own. The monthly loan payment often gets treated as a fixed number, something set at the dealership and left untouched for years. That assumption, however, is where a significant amount of money…
Why Precision Matters In Every Automotive Fabrication Project
Automotive fabrication is where creativity meets engineering. Whether building a custom hot rod, restoring a classic muscle car, or modifying an off-road vehicle, fabrication work demands attention to detail at every stage. The difference between a project that performs flawlessly and one that develops ongoing issues often comes down to…
Hurt on the Tools as a Casual: What Are Your Rights?
Spend enough time around workshops, detailing bays and tyre shops and you’ll meet plenty of people who work without a fixed roster. Weekend detailers chasing beer money, spanner hands brought in for the busy stretch, parts runners covering for a mate, apprentices grabbing whatever extra hours they can find. A…