With the Checkers River Run and LAB2V looming on the horizon, we headed to Hungry Valley OHV Park for an endurance training day. The goal was simple: complete a 50-mile loop twice for a total of 100 miles.

The reality? The California heat had other plans.

After 48 miles and three hours on the trails, hydration stops became more frequent and energy levels started to fade. A humbling reminder that long-distance off-road riding requires more than just a capable motorcycle.

Join us as we put our fitness, stamina, and determination to the test in preparation for some of the biggest rides of the year.

Ten riders trade the desert heat of Southern California for the cool alpine mountain air of Kennedy Meadows - arguably some of the most fun singletrack riding in California. With breathtaking Sierra views, tranquil meadows, water crossings, downed trees, trailside repairs, and quiet nights camping at 7,400 feet in Fish Creek, the trip delivered equal parts challenge, adventure, and camaraderie. A reminder that sometimes the best rides happen far from the desert dust.

Big bike or lightweight dual sport… what’s the right tool for the Death Valley Noobs Rally?

Over 200 riders showed up to the 2026 Death Valley Noobs Rally - some on fully loaded adventure machines, others on stripped-down dirt weapons. Same terrain. Same heat. Completely different experiences.

So what actually works best out here? Is it about capability… or survival?

Let’s find out.

An unforgettable 90-mile dual sport journey through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Ocotillo Wells, packed with iconic landmarks, wildly varied terrain, and the kind of desert beauty that stays with you long after the ride ends

One of the Department of Wander crew’s final outings of the year took us deep into the Southern California desert, to a place that doesn’t just test riders - it reshapes them. Superstition Mountain, tucked near the Mexican border between Ocotillo Wells and the edge of nowhere, is all about sand, speed, and learning to trust your throttle.

Ballinger Canyon isn’t just a place you ride through - it’s a place you ride within. The scenery feels massive and intimate at the same time. Towering canyon walls rise up on either side, shaped by time and weather, their layers telling a story that stretches far beyond a single ride. In the narrow sections, the land closes in, amplifying every sound and making each turn feel deliberate and earned.

500 miles. Two days. One busted thumb. And a desert that tried to break us.
Ride with the Department of Wander crew across the Mojave on the legendary LAB2V—Palmdale to Barstow to Vegas—through sand, rock, wind, and absolute chaos. This is the Thanksgiving sufferfest we’ll never forget

The legendary Checkers River Run roared back to life in 2025, and the Department of Wander crew couldn’t resist the challenge. Two hundred miles of raw Mojave Desert lay ahead — from the volcanic fields near Barstow to the golden shores of the Colorado River. What followed was a punishing, unforgettable journey of endurance, dust, and desert beauty.

Riding the single track here is always a treat. Flowing turns, stretches of loose sand, climbs that test your balance, and fast runs where you can let the bike breathe. Hungry Valley offers a mix that works for riders of any skill level.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel the wild pulse of the American West beneath your tires, the annual Giant Loop Ride out of Crane Hot Springs, Oregon, might just be your calling.

If you're itching for a dirt escape that’s big bike friendly and just a short ride from the sprawl of Los Angeles, San Francisquito Canyon might just be your ticket.

The iconic Alabama Hills near Lone Pine

Stunning views and exciting single track riding amongst the trees on Frazier Mountain

30+ miles of big bike friendly dirt roads a stone throw from Los Angeles

Dove Springs offer scenic trails for riders at every skill level.

A day trip from Los Angeles to Randsburg deep in the Mojave desert.

Endless desert beauty, trails and challenges for every level of rider in Ocotillo Wells

7 mile single track perfect for beginners and intermediate dual sport riders

Buttery smooth, blue-rated single tracks and daring hill climbs.

A day trip from Los Angeles through a historic region.