# The Open Mile

> Adventure doesn't begin at the destination—it begins with the decision to explore.


## Posts

- [Is A Budget eMTB Far Too Heavy For Angeles National Forest Forest Trail Single Track](https://theopenmile.com/is-a-budget-emtb-far-too-heavy-for-angeles-national-forest-forest-trail-single-track/): There’s one thing you notice pretty quickly when you pick up an electric mountain bike. It’s heavy. There’s really no way around it. You have a motor. You have a battery. You have a frame designed to handle all of that. And when you add everything together, a budget eMTB like my Eskute M200F isn’t exactly a featherweight. That made me wonder: Is it actually too heavy for singletrack in the Angeles National Forest? Weight Matters More on Singletrack When you’re riding a wider forest road, the weight of the bike isn’t something I think about nearly as much. You’re moving […]
- [An Honest Review: Eskute M200F Full Suspension Budget eMTB](https://theopenmile.com/an-honest-review-eskute-m200f-full-suspension-budget-emtb/): I didn’t buy the Eskute M200F because I thought it was going to be the best electric mountain bike on the market. I bought it because I wanted to ride. That’s an important distinction. I had been away from mountain biking for a while, and I wanted an affordable way to get back into it without spending several thousand dollars on a bike I wasn’t even sure I would use. The M200F seemed like a reasonable place to start. After spending the last few weeks riding it, I’m starting to understand what this bike does well, where it has limitations, and […]
- [Every Modification I’ve Done to My 2001 Mercedes ML320: Part 2 — Interior Upgrades and Everyday Improvements](https://theopenmile.com/every-modification-ive-done-to-my-2001-mercedes-ml320-part-2-interior-upgrades-and-everyday-improvements/): Building an adventure vehicle is not only about what happens outside the vehicle. The bumpers, tires, lights, and trail upgrades might be the first things people notice, but the interior is where you spend the most time. Whether you are driving several hours to reach a trail, spending a night camping, or simply using the vehicle every day, comfort and convenience matter. When I started building my 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 into an adventure rig, the goal was never to create a vehicle that only worked on the trail. The goal was to build something that could handle adventure while still being […]
- [How I Photograph Vehicles On The Trail](https://theopenmile.com/how-i-photograph-vehicles-on-the-trail/): A vehicle sitting in a driveway tells a story about what it is. A vehicle sitting on a trail tells a story about where it has been. There is something different about seeing a vehicle surrounded by the environment it was built to explore. A dusty trail, a mountain overlook, a forest road, or a remote campsite adds context that a garage or parking lot never can. For me, photographing vehicles on the trail is not just about capturing the vehicle itself. It is about documenting the experience behind it — the places it takes you, the challenges it faces, and […]
- [Five Great Weekend Adventures Within a Few Hours from Home](https://theopenmile.com/five-great-weekend-adventures-within-a-few-hours-from-home/): Adventure has a way of feeling farther away than it actually is. Many people spend months dreaming about distant destinations, planning cross-country road trips, or waiting for the “perfect” vehicle before they ever leave the driveway. But some of the best experiences are often found much closer than we think. A weekend adventure doesn’t need to involve thousands of miles, expensive gear, or a fully built expedition rig. Sometimes all it takes is a full tank of gas, a sense of curiosity, and a road you’ve never traveled before. Whether you are exploring forest roads, hiking a new trail, camping under […]
- [The Difference Between Offroading and Overlanding](https://theopenmile.com/the-difference-between-offroading-and-overlanding/): At first glance, offroading and overlanding may look like the same thing. Both involve capable vehicles, dirt roads, exploring the outdoors, and leaving the pavement behind. Both communities share a passion for adventure, self-reliance, and discovering places that most people never see. But while they often overlap, offroading and overlanding are built around different experiences. One focuses on overcoming obstacles. The other focuses on the journey. Understanding the difference can help you choose the type of adventure that fits your interests, your vehicle, and the way you want to explore. What Is Offroading? Offroading is the act of driving a vehicle […]
- [The Best Adventure Vehicle is the One You Already Own](https://theopenmile.com/the-best-adventure-vehicle-is-the-one-you-already-own/): Spend enough time online and you’ll eventually believe you need a six-figure overland build before you’re qualified to leave the pavement. Lift kits. Locking differentials. Roof racks covered in accessories. Recovery boards mounted to every available surface. Rows of LED lights brighter than a stadium. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy seeing well-built adventure vehicles as much as anyone else. But somewhere along the way, we’ve started confusing preparation with perfection. The truth is, the best adventure vehicle isn’t always the most expensive. More often than not, it’s the one already sitting in your driveway. Adventure Doesn’t Wait for the Perfect Build […]
- [What I Keep in My Vehicle for Every Adventure (And Why)](https://theopenmile.com/what-i-keep-in-my-vehicle-for-every-adventure-and-why/): Every adventure begins long before the tires leave the pavement. Whether I’m heading into San Bernardino National Forest for a weekend of dispersed camping or simply taking a scenic drive through the mountains, there are a handful of items that never leave my vehicle. Over time, this collection hasn’t grown because I wanted more gear—it has grown because every item has solved a problem at least once. Some are for convenience. Some are for comfort. Others, I hope I never need. Here’s what permanently rides along on every trip. A Basic Tool Kit If you’ve ever experienced a mechanical problem miles […]
- [Why Budget Builds Deserve More Respect](https://theopenmile.com/why-budget-builds-deserve-more-respect/): Walk through almost any overland event or spend enough time scrolling social media, and you’ll start to notice a pattern. Towering suspension lifts. Custom fabricated bumpers. Rooftop tents worth more than some used cars. Thousands of dollars in lighting, recovery gear, and accessories. They’re impressive. They represent countless hours of work, planning, and investment. But somewhere along the way, an unfortunate idea has started to take hold. That adventure belongs to whoever has spent the most money. I don’t believe that’s true. Adventure Was Never Meant to Be Exclusive The outdoors doesn’t ask what your monthly payment is. The mountains don’t […]
- [Why I Chose a Mercedes ML Instead of a Toyota](https://theopenmile.com/why-i-chose-a-mercedes-ml-instead-of-a-toyota/): If you spend enough time researching adventure vehicles, you’ll start noticing a pattern. Almost every recommendation eventually leads to the same handful of names. Toyota 4Runner. Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyota Tacoma. They’re fantastic vehicles, and they’ve earned their reputation through decades of reliability and capable off-road performance. So why did I choose a Mercedes ML instead? The answer is surprisingly simple. It wasn’t because I thought it was better than a Toyota. It was because it was the right vehicle for me. There’s No Such Thing as the Perfect Adventure Vehicle When people ask about the “best” adventure vehicle, they’re usually […]
- [The Journey is More Important than the Destination](https://theopenmile.com/the-journey-is-more-important-than-the-destination/): Some of my favorite memories don’t come from reaching the destination. They come from everything that happened before I got there. It’s easy to believe that adventure begins when you arrive at a campsite, reach a mountain summit, or finally park beside a beautiful lake. Social media has conditioned us to celebrate the finish line—the postcard view, the perfectly framed photograph, the destination everyone recognizes. But the older I get, the more I realize those moments are only part of the story. The real adventure begins long before that. Every Mile Has Something to Teach One of the reasons I started […]
- [Behind The Lens: My First Adventure with the Canon EOS R100](https://theopenmile.com/behind-the-lens-my-first-adventure-with-the-canon-eos-r100/): Every new camera comes with a learning curve. Some photographers spend weeks reading manuals, watching tutorials, and practicing in their backyard before taking a camera into the field. I did the opposite. Just before our Fourth of July trip to Big Bear National Forest, I picked up my first mirrorless camera—the Canon EOS R100—and threw it into the truck with the rest of our camping gear. There wasn’t much time to experiment before leaving, so I figured I’d learn as I went. Looking back, that may not have been the smartest plan. It was, however, one of the best learning experiences […]
- [Exploring a Forest Road Just Because It Was Here](https://theopenmile.com/exploring-a-forest-road-just-because-it-was-here/): Not every adventure begins with a carefully planned destination. Sometimes it begins with a simple question. “I wonder where that road goes.” I’ve driven past countless forest roads over the years. Most disappear quietly into the trees, marked only by a weathered sign or a number that means nothing to anyone passing by. They’re easy to ignore, especially when you already have somewhere you’re trying to be. But every once in a while, one of those roads asks for your attention. Not with words. Just with possibility. Curiosity Is the Best Navigation Tool Modern technology has made it easier than ever […]
- [My First Steps Into Automotive Photography](https://theopenmile.com/my-first-steps-into-automotive-photography/): I’ve always admired automotive photography. The dramatic lighting. The rugged landscapes. The perfectly framed vehicles that somehow make you want to pack your gear and head for the mountains. What I hadn’t done was actually create those photos myself. That changed during our first camping trip to Big Bear with my Canon EOS R100. While the trip was primarily about spending time with family and escaping into the forest, it also became my first real opportunity to experiment with photographing our vehicles in the environments they were built to explore. I quickly realized that taking pictures of vehicles is about much […]
- [Your First Weekend Adventure: What You Actually Need](https://theopenmile.com/your-first-weekend-adventure-what-you-actually-need/): Scrolling through social media can make it seem like every weekend adventure starts with a fully built overland rig, thousands of dollars in camera gear, rooftop tents, and enough recovery equipment to cross the Sahara. The truth is, it doesn’t. Most adventures begin with whatever you already have parked in your driveway. One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing they need to spend months—or even years—buying gear before they can finally get outside. In reality, the most valuable thing you can pack is simply the willingness to go. Start Small Your first adventure doesn’t have to be a week-long […]
- [The Complete Dispersed Camping Gear Checklist - Everything We Packed for a Three-Day Trip](https://theopenmile.com/the-complete-dispersed-camping-gear-checklist-everything-we-packed-for-a-three-day-trip/): One of the questions I hear most often after sharing camping photos is surprisingly simple: “What gear do you actually bring?” The answer isn’t a truck overflowing with expensive equipment or every gadget marketed toward overlanders. Over time, we’ve learned that successful dispersed camping isn’t about packing more—it’s about packing smarter. Every item we bring has earned its place through real trips, forgotten necessities, unexpected vehicle repairs, and lessons learned the hard way. This is the gear we relied on during our three-day dispersed camping trip in San Bernardino National Forest, and it’s become the foundation for nearly every off-grid adventure […]
- [Three Days of Dispersed Camping in Big Bear: A July Weekend Off the Grid](https://theopenmile.com/three-days-of-dispersed-camping-in-big-bear-a-july-weekend-off-the-grid/): Calling the remote San Bernardino forest home for a weekend.
- [How to Choose Your First Adventure Vehicle](https://theopenmile.com/how-to-choose-your-first-adventure-vehicle/): Buying your first adventure vehicle is exciting. It is also easy to get overwhelmed. Spend a few minutes online and you will see beautifully built 4x4s with rooftop tents, oversized tires, custom bumpers, and enough gear to make it seem like adventure comes with a six-figure price tag. For someone just getting started, it can feel like there is only one way to do it. There isn’t. The truth is that your first adventure vehicle does not have to be the most expensive, the most capable, or the most popular. It simply needs to be reliable enough to take you somewhere […]
- [One Day, One Tank of Gas: A Simple Adventure](https://theopenmile.com/one-day-one-tank-of-gas-a-simple-adventure/): Not every adventure needs a week off work. It does not need a carefully planned route, a fully built vehicle, or thousands of dollars in equipment. Sometimes, all you need is a free day, a full tank of gas, and the curiosity to see where the road leads. In a world where adventure is often measured by distance, elevation, or the difficulty of the trail, it is easy to forget that some of the best experiences are the simplest ones. A one-day adventure can be enough. Enough time to disconnect. Enough time to explore somewhere new. Enough time to come home […]
- [How to Start Overlanding Without $20,000](https://theopenmile.com/how-to-start-overlanding-without-20000/): One of the biggest misconceptions about overlanding is that you need an expensive vehicle, a fully built rig, and thousands of dollars in gear before you can start exploring. Scroll through social media long enough and it is easy to believe that every adventure vehicle needs a rooftop tent, custom suspension, oversized tires, a full electrical system, and a long list of expensive accessories. But the truth is much simpler. Overlanding has never been about how much money you spend. It is about exploring new places, becoming more self-sufficient, and experiencing the journey along the way. You do not need a […]
- [Building My 2001 Mercedes ML320 Into an Adventure Rig — Part 1: Exterior Transformation](https://theopenmile.com/building-my-2001-mercedes-ml320-into-an-adventure-rig-part-1-exterior-transformation/): When most people think about building an adventure vehicle, a 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320 probably is not the first vehicle that comes to mind. The typical adventure builds are familiar: Toyota 4Runners, Jeep Wranglers, Land Cruisers, and pickup trucks with years of aftermarket support behind them. They are proven platforms with massive communities and endless options. But adventure has never been about choosing the most obvious path. For me, the goal was never to build what everyone else was building. It was about taking a vehicle I already owned, understanding its strengths, improving its weaknesses, and creating something capable of taking me […]
- [Five Pieces of Camping Gear That Made A Difference](https://theopenmile.com/five-pieces-of-camping-gear-that-made-a-difference/): Camping has a way of teaching you what really matters. When you first start exploring the outdoors, it is easy to get caught up in the equipment. Bigger tents, expensive setups, endless accessories, and the latest adventure gadgets can make it seem like you need everything before you ever leave home. But after spending time outside, you start to realize something important. The best gear is not always the most expensive gear. It is the equipment that solves problems, makes the experience more enjoyable, and allows you to focus less on logistics and more on being there. Over time, a few […]
- [Welcome to The Open Mile: Why Every Adventure Begins With a Single Mile](https://theopenmile.com/welcome-to-the-open-mile/): The sun breaks over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the mountains. The morning air is crisp, the trail is quiet, and the only sound is the steady rhythm of boots meeting dirt. Somewhere ahead, the road disappears around a bend, inviting curiosity about what lies beyond. Every adventure begins with a single decision—to go. Not every journey requires a passport or weeks of planning. Sometimes the most memorable experiences are found just a few hours from home. A mountain road you’ve never driven. A trail you’ve always meant to hike. A sunrise you’ve never taken the time to watch. […]

## Pages

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- [About The Open Mile](https://theopenmile.com/about/): About The Open Mile Every adventure begins with a single mile. About The Open Mile is an online magazine with a focus on the outdoors. Offering expertise on a wide range of topics including overlanding, budget rig builds, mountain biking, camping, trail guides & more. The goal is remembering our journey is just as important as the destination. Big Bear A Small But Welcoming Mountain Town Jackson Lake Escaping the Putrid Socal Heat Our Mission At The Open Mile we don’t believe in spending your life savings just to journey our home planet. No matter what part of the world you […]
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