By: WMBA Sponsor, Ian Horgan
IT WAS MID-OCTOBER.
We decided to pack up our Honda Element and take a late fall camping trip. The aspen leaves were peaking and we wanted to have one last mountain bike adventure before packing them away for winter.
We arrived Friday afternoon and found our camp spot, pitched the tent, then took a short trip back to Durango for pizza and beer and to map out our adventure for the next day.
The next day started great. The sun was out, the leaves were a golden yellow, and we enjoyed a cool but comfortable temperature during our ride.
ADVENTURE IS NOT FOUND WITHOUT A LITTLE ADVERSITY.
At the farthest, highest point of the ride, the weather turned foul and we found ourselves under prepared for a cold, wet ride back to camp. When we finally limped in, we were beat, emotionally and mentally. We retreated into the tent for the rest of the late afternoon and evening while the storm got progressively worse.
The following day, still cold and feeling a bit defeated, we packed up a soggy, muddy tent and tossed all of our wet gear, and ourselves, back into the Element.
THEN, DURING THE LONG DRIVE HOME, WE HAD AN IDEA.
We researched camper vans long before our trip to Durango and found nothing that met our basic criteria: affordable, simple and reliable. We enjoyed the Element, but it was just too small for two. All we needed and wanted was something a bit bigger and that was void of any complexities. We had all the camping gear, just no place to put it. If only there was a simple camper van to keep us and all of our stuff out of the weather it would have saved the trip.
IT WAS THEN WHEN WE DECIDED TO MAKE A CAMPER VAN FOR PEOPLE LIKE US.
THE VAN AND THE KIT.
The van had to be affordable and usable as a daily driver, so we started Wayfarer Vans with the Ram Promaster City.
The kit also had to be affordable and easily installed. During our research we were surprised at how long it took to have a camper van built, so we decided that whatever we did, it couldn't waste any time that could be spent outside. So, a year and a half later, we launched Wayfarer Vans, a simple, camper van conversion that can be created and installed within a few weeks of placing the order—and one that leaves more money to be spent on your favorite equipment.
Oh how much we would have loved our Wayfarer camper van, staying warm and dry, during that Durango trip.
We're thrilled to be sponsoring WMBA this season and we'll have one of our vans out at a group ride soon so you can see it in person. Be sure to say hi to my wife Rachel, she's a long-time WMBA member. When we aren't traveling in our Wayfarer on a Thursday, you'll likely see her at a WMBA ride.
If you want to learn more about our vans, visit our website: WayfarerVans.com