Editor’s Letter

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, it’s a good time to take a moment to reflect upon the outgoing year, as well as think about what lies ahead. As for myself, I plan on finally re-outfitting my truck so that I can take it out for off-road adventures towards the beginning of the year. It’s been a decade since I built it; it deserves to be freshened up a bit. What plans do you have for your upcoming adventures? Is there a vehicle build that you intend on completing? Or is there a trip that you will finally find time to go on?

The outdoors is a great place to both share with others and spend time with one’s self. It can be refreshing to find some solitude in nature, but it can be even better when it is shared with family and friends. That’s what the owner of the Jeep JK you see on the cover must have been thinking when he jumped into the rabbit hole and constructed a camper top JK. With plenty of extra sleeping space, it’s deflnitely a fun ride to be in. We also get a taste of luxury when we visit a Lexus LX450 that has been modifled to roam the backcountry. If you’re into rides that don’t require deep pockets, you’ll enjoy reading about the Jeep XJ in this issue, as well.

As much as we love our off-road capable vehicles, Tread is about outdoor adventures, too. We meet up with our resident adventurer Bryon Dorr as he attends the Red Bull Rampage mountain bike freeride competition. It’s a wild time on (and off) pedal driven two-wheels in Virgin, Utah. Always out and about, Emily Sheff, brings us the tale of Keith and Beryl Moore, a couple that is exploring their home continent of Africa on an eight-month overlanding journey.