Paying Premium? Make Sure the Ride Is Worth It

There’s no shortage of organised adventure rides popping up across the country. Social media is flooded with slick promos, drone shots, and young faces promising the ride of your life — for a premium price. And while we’re all for the next generation getting stuck into the world of ADV, there’s a growing trend that riders should be mindful of.

If you’re paying top dollar, it’s not unreasonable to expect experience, local knowledge, and a ride that's been properly tested — not just mapped out on Google and guessed at.

Some newer operators are offering rides without much real-world experience. No big kilometres under their belt. No history of running large-scale events. No runs on the board. That doesn't mean they’re bad people — far from it — but if you're looking for a well-organised, safe, and rewarding adventure, make sure you know what you're signing up for.

Here are a few things to check before handing over your hard-earned:

• Who’s behind the ride? Dig into their experience. Have they done long-distance ADV? Have they run events before?

• What’s included? Sometimes "premium" only means premium pricing. Make sure you know what support, meals, recovery, or gear is actually part of the deal.

• What’s the plan B? Experienced organisers always have backup plans. Whether it's weather issues, medical, or mechanical, seasoned operators think five steps ahead.

• Ask around. Talk to past riders, check reviews, or post in forums. Word-of-mouth is still king in the ADV world.

Adventure riding isn’t about fancy websites or matching shirts — it’s about trust, planning, and people who’ve put in the miles. So before you drop big money on an organised ride, take a minute to make sure you’re getting more than just a well-edited hype reel.

Because in the end, you want to come home with great memories — not regrets.