24 Hours of Appalachia Rally - 45 rigs started but only 10 finished

We just completed the toughest ride in our life in a 2021 2Dr Badlands (with Wildtrak 35s). This event pushed the limits of adventure while raising funds for the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, Buckhorn Children & Family Services, and Backroads of Appalachia [https://backroadsofappalachia.org/].

45 rigs started (along with +/- 50 motos and SXS), but only 10 rigs finished (we were the only Bronco to finish). We drove 429.2 miles in 25 hours (we officially were under 24 hours because of challenges that were optional during the rally).

Total ascent was 23,812 ft; we only stopped for less than 2 hours, so we were moving for over 23 hours straight. Our average moving speed was 18.4 mph that included rock gardens/shelves, loads of black Kentucky mud, gravel/asphalt that were part of the the DBBB [https://ridethedbbb.org/].

Over 20 rigs were out after 150 miles, 10 more fell out after the second lap. The Bronco made it through every obstacle and only needed to be winched up a ledge or out of some mud a few times. If you want to challenge you and your rig, these Kentucky trails are the place to have fun and see how great these rigs are made. Truly an amazing experience in the best off-road vehicle made today.







Backroads of Appalachia is dedicated to sparking economic growth in the region through motorsports and tourism, supporting local communities while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Appalachia.

Bumping this because I'm tired of seeing nonsense threads asking if people knew their headrests fold blow up while something cool and impressive like this gains zero traction.

I've volunteered for the Appalachian Tarmac Rally and Bristol Forest rally around the Bristol TN area a couple times and really enjoyed it. It was an awesome group of people, and really cool having the opportunity to bring more motorsport related events into the area (that aren't oval track or drag racing).

All that aside, what's the deal with the orange chain draped across your front end? Is the wire a winch controller?

Thank you for posting. Would love to see more pictures and some more stories of your adventure. Living in Texas I am envious of those who have close access to such beautiful off road areas.

BobbySaggz said:

Bumping this because I'm tired of seeing nonsense threads asking if people knew their headrests fold blow up while something cool and impressive like this gains zero traction.

I've volunteered for the Appalachian Tarmac Rally and Bristol Forest rally around the Bristol TN area a couple times and really enjoyed it. It was an awesome group of people, and really cool having the opportunity to bring more motorsport related events into the area (that aren't oval track or drag racing).

All that aside, what's the deal with the orange chain draped across your front end? Is the wire a winch controller?

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The orange chain was our recovery gear! (Not really. Most of us decorated the rigs for Halloween and had a trick or treat event with the local community). The black wire is the winch wire. We had just tugged a rough area and want to be prepared if there was another one close by.
Thanks for bumping. I’m glad to share highlights of what these rigs can do off-road.

Very cool, congrats on completing the event! Question from looking it up, to sign up it state you must have completed a previous 24HOA event, which other event did you do? It is something that interests me to possibly do in the future. Thanks!

Deadpool392 said:

Very cool, congrats on completing the event! Question from looking it up, to sign up it state you must have completed a previous 24HOA event, which other event did you do? It is something that interests me to possibly do in the future. Thanks!

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This is my 5th 24 Hour event. Completed two (WV x2), failed one (KY24), and totaled my first Bronco during one.

The full schedule is here:


Look into it and let me know if you have any questions.

This is awesome, thanks for sharing. Which event did you total your black diamond during? Do you think you could have completed this one without the added badlands goodies?

MannyG20 said:

Thank you for posting. Would love to see more pictures and some more stories of your adventure. Living in Texas I am envious of those who have close access to such beautiful off road areas.

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Living in Ohio, we have some good trails in our state, but the crown jewels are West Virginia and Kentucky. We are so lucky they are close by. The Danial Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB) has over 100 miles of roads and trails alone https://ridethedbbb.org/

You can check out the Facebook page for a lot more photos and videos:
https://www.facebook.com/24hoursofappalachia

Our wrap-up podcast will be posted here in the next few days (we just recorded it last night):

I have been trying to find time to run one of these just need to get it on the schedule, I run with the Backroads of Appalachia group for hill climb racing.

Someguy said:

This is awesome, thanks for sharing. Which event did you total your black diamond during? Do you think you could have completed this one without the added badlands goodies?

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I hit ice on an asphalt road and ran into a utility pole (stupid). The only apparent damage was the front quarter panel, mirror, and hood. Truck ran fine. Ended up being some deflection in the passenger A-pillar, so they totaled it. The only thing missing from the 4Dr-BD was the sway bar disconnect and front lockers. I had lifted it and 35s installed.

The Badlands is a lot more fun to drive with the smaller size and the manual and the front lockers/disconnect add to the capabilities. We actually have it in 2H for most of the trip unless we really need 4H/4L (read locker weeks in 2H, so that helps sometimes if were slipping).

BobbySaggz said:

Bumping this because I'm tired of seeing nonsense threads asking if people knew their headrests fold blow up while something cool and impressive like this gains zero traction.

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Totally agree. This is Fantastic!

It looks a lot like south of there at royal blue and windrock

That looks really cool, but I know my stamina would run out WAY before my Bronco...

I'm down in SE Ohio, any good Bronco-worthy trails around that you know of? Wifie & I are into scenery more than technical challenges, so we just cruise around the back roads, forest roads, park roads, etc.. . Some of the township roads down here will make some trails blush!

DALOLA said:

That looks really cool, but I know my stamina would run out WAY before my Bronco...

I'm down in SE Ohio, any good Bronco-worthy trails around that you know of? Wifie & I are into scenery more than technical challenges, so we just cruise around the back roads, forest roads, park roads, etc.. . Some of the township roads down here will make some trails blush!

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Lot of the Ohio trails are pretty intense, but there are plenty of gravel/backroads in SE Ohio. Checkout the trails on OnX app,

sanford said:

This is my 5th 24 Hour event. Completed two (WV x2), failed one (KY24), and totaled my first Bronco during one.

The full schedule is here:

Look into it and let me know if you have any questions.

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Thanks!