How to Prepare for 24 Hours of Appalachia: The Official Participant Guide

A 24 Hours of Appalachia event is unlike a traditional off-road ride or trail run. It is a long-distance endurance and navigation challenge designed to test preparation, efficiency, teamwork, decision-making, and the ability to keep moving through the backroads and rugged terrain of Appalachia.

These events are competitive, but they are not speed contests. Participants travel on a combination of public roads, gravel roads, forest roads, trails, and authorized private property. All traffic laws, posted restrictions, land-use rules, and event regulations must be followed at all times.

Whether you are participating on a dual-sport or adventure motorcycle, ATV, UTV, SUV, or truck, the most successful teams are rarely the ones trying to travel the fastest. They are the teams that arrive prepared, navigate accurately, protect their equipment, manage fatigue, and avoid preventable mistakes.

This official guide will help you prepare for your next 24 Hours of Appalachia event.

Start With the Event-Specific Rules

Not every 24HOA event offers the same vehicle classes, terrain, route format, or equipment requirements.

Depending on the event, available classes may include:

Dual-sport and adventure motorcycles
Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive ATVs
Side-by-sides and UTVs
Full-size SUVs and trucks

Some events use a continuous route, while others use laps, stages, waypoints, or scavenger-hunt-style navigation. Tire-size requirements, passenger requirements, protective equipment, starting procedures, and permitted vehicle types may also vary.

Always review the official event listing, participant guide, rulebook, and pre-event communications for the event you are attending. Event-specific requirements take precedence over this general preparation guide.

Complete Your Registration and Annual Waiver

Every driver, rider, navigator, crew member, and volunteer must complete the required participant waiver before taking part in an event.

The 2027 Annual Participant Waiver covers sanctioned 24 Hours of Appalachia activities through December 31, 2027, including events held in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and other states where an official 24HOA event may take place.

Each adult must complete the waiver individually. A purchaser or team captain cannot sign on behalf of another adult participant. A separate parent or legal-guardian agreement may be required for anyone younger than 18.

Participants may also be required to complete a short event-specific acknowledgment confirming that they:

Received the current event rules
Understand the format and location-specific risks
Have current emergency-contact information
Possess the required licenses, registration, and insurance
Are operating a properly prepared vehicle
Attended or reviewed the required participant briefing

Failure to complete the required waiver and acknowledgments may prevent you from checking in or starting the event.

Licensing, Registration, and Insurance

Unless an event’s published rules specifically state otherwise, participants should arrive with:

A valid driver’s or operator’s license
Any required motorcycle endorsement
Current vehicle registration
Proof of insurance
Any permits required for the vehicle or property being used

A GPX route, waypoint, map, or event instruction does not authorize anyone to violate traffic laws, enter closed property, bypass a posted restriction, or operate an unlicensed vehicle where licensing is required.

Participants are responsible for knowing and following the laws of every state, county, municipality, public-land system, and private property included in the event.

Understand the Route

A 24HOA route may include:

Paved public roads
Gravel and unmaintained county roads
Forest service roads
Authorized trails
Creek or water crossings
Mud, rock, sand, and loose surfaces
Steep climbs and descents
Narrow or overgrown roads
Remote areas with limited cellular coverage
Nighttime navigation
Changing weather and trail conditions

Road and trail conditions can change quickly. Storms, fallen trees, erosion, flooding, traffic, closures, construction, and land-use changes may affect a route after it has been mapped.

A route appearing in the GPX file does not guarantee that it will be open, passable, or safe when you arrive. Participants must use good judgment and be prepared to stop, turn around, or follow official rerouting instructions.

Practice With Your Navigation Equipment

Navigation is one of the most important parts of a 24 Hours of Appalachia event. Do not wait until the starting line to learn how your device works.

Participants should be able to:

Download and import a GPX file
Identify tracks, routes, and waypoints
Follow the correct track without relying on turn-by-turn directions
Recognize when they have left the intended route
Return to the route safely
Record their own track when required
Operate their device without cellular service
Keep the screen powered throughout the event

Common navigation options include LeadNav, Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, Garmin devices, and other applications capable of opening and displaying GPX files.

Download all required offline maps before arriving. Test the exact GPX file on the device you intend to use and confirm that the track and waypoints display correctly.

Whenever possible, carry a backup navigation device. A second phone, GPS unit, charging cable, power bank, or printed overview map can prevent a simple equipment failure from ending your event.

Your navigation equipment should be securely mounted where it can be viewed without interfering with safe vehicle operation.

Prepare for Self-Recovery

Participants must be capable of handling common mechanical problems and recoveries without depending on event staff.

Event personnel may assist when practical, but 24HOA does not guarantee towing, extraction, roadside repair, fuel delivery, medical assistance, cellular coverage, or immediate emergency response. Many sections of an event may be hours away from conventional recovery services.

Depending on the vehicle and event, recommended recovery equipment includes:

A properly rated winch
Rated recovery points
Recovery straps and soft shackles
A tree-saver strap
Traction boards
A suitable jack and stable base
A shovel
Tire plugs or patches
Spare tubes for motorcycles and applicable ATV tires
An air compressor or inflation system
Valve stems and valve-core tools
Basic hand tools
Vehicle-specific spare parts
Fuses, electrical connectors, and repair wire
Zip ties, tape, and temporary repair materials
Spare fluids
A folding saw or chainsaw where lawful and appropriate

Every person carrying recovery equipment should know how to use it safely. Practice before the event. Improper recovery techniques can cause serious injury, vehicle damage, or trail obstruction.

Never stand over, beside, or directly in line with a loaded winch cable or recovery strap. Use properly rated equipment and establish clear communication before beginning a recovery.

Full-Size Vehicle Preparation

Full-size vehicles should be mechanically sound, appropriately equipped, and capable of completing the terrain identified for their class.

Inspect the following before leaving home:

Tires, including the spare
Wheel bearings
Steering components
Ball joints and suspension
Brakes and brake fluid
Engine oil and coolant
Transmission and differential fluids
Belts and hoses
Battery and charging system
Exterior lighting
Recovery points
Four-wheel-drive system
Seat belts and passenger restraints

Tire-size, locker, drivetrain, and recovery requirements may vary by event and class. Review the specific event rules before registering or modifying your vehicle.

Full-size vehicles must carry at least one properly secured five-pound fire extinguisher unless the event rules establish a greater requirement. A visible rear-facing amber or orange chase light may also be required.

All equipment inside the vehicle must be secured. Tools, coolers, batteries, recovery gear, and spare parts can become dangerous projectiles during a rollover, collision, or sudden stop.

When required by the event rules, full-size vehicles must have a driver and a separate navigator or co-driver.

ATV and UTV Preparation

ATV and UTV availability depends on the specific event and property being used. Do not assume an ATV or UTV is eligible simply because another 24HOA event offered that class.

When the class is offered, participants should inspect:

CV axles and boots
Wheel bearings
Steering and suspension
Drive belt and clutch system
Brakes
Cooling system
Air filter
Tires and spare-tire options
Battery and charging system
Lighting
Winch and recovery points
Seat belts, doors, nets, and restraints

UTVs must carry at least one properly secured five-pound fire extinguisher or two properly secured two and half pound fire extinguishers unless a greater requirement is published.

A rear-facing amber or orange chase light must be mounted where it remains visible to approaching traffic. Headlights, brake lights, and tail lights must function properly.

DOT-approved helmets and appropriate eye protection are required for UTV occupants unless the event’s published rules specifically provide otherwise. ATV riders must use the protective equipment identified in the event rules listed below for motorcycle riders.

When required, UTVs must have a driver and a separate navigator or co-driver.

Motorcycle Preparation

Dual-sport and adventure motorcycles must be suitable for the event, legally operable on the roads included in the route, and equipped for extended travel through difficult terrain.

Before the event, inspect:

Tires and tire pressure
Tubes, rim locks, or tubeless repair equipment
Wheels and spokes
Chain and sprockets
Brakes
Wheel bearings
Steering-head bearings
Suspension
Engine oil and coolant
Battery and charging system
Headlight, brake light, and tail light
Handguards
Skid plate and protective components
Luggage racks and tie-down points

Motorcycles should have off-road-capable tires appropriate for mud, gravel, rock, pavement, and changing weather. Tire requirements may vary by event.

Motorcycles must have a legal and compliant exhaust system, including a USFS-approved spark arrestor when required. Excessively loud motorcycles may be denied participation where event or land-use rules establish a sound limit.

Each rider should carry:

A spare tube or tubeless repair kit
Tire irons and inflation equipment
Basic tools
Spare controls or repair items appropriate to the motorcycle
Water and food
First-aid supplies
Navigation equipment
Charging equipment
Emergency communication equipment
Additional insulating or waterproof layers

Required and Recommended Personal Safety Equipment

Every participant should carry or wear protective equipment appropriate to their vehicle, class, and role.

Motorcycle and ATV riders should use:

A DOT-approved helmet
Goggles or safety glasses
Gloves
Over-the-ankle or full-length riding boots
Long pants
A long-sleeved jersey or jacket
Armor appropriate to the terrain and conditions

UTV occupants should use:

DOT-approved helmets
Eye protection
Factory or approved restraints
Doors or safety nets
Clothing appropriate for weather exposure

Full-size vehicle occupants must wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.

All participants should carry:

A properly stocked first-aid kit
Necessary prescription medications
Emergency-contact information
Rain protection
Warm layers
High-visibility or reflective equipment
A flashlight or headlamp
Emergency food and water

Communications

Do not depend solely on a cell phone. Many 24HOA routes travel through areas with limited or nonexistent cellular coverage.

A GMRS radio is required for some vehicle classes or events. Participants should know how to:

Select the correct channel
Adjust the volume and squelch
Communicate clearly and briefly
Provide a vehicle number and location
Relay information through another team
Keep the radio powered throughout the event

Check the event guide for official channels and communication procedures.

A satellite communicator or personal locator device is also worth considering for remote events. Understand how to use it before the event and keep it accessible—not buried beneath other equipment.

Lighting and Electrical Power

A 24-hour endurance event requires reliable lighting. Even events that begin during daylight may continue through the night or into poor weather.

Check all headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, instrument lights, and chase lights. Aim auxiliary lighting properly so it improves visibility without blinding other participants or motorists.

Bring enough charging capacity for:

Navigation devices
Phones
Radios
Helmet communication systems
Cameras
Satellite communicators
Headlamps

Protect charging cables from vibration, water, dust, and sharp edges. Test your entire electrical setup during a long ride or drive before the event.

Food, Water, and Fatigue Management

Endurance events are physically and mentally demanding. Fatigue affects judgment, reaction time, navigation, and communication.

Begin hydrating several days before the event. Carry more water than you expect to need and drink consistently rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

Choose food that is easy to store, easy to eat, and familiar to your body. A good event supply may include:

Water and electrolyte drinks
Sandwiches or wraps
Fruit
Nuts
Protein snacks
Energy bars
Simple carbohydrates
A planned meal during longer stops

Do not attempt to replace sleep with excessive energy drinks. Large amounts of caffeine may contribute to dehydration, stomach discomfort, elevated heart rate, and a harder energy crash later.

Eat normally and sensibly in the days before the event. Avoid experimenting with unfamiliar foods, supplements, or extreme diets immediately before starting.

If you become too tired to operate safely, stop. No score, waypoint, or finishing position is worth risking your life or the safety of another person.

Teamwork and Role Management

A successful team communicates before problems occur.

Before starting, determine:

Who is responsible for primary navigation
Who monitors time, fuel, and range
Who handles radio communication
Who leads recoveries
Where emergency equipment is stored
How the team will respond to injury or mechanical failure
When the team will stop for food, fuel, or rest
What conditions will cause the team to withdraw

Navigators should provide instructions early and clearly. Drivers and riders should speak up when visibility, fatigue, terrain, or vehicle condition creates a concern.

Teams should never stop in a way that blocks the route. If you must pull over, move completely out of the active travel path whenever it is safe and lawful to do so. Avoid creating bottlenecks, particularly on hills, narrow trails, water crossings, or technical sections.

Fuel Planning

Never assume that a fuel station shown on an old map or navigation app will be open when you arrive.

Before the event:

Determine your vehicle’s realistic off-road fuel range
Identify official or recommended fuel locations
Confirm hours of operation
Account for nighttime closures
Plan for increased fuel consumption in mud, low range, steep terrain, or extended idling
Carry fuel only in lawful, approved, and properly secured containers

Do not wait until the fuel warning light appears to begin looking for fuel.

Respect Communities, Property, and Other Road Users

The future of 24 Hours of Appalachia depends on responsible participants.

While traveling through host communities:

Obey posted speed limits
Slow down near homes, businesses, livestock, pedestrians, and horses
Reduce noise whenever possible
Do not spin tires or damage roads
Do not litter
Stay off closed or unauthorized property
Respect gates and posted signs
Yield appropriately
Support local fuel stations, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, and businesses
Treat residents, volunteers, landowners, and other road users respectfully

These events are designed to generate positive economic impact and support communities throughout Appalachia. Every participant represents 24HOA and Backroads of Appalachia.

One reckless decision can damage relationships that took years to build.

What to Do During a Mechanical Problem or Emergency

If your vehicle becomes disabled:

Move completely out of the active route when possible.
Make yourself visible to approaching traffic.
Account for everyone in your vehicle or team.
Assess injuries before attempting repairs or recovery.
Contact emergency services immediately for a life-threatening situation.
Provide your location, vehicle number, route section, and condition.
Notify event personnel using the published communication procedure.
Do not place yourself or others in additional danger attempting a recovery.

Event staff should never be treated as a replacement for emergency services. In a serious emergency, call 911 or activate your emergency communication device first.

The Final Pre-Event Checklist

Before leaving for the event, confirm that you have:

Completed registration
Signed the annual participant waiver
Completed any event-specific acknowledgment
Read the current participant guide and rules
Attended or reviewed the required briefing
Downloaded and tested the GPX file
Downloaded offline maps
Prepared a backup navigation option
Verified licenses, registration, insurance, and permits
Inspected your vehicle or motorcycle
Tested your lights and charging system
Packed required safety and recovery equipment
Secured every item in or on the vehicle
Confirmed fuel range and fuel stops
Packed food, water, and weather-appropriate clothing
Tested radios and emergency communications
Updated your emergency contact
Discussed responsibilities with your team
Arrived rested and ready to make responsible decisions

Preparation Is What Gets You to the Finish

The 24 Hours of Appalachia is meant to challenge you. Conditions will change. Navigation mistakes will happen. Equipment may fail. Weather can turn a manageable road into a serious obstacle.

The goal is not to overpower the course or travel at unsafe speeds. The goal is to manage the entire experience efficiently and responsibly.

Prepare your vehicle. Practice your navigation. Learn your recovery equipment. Take care of your team. Respect the communities and properties that make the event possible.

Do those things well, and you will give yourself the best opportunity to complete one of America’s most memorable endurance navigation challenges.

We will see you on the backroads.