Marley Blonsky

As a solo female traveler, safety is always top of mind. Anytime I pull into a campground I check for the following:

• Where is the nearest bathroom?
• Where is the camp host?
• What are my neighbors and do they look sketchy?

I’ve been camping for much of my adult life, rotating setups as my desires and needs changed. From bike camping, to car camping, to a rooftop tent and now in a Vandoit, these basic precautions and listening to my gut have served me well over the years.

Living in the Vandoit: A New Sense of Security

After nearly three weeks of living out of the Vandoit, I recently had a realization about safety. I inherently think about it a lot less, especially when I’m getting ready to sleep. There are three main reasons for this:

• I can lock the doors in the Vandoit
• I can be stealthy in the van
• I’m 100% self-contained in the van and can drive away quickly if needed

Reflecting on Past Experiences: The Rooftop Tent

I wasn’t always so lucky to be in a Vandoit. In fact, last year, I went on an extended road trip in my Kia Soul with a rooftop tent. While comfortable, I was often hesitant to camp due to safety concerns. When the rooftop tent is set up, it’s plainly obvious to anyone and everyone that someone is sleeping up there. If, for some reason, I needed to leave quickly, I simply couldn’t, as taking down the tent took at least ten minutes (on a good day.)

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Enjoying the Journey

Living out of the Vandoit has significantly eased my safety concerns as a solo female traveler, allowing me to focus more on the joys of the journey rather than the potential dangers. The ability to lock the doors, stay stealthy, and quickly move if necessary has brought a newfound peace of mind to my camping experiences.

While my rooftop tent provided many great memories, the Vandoit offers a level of security and convenience that truly enhances my sense
of freedom and adventure. It’s a reminder that, while my setup might change, prioritizing safety and listening to our instincts remain constant keys to a fun, safe, and secure travel experience.

Preparing for the Journey

I leave in two days for the adventure of a lifetime—a six-week road trip in a customized, absolutely incredible Vandoit. My mobile home for the trip is currently parked in my driveway, and all day, I’ve been shuttling my essentials into the van, searching for the perfect place to organize each item. Pot and pan in this drawer, Daisy Mae’s food in the Dometic fridge, shoes in the storage tower. In all likelihood, I’ll rearrange everything a million times before I figure out a system, but that’s all part of the fun, right?

I’ve taken road trips before. In fact, last year I went on an almost identical itinerary. Last time, however, I took the trip in my Kia Soul, sleeping in a rooftop tent. While it was quite the adventure, as a solo female traveler, I often felt vulnerable and exposed.

In the rooftop tent, it was clearly obvious that someone was sleeping up there. If I needed to leave quickly, I simply couldn’t. The tent took at least ten minutes to take down, with multiple steps and processes. In my Kia Soul, I was also very limited in terms of creature comforts. The back was filled to the brim with All Bodies on Bikes equipment, requiring a constant shuffling of gear.

The Vandoit, even though it’s clearly branded with All Bodies on Bikes and my sponsors, provides a level of safety and security I did not have last year. Real doors. Real windows. Locks. I’m going into this trip feeling confident that whether I’m sleeping in a designated campground or off-the-grid, I’ll be safe and secure inside.

The Top 5 Things I Am Excited About

To say I’m excited about this adventure in the Vandoit would be a vast understatement—I am over the moon. Here are the top five things I’m excited about:

1. Taking Daisy Mae with Me

Daisy Mae is my 14-year-old pup who is happiest when she is by my side, but with any trip of this nature, there will of course be times I need to venture without her. With the air conditioner, rooftop vent, and remote temperature visibility with Waggle, I can feel confident knowing that she’s safe and happy in the Vandoit.

2. Recording Episodes of the All Bodies on Bikes Podcast

My Vandoit is fully equipped to work from, with a full desk setup including a second monitor. The van also has a swivel passenger seat and a folding desk, making a perfect setup for a podcast guest to sit in and be interviewed! I’ve got five episodes lined up to be recorded as a special “Road Trip Edition” of the All Bodies on Bikes podcast and can’t wait to test the setup.

3. Living Like a Minimalist

I have a lot of stuff—as a sponsored athlete and influencer, I’m constantly being sent new gear and clothing. While an awesome perk of my job, lots of stuff is not the name of the game for van life. For this trip, I’m doing my best to live as minimally as possible. I’ve narrowed my ridiculous wardrobe down to what fits in a small duffle bag, am only taking four pairs of shoes, and two coffee mugs. Time will tell if I made good choices!

4. Showcasing the Vandoit at Stops Along the Way

My road trip is built around a number of gravel bike races, where I’ll get to showcase my custom van for anyone to see. At nearly all of these, there is an expo before the race, where I’ll be setting up the All Bodies on Bikes booth with the Vandoit, welcoming curious attendees to come inside and experience the magic of the Vandoit for themselves! I’m hopeful that this will spark both curiosity and conversation!

5. Returning Home to the Pacific Northwest

I moved from Seattle to Arkansas a little over two years ago, only returning once to the northwest. I cannot wait to breathe in the salty air, crane my neck skywards to take in the towering trees, and dip my toes in the freezing Pacific Ocean. On this trip, I’ll be meeting up with friends along the Washington Coast, one of my all-time favorite places in the world. I absolutely cannot wait to refuel my soul in this magical wonderscape, using the Vandoit as a home base.

Two more sleeps until I hit the road, which reminds me, I should probably decide which pillow I’m taking on my trip.