Robin Brooks – Ladies Offroad Challenge Featured Entry

Robin Brooks
Oklahoma City, OK

"Robin Brooks, Oklahoma City, OK – Robin is fairly new to off-roading. She has played at a local off-road park and gone on two trips: Rendezvous in the Ozarks where it was mostly trail driving. Second, Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah where she got extremely out of her comfort zone! She has installed: a winch on her husband's FJ Cruiser, rock sliders on her Tacoma, ditch lights, a CB radio, and is wanting to learn so she can maintain her own vehicle. She enjoy fitness, camping, overlanding, hiking, anything outdoors and active. She is getting out of her comfort zone to experience new events and activities while proving to herself that she is capable of doing anything she puts her mind to!"

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Tell us about yourself:

Hello, my name is Robin, I am 44 years young and let me tell you 40’s are the new 20’s! I am one that has spent most of her life just existing until I met my husband in 2012. Since then I have been LIVING and LOVING life! I love fitness, camping, fishing, off-roading, canoeing, anything outdoors really. To get away and disconnect from the everyday life enjoying each other and nature is so important. I have only been off-roading as driver since August of 2017. Prior to that I was passenger with my husband Christopher.

Our first overlanding style trip was to Phoenix, AZ to pick up our Turtleback overland trailer. While there we saw the Grand Canyon, and attended Overland Expo West 2016 which we got to use our new trailer. Let me tell you, it makes camping so much more fun!!

This last August we took our first big overlanding adventure, it was a week and a half long trip where we camped in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska. I got to see Devils Tower, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and ended the trip watching the Solar Eclipse. Taking the backroads and seeing these sights is something everyone should do!

My first off-road trip in my own vehicle, with my husband in his FJ was this last fall, we went to Rendezvous in the Ozarks. OMG so much fun! It was a different experience for us since I wasn’t in the FJ with him. We both have CB radios and that was how we communicated. I never thought I would enjoy having my own rig. To be able to do the driving in that environment has opened a whole new world for me! I want to experience everything possible! You only have one life make it AMAZING!

How long have you been offroading? 

I started off-roading in 2014 as a passenger in my husband's FJ Cruiser. August 2017, I purchased my own off-road vehicle and have been driver since!

How did you get into offroading?

My husband and I love the outdoors and enjoy camping. We started off-roading in 2014 and fell in love with this new hobby! We then discovered overlanding and purchased a Turtleback Trailer that allowed us to go anywhere on our camping adventures. Christopher encouraged me to learn what I could in hopes that I would want my own rig. I did an obstacle course at the Texas Motor Speedway in 2017 and had so much fun! A few months later I attended the 2017 Ladies Offroad Convention and that sealed the deal! As soon as I got back I purchased my Tacoma and have been getting out as much as possible.

Tell us about your vehicle:

I absolutely love my 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-road. It has BFGoodrich K02 tires, Fuel Recoil wheels, ProComp 3/2 level kit, Addictive Desert Designs Honeybadger front bumper, WARN Winch, BudBuilt rock sliders, Lazer Star ditch lights with SDHQ mounts. I installed the Rock sliders and ditch lights myself. I will continue to do all possible mods myself. I think learning my truck and getting my hands dirty is so important. Just like a Momma bonding with her baby, I am bonding with my Tacoma by doing all the work myself. She is my baby after all!

What has been your favorite offroad experience?

Hands down my trip to Moab, Utah during Easter Jeep Safari! The road trip getting there with my friend Jessy was great fun! We got to experience so much by getting off the main road! We drove across the desert to Ship Rock and discovered a hidden view at Angel Point. Once in Moab, I was challenged by the natural terrain! There were so many OMG and YES, I DID IT moments! This is a trip I will NEVER forget!

What was your most exciting offroad achievement?

While in Moab, my friend Heidi with Outlaw Jeeps Adventures took us out on the trail Fins & Things. We were behind a group of guys that had a hard time getting up one of the inclines. Once they were all on top they parked and got out of their rigs to watch us. Heidi got to the top and waited on me to get in position so she could guide me up. I started climbing and hit my trailer hitch. These guys started yelling how I was going to have to be winched out and how bad I was stuck. I stopped, regrouped myself, turned on my rear locker and hit the crawl control button! STRAIGHT TO THE TOP I WENT! The looks on their faces were priceless and I was flying high!!!

What excites you about offroading?

Getting off the beaten path is like a breath of fresh air, but being able to complete the technical challenges is a true rush! To push yourself out of your comfort zone and see exactly what you and your rig are capable of is an incredible feeling. I am still learning and each time I accomplish something on my own I get that great sense of pride!

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of offroading?

A big challenge is not having the time to get off-road like I want! Also, where I live we are very limited to where we can get off the beaten path. It's so sad that so many off-road areas are being shut down due to people disrespecting the land. I think the biggest challenge would be recovery/ trail repair. I haven't had any personal experiences yet, so when that time comes it will be a major learning experience!

Which aspect of offroading do you think is the most fun?

Every outing is a new adventure! You're making memories! When you have those amazing moments of accomplishments well, those are PRICELESS.

What does prepping for an adventure look like in your world?

Making a list and checking it twice!

What is on your offroading bucket list?

Rebelle Rally, Continental Divide,  Rubicon Trail and Death Valley

Tell us about who you go offroading with:

My wonderful husband Christopher Brooks. We have so much fun just getting away, disconnecting and getting out in nature. I also enjoy getting out with my fellow off-road lady friends! I learn so much from their experience.

What is a piece of advice you have been given that you instill in your offroading adventures?

Always get out of your comfort zone; if you don't try it you won't know if you can do it! Slow and steady wins the prize! You can do anything you put your mind too!

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

I want to give my family and friends a big thank you for your encouraging words during this journey! To my husband Christopher, I love you more than words can say! I wouldn't be on this amazing adventure without your motivational push! Charlene, you are an incredible woman and thank you so much for creating this community showing women that they can achieve anything they want to do!

Click here to see all the 2018 Ladies Offroad Challenge Entries.