On the cool Saturday morning of April 25, 2026, we arrived at the DARE event for a two-day experience. The sun began to peek through the trees at Experience Island in Loon op Zand. We walked in just as the first cups of coffee were being poured and fresh croissants were being handed out to everyone. The air carried a mix of damp earth, lake water, and the faint scent of gasoline. The sound of knobby tires crunching on asphalt and the dark rumble of exhausts filled the air.

Riders were parking their bikes on the terrain right in front of the entrance to the track. These were the riders who had secured a trail pass so they could also ride on the 8km track today. You could see a mix of nervous energy and genuine excitement on their faces. Just outside the gate, plenty of other bikes were already lined up as well.

We could feel the energy building as more adventure bikes rolled into the park. Some bikes carried the dust and scratches of previous adventures, while others were polished as if they had just left the showroom. It was the perfect start to a weekend dedicated to the art of offroad riding. We were there to see what the Dutch Adventure Ride Experience was all about.

What is DARE?
DARE is a two-day adventure riding event. The organizers designed it to deliver an experience that resonates with the spirit of exploration. Whether you ride open asphalt or breathe dust on the offroad trails, this is the place to be. You can bring your own adventure bike, dual-sport, or scrambler and experience a unique event. You can test your machine on the track with a trail pass or sharpen your skills on the training beach.

As we explored the grounds, it became clear that the event was about more than just the riding itself. Walking through the paddock, we noticed a great variety of well known brands with their own stands. There was plenty of new clothing and gear to check out. Several motorcycle travel companies were there to inspire your next adventure. Major motorcycle names like Honda, CFmoto, KTM, Kove, Aprilia, and Yamaha were all present with their latest models, which were also available for testing.

Adventure Talks
Beyond the brand stands, the DARE program had plenty of activities for everyone to get involved in. We noticed people heading into technical workshops to sharpen their skills. They were also gathering for the “Adventure Talks” where a long list of travelers shared stories that made us want to gear up for a trip right then and there.

The lineup was impressive: LNR Moto, Julie Hauser, Francesca D’Alonzo, Paolo Secomandi, Stewe_MK, Niclas, Martin Brons, Anja.moto, Lola Zopfi, Willemijn Uil, Agustin Ostos, and Rogier de Bruijn.

Pro Rider Demonstrations
After we had ridden a lap on the track ourselves (more on this later), we headed down to the beach. The pro rider demonstrations were exactly what we had been looking forward to. It was a show of pure skill and power on the beach. They pushed their machines to the absolute limit. Sand was flying everywhere while the crowd cheered for more. Seeing these professionals in action was a massive highlight. It got us stoked and ready to jump back on our own bikes for some more laps on the track!

The pro rider lineup featured Pol Tarrés, Kirian Mirabet, Jacopo Cerruti, Martim Carreira Ventura, Greg Gordinne, Trophy Remy, and Rally Joop.

The mix of high-octane action and the social festival spirit
made the day a true highlight for everyone.

The track!
Now for the absolute highlight of the weekend: the track! If you were lucky enough to snag a Trail Pass in the presale, which sold out lightning fast, you were in for something special. DARE took place at Experience Island in Loon op Zand, and the main attraction was a massive 8km dirttrack loop circling the lake. This is what makes the event truly unique: a place where you can really test your skills alongside a group of like-minded riders.

And it was a total blast! Walking through the paddock, you could see that everyone was fired up. There were massive smiles everywhere you looked, along with plenty of red, sweaty faces from pushing it hard on the track. Friends were giving each other high fives and eagerly sharing their best moments from the session. We talked to riders of all levels, from total beginners to advanced riders, and everyone agreed: an event like this in the Netherlands is absolutely unparalleled.

Everyone was there to have a good time and help each other out.

The track itself was a real challenge, mostly consisting of sand. While some sections were firm, others had you riding through the thick dust clouds of the rider in front of you. Even though the sand is a challenge, they laid out accessible routes for truly everyone while also including serious advanced sections that pushed even the pros. From tight forest trails and bridges to long stretches where you could really pick up speed, high hills, and we mean really, really high ones, and those awesome berms where you could slide through, it had it all.

Safety was also top-notch. Marshals were stationed everywhere to keep an eye on things, using flags to signal when the coast was clear or jumping in to help someone heave their bike back up after an unintentional parking session in the sand.

But honestly, the vibe among the riders was the best part. Everyone was there to have a good time and help each other out. And let’s be real, how many people can say they’ve been overtaken by Pol Tarrés himself on a track? That’s a story for the books! Want to see the track? A video coming right here soon!

Join the Adventure
We want to thank the team at DARE for hosting such a vibrant weekend for the adventure community. If you are ready to test your skills and enjoy the paddock life yourself, keep an eye on their upcoming dates. While you cannot buy tickets just yet, rumor has it that there might be something else in store later this year, so follow DARE on Instagram to stay on top of it! If not, then we will definitely see you there next year right?!
Find all the official details and ticket info at DARE.

Photo Gallery
We couldn’t just enjoy the ride without capturing some of the action! We grabbed our cameras, headed over to the start of the track, and took a ton of photos of riders heading out into the dirt. Were you out there tearing it up? Take a look at our photo gallery below and see if you can spot yourself among the dust clouds!