History of the Off-Road Wheelchair

The journey so far.

They say those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it. We like to think that learning from our history will enable us to make it in the outdoor recreation and adaptive sports industries. Back in 2005, Geoff Babb certainly wouldn’t have foreseen himself as an entrepreneur developing an all-terrain wheelchair in 2020. But instead of becoming a victim of circumstances, he has chosen to follow a path that leads to a tremendous opportunity. Not just for himself, but for millions of people with disabilities like him.

Click on image to enlarge and on the arrow to see more in the timeline of the Advenchair all-terrain wheelchair.
2004—Geoff on the South Sister, Oregon.
2004—Geoff on the South Sister, Oregon.
2005—First brain-stem stroke.
2005—First brain-stem stroke.
2006—Trail challenges – even on pavement – at Smith Rock State Park, Oregon.
2006—Trail challenges – even on pavement – at Smith Rock State Park, Oregon.
2008—1st trip in what would become the AdvenChair. Catalina State Park, Arizona.
2008—1st trip in what would become the AdvenChair. Catalina State Park, Arizona.
2012—Adding the FreeWheel allowed us to access the beach.
2012—Adding the FreeWheel allowed us to access the beach.
2013—Pulling straps and handle bar on the Deschutes River Trail, Oregon.
2013—Pulling straps and handle bar on the Deschutes River Trail, Oregon.
2014—New mountain bike handle bars helped with snow travel in Bend, Oregon.
2014—New mountain bike handle bars helped with snow travel in Bend, Oregon.
2016—We sought out rough trails at Smith Rock State Park to test the chair.
2016—We sought out rough trails at Smith Rock State Park to test the chair.
2016—Pull poles helped climb on Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.
2016—Pull poles helped climb on Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.
2016—Disc brakes were critical for descending Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.
2016—Disc brakes were critical for descending Mt. Bachelor, Oregon.
2016—After months of testing and refining this chair seemed ready to take on the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Trail.
2016—After months of testing and refining this chair seemed ready to take on the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Trail.
2016—Wider tires were added for the "Big Ditch."
2016—Wider tires were added for the "Big Ditch."
2016—The team found the weak spot...2 miles into the Grand Canyon.
2016—The team found the weak spot...2 miles into the Grand Canyon.
2016—Disappointed at the Grand Canyon as the team waited for help.
2016—Disappointed at the Grand Canyon as the team waited for help.
2016—The Grand Canyon break was also the break they needed to make them think outside the box.
2016—The Grand Canyon break was also the break they needed to make them think outside the box.
2017—An inner suspension system was added to dampen shock.
2017—An inner suspension system was added to dampen shock.
2017—Evolution of the AdvenChair 2.0.
2017—Evolution of the AdvenChair 2.0.
2018—This sketch combines a sit-ski frame and bucket seat, mountain bike wheels, and a front wheel.
2018—This sketch combines a sit-ski frame and bucket seat, mountain bike wheels, and a front wheel.
2019—Oregon Governor Kate Brown visited Oregon Adaptive Sports and Geoff had the opportunity to talk about the AdvenChair.
2019—Oregon Governor Kate Brown visited Oregon Adaptive Sports and Geoff had the opportunity to talk about the AdvenChair.
2019—Kids give the new AdvenChair a good workout at Camp Ukandu.
2019—Kids give the new AdvenChair a good workout at Camp Ukandu.
2019—Successful test run at Matthieu Lakes on the PCT in Oregon.
2019—Successful test run at Matthieu Lakes on the PCT in Oregon.
2019—Geoff and the team collect a big chunk of change after winning the Bend Outdoor Worx Breakout Award.
2019—Geoff and the team collect a big chunk of change after winning the Bend Outdoor Worx Breakout Award.
2019—The entire country discovers the AdvenChair via NPR's feature story on Morning Edition.
2019—The entire country discovers the AdvenChair via NPR's feature story on Morning Edition.
Winter 2020—Geoff shows the Oregon Outdoor School Providers Gathering how to make nature accessible to disabled 5th and 6th graders.
Winter 2020—Geoff shows the Oregon Outdoor School Providers Gathering how to make nature accessible to disabled 5th and 6th graders.
Winter 2020—Geoff on an outing at Lake Cachuma, California.
Winter 2020—Geoff on an outing at Lake Cachuma, California.
Winter 2020—The Abilities Expo in Los Angeles, California
Winter 2020—The Abilities Expo in Los Angeles, California
Winter 2020—Geoff on the Sun Dial Bridge in Redding, California
Winter 2020—Geoff on the Sun Dial Bridge in Redding, California
Summer 2020—The final AdvenChair prototype gets a good test at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Summer 2020—The final AdvenChair prototype gets a good test at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Summer 2020—Musher Rachael Scdoris guides Sonny (and Geoff) on a “Dog-chairing” outing at Mt. Bachelor
Summer 2020—Musher Rachael Scdoris guides Sonny (and Geoff) on a “Dog-chairing” outing at Mt. Bachelor
Summer 2020—During a pandemic, AdvenChair outings offer a healthy respite for everyone
Summer 2020—During a pandemic, AdvenChair outings offer a healthy respite for everyone