The AdvenChair is a human-powered, all-terrain wheelchair designed by The Onward Project LLC to enable people with mobility challenges to explore the great outdoors. Engineered for rugged environments, the AdvenChair provides access to trails, switchbacks, and even creek crossings—places typically inaccessible with standard wheelchairs. Its ergonomic design includes a removable front wheel, making it easy to maneuver indoors or disassemble for transport. Built with premium mountain bike components, the AdvenChair ensures stability, durability, and comfort on any terrain, giving users the freedom to enjoy adventures with family and friends. Assembled in Bend, Oregon, by a dedicated volunteer team, each AdvenChair is a testament to craftsmanship and innovation.
To further expand outdoor access, AdvenChair has partnered with Wanderlust Tours, offering guided tours that open up Central Oregon’s most stunning landscapes to adventurers of all abilities. So far, the AdvenChair has enabled adventurers to visit iconic locations such as Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, and the Camino de Fatima in Portugal, proving that mobility should never be a barrier to experiencing the outdoors.
The AdvenChair Origin Story
The AdvenChair was born from Geoff Babb’s unwavering determination to reclaim his connection to the outdoors, despite the profound challenges he faced after a life-altering stroke. In 2005, Geoff—a passionate backpacker, climber, and mountain biker—suffered a near-fatal brainstem stroke, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair with limited use of one hand. His first attempt to visit a local park in a standard wheelchair ended in frustration and a faceplant as the front wheels snagged on a crack in the pavement. That moment was a turning point for Geoff and his wife, Yvonne, inspiring them to design a wheelchair that could conquer the trails they loved.
With the help of Dale Neubauer, a close friend and helicopter mechanic, Geoff modified his basic wheelchair by adding thicker tires, hand brakes, and a detachable front wheel. The makeshift “AdvenChair 1.0” gave him the freedom to explore places like Smith Rock State Park, Mt. Bachelor, Crater Lake, and Mt. Rainier National Park with his family. However, the real test came in 2016 on the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon. After navigating water crossings and rugged terrain, the prototype’s axle snapped less than two miles in. While the trip was cut short, the experience made it clear that the world needed a more durable, adventure-ready wheelchair.
Determined to create a wheelchair that could keep up with the demands of serious adventures, Geoff teamed up with CAD designer Jack Arnold to develop the AdvenChair 2.0. This next-generation model featured an adjustable sit-ski seat, 27.5-inch mountain bike wheels, and high-grade aluminum components. With CushCore inner tire suspension and a versatile design, the new AdvenChair offered both comfort and control, allowing users to tackle steep, rocky, or uneven terrain with ease.
How AdvenChair is Paving the Way for Inclusive Adventures
Built with premium mountain bike components—including CushCore inner tire suspension systems, large tires, hand brakes, and ergonomic handlebars—the AdvenChair glides across rough terrain with the performance of a mountain bike, giving users the opportunity to experience the outdoors in ways that standard wheelchairs cannot.
Through its partnership with Wanderlust Tours, AdvenChair offers guided outdoor adventures in some of Central Oregon’s most beautiful locations, ensuring that nature is accessible to everyone. These tours include a scenic hike at Smith Rock State Park, where participants can wander along canyon rims or descend into the crooked river canyon to scout for otters and osprey. At Lava Lands National Monument, visitors explore ancient lava flows and watch the sun set behind the Cascades before turning their gaze to the starry sky. Another tour along the Deschutes River Trail at Benham Falls offers stunning views of the river’s transformation from calm waters to raging rapids over ancient lava flows. In the fall, participants can enjoy a serene hike through Shevlin Park along Tumalo Creek, immersing themselves in Central Oregon’s rich ecosystem teeming with seasonal flora and fauna.
How You Can Support AdvenChair
You can support AdvenChair’s mission by spreading the word about the power of outdoor accessibility, booking a tour with Wanderlust Tours, or purchasing a chair to empower someone in your community. Additionally, by supporting The Onward Project, LLC, you become part of a movement that redefines what is possible for people with mobility challenges, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to experience the beauty and freedom of the natural world.
