Have you heard of the Roaming Rally Explorers Edition? Maybe not, and if so, we’ll explain what it’s all about in a minute. But if you have, and you want to attend, you’d better register soon – the cutoff date is Thursday.
The Roaming Rally Explorers Edition is an offshoot of the Roaming Rally, an event that’s run by the good folks over at GravelTravel.ca. You might remember the stories we’ve run about the Trans Canada Adventure Trail – these are the same people responsible.
Like the original Roaming Rally, the new-for-2014 Explorers Edition gets riders out on the trails, navigating along gravel trails by day, camping at night. The original Roaming Rally was designed for 400-690 cc dual sport bikes, though, and the Explorer Edition was designed for bigger adventure bikes – think BMW’s R 1200 GS. It’s also a bit cushier, as there’s an overnight stay in a lodge, instead of straight camping through the whole event. Like the original Roaming Rally, this event is just for fun.
Participants will ride the rally in teams of no less than three, no more than six, and it takes place in western Quebec this year. The $192 entry fee gets you registered into the rally, a decal for your bike, a shirt and one night’s stay in the lodge (including dinner and breakfast). Riders check in on May 22, and the rally itself runs May 23-25. You can find out more about the Explorers Edition rally here.
Also new for 2014, Gravel Travel is kickstarting the Canadian Rally Challenge. This is a two-day roadbook rally that will run in early October, in eastern Ontario. Competitors can expect 600+ kms of riding per day. There will be one biouvac for all the riders, to keep costs down. There will be timed special sections, with liasons along paved and gravel roads. Basically, it’s a mini-Dakar, with very limited entry. If you’re interested, find more details here.
Gravel Travel will also be running the original Roaming Rally this year, with check-in on May 8 and rally dates of May 9-11. Rules are similar to the Explorers Edition, but it’s only $78 to enter. More information is here.
I think it’s at Shubenacadie CDN superbike. I rode to all 5 nationals last summer. There was a CMG pamphlet on my bike after the race and the long grass on the old RC track gives it away.
I did indeed shoot this at Shubie. Loved the moose sticker! If you think the KLR is ratty, you ain’t seen my DR650 …
I’m curious the photo is of my ratty but trusty KLR. Where and when was this taken? This bike and rider won the Orange Crush 2014 with Team Moto X KLR. Mr Arris has been to my shop in Laval
Says 400cc minimum, but anyone know if the Roaming Rally version could be done on a suitably prepped Yamaha WR250R? If there are no long high-speed sections and it’s mostly technical riding, seems like the limiting factor is being able to carry enough fuel and gear on the smaller bike.