Photos by Steve Shannon
KTM organizes adventure rallies in many different countries around the world, some of which include Australia, New Zealand, the U.S.A., Europe, and Canada. These navigational rallies are becoming increasingly popular, especially here, and this year, KTM Canada brought its rally to Quebec. Three friends and I formed a team and made the nine-hour drive to the Quebec wilderness to participate with 26 other teams on a two-day adventure that is one of the most challenging rides one can imagine.
This rally used the terrain northeast of Montreal that is full of natural beauty and laced with gravel roads, single-track trails, and sandy logging roads that are all perfect for letting loose on adventure bikes.
The challenge is straightforward: Over a two-day period, two to four-person teams follow their GPS track as closely as possible, and the team with the nearest to perfect accumulated distance wins the coveted title. Two classes separate the riders: Route 1 is what I would describe as a serious off-road test and Route 2 uses the many kilometres of two-track dirt and paved roads, as well as the many smooth and wide gravel roads the region offers to challenge the navigational skills of the riders.
“The goal of the KTM Adventure Rally is to unite like-minded adventurers for a weekend of comradery and riding new terrain on their adventure motorcycles,” said KTM Canada’s marketing specialist Allison Thompson, summing up the philosophy of the rally.
“At our latest installment of the KTM Adventure Rally in Saint-Michel-Des-Saints, Que., we knew that whether participants were exploring the deep, challenging wood trails or touring gravel roads with their team, the riders would feel like they were part of a bigger purpose. After both days of riding, when we welcomed riders back to the staging area, we knew by the enormous smiles and laughter that our mission had been completed.”
After two full days of riding more than 500 kilometres, we had our fill of fun and excitement. We left our hosts with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing we completed the challenge and we made new friends and reconnected with old acquaintances. In my mind, these are all the signs of a successful weekend. We can’t wait until next year.
