Roaming Rally 2022
Trucks
Welcome to the Roaming Rally! We are back for 20202!!!!
GravelTravel.ca will be hosting the Roaming Rally Classic Edition again in 2022. This will be the 10th edition of the Roaming Rally, and as you can tell by the name, we are going back to our roots! Over the years the RR has taken on many different forms, small enduro bike type riding, big bike routes, very technical routes to long distance explorers routes. Truck expedition (multi day or week) routes have also been a part of the 10 years. This year we decided to go back to the original recipe. Exploring the trails and back roads of eastern Ontario by overland trucks! The route this year will include twisty gravel, dirt backs roads, hydroline trails, and of course it wouldn't be a RR without the occasional water crossing!
For 2022 the first 2 days of the route will be very similar to last years but in reverse. Of course driving a trail in the opposite direction makes for an entirely new experience. Approx 60% of this year route utilizes trails from last year but will be traveled in the opposite direction, we are dong this because some of these trails are classics and a perfect mix of of not being too easy or difficult for overland style trucks.
The rally will take place May 26-29 with 3 days of driving, and will traverse the back roads and trails of Eastern Ontario and utilizes favorite trails from past editions as well as a few new gems.
This is not a race, it’s an overland truck route designed for participants to have fun and meet like-minded people. As the name suggests, the rally roams to a different campsite each night. This is what we believe separates it from other events. There are plenty of events out there that provide luxury accommodations and a ‘follow the leader’ type of event; however the Roaming Rally is the exact opposite of this.
Designed to be a true adventure event, it is not designed for beginners or newcomers to the sport. On the first day you will pass through a registration process, be provided with the GPS files, attend a riders meeting then you are on your own. There are no sweep vehicles, no check-in or check-out each day. Being self-reliant and well organized is crucial for your safety and enjoyment. We encourage you to not travel alone; there is safety and comradery in numbers.
What’s included?
The rally is a three day event (Friday-Sunday), and we will travel approximately 300km per day. Each night is at a different location.
The cost of the RRCE is $125 per driver and an additional $25 per passenger. This gets you registered into the rally, a decal for your truck, a rally toque (the ultimate in high Canadian fashion, known to our US cousins as a beanie).
During the initial check-in process which will take place the Thursday night before the rally begins, all participants will be required to sign a waiver form and have their truck inspected. Once the check-in process is complete, a decal will be provided that should be applied to your truck. The decal shows you have met the criteria and are ready to drive.
Each Truck will need to have
- 31+ inch AT or MT tires
- Recovery points front and rear
- First aid kit
- Recovery equipment
- Fire extinguisher
- Appropriate GPS unit
- Teams are not required for the trucks, it is done as a safety precaution for bikes
- A full size spare
The route travels paved and non-paved roads and some challenging trails. The route travels over dirt, gravel, mud, and rocks. Expect to cover up to 300 kms (180miles) day, and prepare for distances between fuel locations of up to 200 kilometers (120miles). Not to be taken lightly, the remoteness of the areas we will be travelling through can bring risks. Getting hurt far from the nearest town is something that should not be taken lightly.
For trucks, a fuel range of 300 km is sufficient. The trails used could be considered stock friendly although a small lift might be useful. This isn't meant to be a 4x4 event, but rather an "overland" event. That being said Mother Nature always finds a way to make some portions of the trail challenging. Beaver dams creating deep than expected water crossings, moist terrain creating a mud hole, washouts on the trail from erosion, etc can and should be expected.
Like every year, the route provided is merely a suggestion. This is not a race nor is anyone going to keep track of whether you rode the route or not. The Roaming Rally is all about exploring, driving off-road terrain designed for overland trucks, and having a few cold ones at the end of the day with like minded folks.
When is the Roaming Rally Classic Edition and how do I sign up?
IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE 2020 Rally, we still have your signup information. If you plan to attend the 2022 please send us an email explaining you have already registered and plan to attend. This will help in logitics for us (swag\campsites\etc)
May 26 - Check in after 5pm at the designated campground
May 27 - 29 3 day backcountry route travelled
To register please send $125 (+ $25 per additional passenger) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. either by PayPal or email money transfer.
Registration is non refundable. In the event you can not participate you can transfer your registration to someone else or have it as a raincheck for the next years rally
About 2 weeks prior to the rally we will send out an email to all participants with details about the route, a GPX file of the route, information about campsites (camping fees are not included in the registration fee) and any relevant information you may need prior to showing up on May 26.
Please include in the payment comments field:
- That you are registering for the Roaming Rally
- Your full name, address and date of birth
- The year, make and model of truck
- Name, email and emergency contact info
- Full name of any passengers, address and date of birth
What can we expect?
You can expect a weekend of driving with a bunch of like-minded people and enjoying a cold beer at the end of the day. This is a very informal event. After the drivers meeting on the Thursday night, the organizers become just one of the gang, and we ride the event like everyone else. You are expected to have the skills and k knowledge to be self-sufficient. This means we don’t hold your hand. We organize a suggested route, suggested campsites, pre-drive the route (as much as possible) and get everyone together for a fun weekend. This comes as a surprise for first-time attendees but in the past it has worked well and we hope it does again.
The terrain of the RRCE is not for beginners. It's designed to be fun and challenging for intermediate to advanced backcountry travelers. The route is simply a suggestion; some folks who choose to drive at a slower pace may only drive a section of it before hitting the highway and heading to the next night’s camp. Water crossings, deep sand, rocks, hills and everything in between may be encountered.
Trucks should be prepared for backcountry travel. Good tires, recovery equipment, first aid considerations, camping equipment, food and water, etc are requirements for the rally.
Navigation
The RRCE is a navigational ride. Part of the challenge and fun is in the navigating. GPS files will be provided the week before the rally or at check-in the night before. We do not distribute routes, we distribute track files. Not all GPS units can use these files correctly, this is very important to understand. Current models that will work are the Garmin 6X series, the Montana, the X76 series, the Rhino, etc. GPS units that do NOT work properly are the zumo and nuvi series along with other car GPS units designed for automobiles. Smart phone apps may work, but keep in mind that we will be traveling in very remote areas without cell coverage. Tablets and cellphones have several apps available that can be used. Gaia and GPX Viewer are our favourites but there are plenty of them available.
If you are new to using track files we encourage you to practice creating, loading and saving tracks before coming to the RRCE. Using a GPS in a truck can be very dangerous. Please do not look at the screen while your moving – pull off to the side of the road or trail in a safe manner and then look at your screen.
The intent of the Roaming Rally Classic Edition is to have a fun weekend driving some of Canada’s best trails and backcountry roads, meet new like-minded people and share stories around a campfire in the evening. We look forward to meeting up with some familiar faces and meeting some new folks.
See you in May!
