Adventure on the Escarpment

An adventure rally for the not-so-serious

With the adventure-touring market exploding as it is, it’s always great to gather in one spot with like-minded people for a weekend of revelry, camaraderie and a healthy exchange of stories and tall tales. The Overland Adventure Rally, taking place this year from July 11 to 13 at the Mohawk Inn, Campbellville, Ontario, is one of those weekends.

The Overland Adventure Rally is the brainchild of Lawrence Hacking. Some of you may recognize his name as a contributor to Motorcycle Mojo, but Lawrence has a long and storied past in the world motorcycle scene. In addition to being the first Canadian ever to finish the famous, but grueling Paris-Dakar rally, he has competed in off-road competitions in many parts of the world and knows a thing or two about adventure. If there is one person who can pull off an adventure rally, it’s Lawrence.

Perhaps this rally is best described as a gathering of fellow two-wheel enthusiasts who occasionally like to get dirty between jaunts of pavement riding. The weekend is not a hardcore rally raid, but it is so much fun.

The inaugural event took place during a perfect weekend last July and attracted a wide cross-section of attendees on a variety of motorcycles; granted, most were dual-sport machines. The rally featured vendors in the parking lot, two organized rides – a 260-kilometre paved route and a 260-kilometre on- and off-road route – excellent food, guest speakers and entertainment.

This year’s rally should prove to be an equally outstanding weekend. There will be two different routes again, one all pavement and the other a mix of pavement and gravel roads, through some of Southern Ontario’s most scenic Niagara Escarpment areas, and the routes will task participants to solve the Mohawk Mystery Challenge.

Actor, comedian and fellow rider Jonny Harris will be the weekend’s Master of Ceremonies and will no doubt provide many hours of laughter, while the guest speakers will captivate rally-goers as they tell of their motorcycling experiences. Guest speakers on Friday and Saturday evenings this year will include Warren Milner, industry insider and motorcycle traveller; Rene Comier, world traveller, author of University of Gravel Roads and owner of Renedian Adventures, known for African motorcycle tours; Simon Pavey, multiple Dakar veteran and world-renowned off-road instructor; and Patrick Beaule, Canadian Dakar competitor and record holder.

Last year’s Saturday evening BBQ, hosted by the Mohawk Inn’s Chop House, was over the top, and we can look forward to the same this year.

On Sunday of the event last year, Simon Pavey demonstrated a few motorcycle tips and techniques for setting up your bike, and while it isn’t yet confirmed (as of press time) for this year’s rally, there are hopes that he will offer some sort of riding school. Wrapping up the weekend’s festivities on Sunday morning will be a kid’s mini enduro.

Entry to the rally and its various functions is available à la carte via a menu system, but the best deal by far is to purchase the Whole Enchilada package. This is an all-access weekend pass that incorporates five meals (including the Chop House BBQ), camping, rally swag and much more. Accommodation is available at the Mohawk Inn, and camping at the adjacent Toronto West KOA.