Author: cdnrover

An outdoor enthusiast who seeks adventure at every opportunity

So what do you do after a trail run??

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On Sunday 3rd November, had an amazing time with the Land Rover Experience team at Montebello and fellow enthusiasts!  Did the obstacle track, a trail run etc… check out the last blog entry

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On return to Montebello, the Rover started to ‘howl’ a bit, figured nothing big… just water and dirt – normal.  BUT it persisted and got louder.

Now the worry starts to set in… did I do something wrong?  Is there a major issue with the truck?  Is it going to be expensive 😉 etc. etc.  Once I did the 340 km home with the noise getting worse – I am concerned now.

Could not sleep that night… woke up at 0600 hrs and started in on the investigation, hoping it was not something like the transfer case or driveline issues.  Got it all apart – narrowed it down to the transfer case end of the front driveshaft.

Of note, Adam Chappell of Diesel Rovers had suggested that it was the driveshaft… and you guessed it.  IT WAS.  Thank you to Adam for helping find the issues and helping me sleep better 😉

To all those Rover owners out there… ensure you do daily / regular maintenance, that will help your trucks go for a very long time!  I know that sometime after trail runs, I will neglect the ‘basic’ stuff – grease / inspect fluids and driveline…etc.  Well I am paying for it now… thankfully it is simple (ish).

Remember ROVER ON!! have adventures, share them… and meet and share some time with fellow enthusiasts, its good for the soul 😉 OH and it’s fun.

Montebellow – Land Rover Experience

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WELL… every Land Rover owner’s dream (besides owning a shiny Defender), to get out on the trail with Experience team!  Well, I was fortunate enough to be able to get out on the course with some amazing people.  The organizers did a fantastic job putting the day together.

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There were 25 trucks, ranging from the hard-core Defender 90 to the LR3 that was stock except for the tires.  It was really quite something to see all these trucks out on the course – doing what they were built for.  AND the smiles – ear to ear!!  An enthusiast’s dream.

Our day started out at the Montebello hotel in front of the Land Rover Experience office, meeting all the excited participants AND the organizers.  The atmosphere was one of anticipation, everyone eager to get out on the trails.  However, there was the standard administration – driver brief, waivers etc.  BUT it was smooth and went quickly.

Once introductions were done and the briefing complete… OFF we went to the obstacle course.

To watch each driver, take their beloved Rover onto the course and ‘play’… was exciting.  It was like Christmas morning! I know for me – I was so giddy.  Look at all the obstacles to try.  WHERE TO START??  I think that I did all the obstacles at least 2 or 3 times!!

It was a sad announcement when the leaders indicated we had to leave for lunch… I would have played there for hours more.  However, the best part of the day was yet to come.  I’m sure they planned it that way 😉

After a very nice lunch, everyone gathered for another driver briefing.  There were 2 groups to hit the trail.  One intermediate and the other hard.

YUP – hard trail for this Rover 🙂

I have to say, the area is stunning!  We must have just missed the leaves turning (which would have added no doubt to the views), but either way the area is amazing.  I love getting out to places like this, but it is also important to remember – ‘Tread Lightly’ to ensure we can continue to get to places like these in the future.  Our trucks are big and if not handled well and with respect for the trail can do serious damage.

Pls if you go out on the trails to experience all that trails have to offer, act wisely and with respect to the trail. So, we can continue to enjoy the trail systems.

All the participants enjoyed the ‘hard’ trail run…. see the smiles!IMG_1745

After a spectacular experience, everyone headed back to the Montebello – with tales of trail challenges and how their Rovers conquered the ‘hard’ trail ;).  All I can say is…

THANK YOU TO THE LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE STAFF AND ORGANIZERS!!!

This was a very enjoyable time… and hope that we can do it again soon!!  To all the fellow Rover owners, thank you for making this a safe and fun time!  Hope to see you at another Rover event soon.

LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE OWNER’S DAY

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Super excited that I was able to get into this event.  It was fully booked, sadly someones truck was not able to make it.  It turned out to be a great opportunity 😀 for me, sad that a Rover was not on the road, but it happens.  Looking forward to getting out on the LR experience trails.  My Rover is not 100% but it will – LOVE – the chance to get out on the trail.

Had this glimpse of the trail sent to me, by the staff

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The ‘hard’ trail on the LR experience trail system.

Took the chance today to go for a afternoon drive with the wife, it was nice to get out and see the sights and lake.  The Rover was ‘posin’ for some snaps too… lol

I look forwar to sharing photos / videos of the expience… 🙂 bring on Sunday!!

Ontario Off-Raod Rally for Charity ’19

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Well I just happened across this rally looking at the Ontario Overlanding, it’s a charity rally for V42 a good cause AND a good reason to get out into Central Ontario’s back country.  SO… registered and Aug 3 hit the trails some great ppl for a good cause.

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This was ONLY 1/2 the planned route, but time got the better of us.  What a great area to explore… next time we’ll need to double our time est. for the route.

The adventure started in Tweed, ON about an hours drive from the house.  The group hit the trail at 0900 hrs 🙂 and what a great bunch of people.  Lots of experience and loved the smiles!

 

So the trip starts off on mostly gravel or crushed rock on Old Hastings Rd, but the scenery is really nice.  To top that off the history here is plentiful.  If only we had more time to explore the area better…. next time.  Well from the end of Old Hastings onto the ATV trails, and they don’t disappoint – nice trails with great Ontario back country sights.

The trails are not too technical, but just enough to keep you ‘busy’ and the scenerey on the trails is really nice.  There were 2 significant water crossings but we were able to get most of the group across AND there was a by pass if needed.

All in all, a great day!!!  Thanks to the guys over at Ontario Off-Road!  AND thank you to the group that we travelled with… amazing time with amazing people in the back country of Ontario.

Old Hasting colonization road adventure

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old_hastings_off-roadSo took the opportunity to finish Roaming Rally 2019, as I missed one section because of time constraints.  Made out – weather was great, company was awesome (Wes & Sean)… sadly I lost my co-pilot, as he was not interested (next time Scott).

Well, this leg was packed with some great Ontario history and nice views of the rolling hills and green tree tops (miss the mountain, but this is its own kind of special).  The trip took us along the hydro lines to the top of Rock Candy Mtn, presenting the views I was talking about.

Then we hit Old Hastings colonization Rd, and what a bit of history.  I’m telling you it is cool.  Not a 4wheel drive road, but a twisty, rolling gravel road.  packed with little pockets of history.  The story is quite interesting, if you want to know more check it out here

Great day with good ppl and a taste of Ontario back country.  Hope to continue the adventures.

Roaming Rally 2019

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What a great opportunity to explore some of Ontario’s off-road / overland locations!  The crew at Gravel Travel have consistently put together a great adventure with nothing but good people and wonderful locations!  FIRST off… thank you to those guys that do all the behind the scenes work!

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A 3 day wander around Ontario… the 2019 Roaming Rally!

The event was approximately 600 Km of a combination of back roads and 4wd routes, with nothing but the best to offer, views of lakes, amazing landscapes and more…  OH and don’t forget all the great participants!!!

Our setup at different stages:

 

Met so many really cool people, like minded… those that enjoy a journey to some destination and are at ease in the back country.  I had the privilege of hanging out with the LRAA and OLVR crews!  WHAT a time… IMG_9371

Rover performed well.. despite little growing pains of the motor rebuild, NO major issues 😀 that was awesome!  The work done by Diesel Rovers did not disappoint.  (Highly recommend Adam and his team, small business but great service and knowledgable!)  On the trails with Ryan and I were several land rovers, a Pinzgauer, (oh) and a jeep ;).

The group consisted of some amazing people who made this adventure ‘epic’ and one that will be unforgettable.  Thanks! (you guys know who you are)  I have to admit that I did have some envy going on, those defenders looked amazing, just cruising along on the trail like nothing would stop them – and full of that ‘British’ class…

Now no trip with my Disco would be complete without some drama… right?  Well you guessed it there was some mechanical drama.  On day two, I thought I felt some kind of drive-line surge.  Not sure what it was, but not wanting to stop either…. 😛

So pressed on, all day dreading a *snap* or *bang* stranding me in the middle of Ontario… BUT day two, no trouble.  Continued on with day three… and still feeling the surge, AND one serious *crack*… stopped figuring a front axle broke 😦

Well… luck would have it we had two experienced mechanics and my tinkering ability… to diagnose.  AND nothing wrong.  Mystery continued for another hour or so.  BUT finally took a few minutes to analyze it.  Well the jerry-cans are full on the rear bumper….

YOU GUESSED it.. 60 lbs of sloshing fuel, caused a surging feeling.  The sounds were from the carrier loosening off – might have snapped a weld (Tactical Rovers gear is awesome… but look after your gear, maintenance / inspection is important).  Trouble shot the issue and fixed it! yeah!

If I have not said it enough… this trip was amazing.  Had a great navigator 😀IMG_0120

Thanks Ryan… you were great company!!  Till next adventure….