The Rover-Landers of BC

Clear your calendars! We are having the 22st annual Rally in the Valley! Due to fire restrictions over the past few years we have been consistently locked out of the bush forcing us to stick to less adventurous destinations.

We are once again having the Rally earlier on May 2nd, 3rd and 4th to keep out of the fire season.

Basecamp will be at 8957a Cranko Road, the home of Roy and Marg Lavigne in Chemainus BC. Most are familiar with this camp but for any newcomers here are the directions. Turn West at the corner of the Trans Canada highway and Mount Sicker Road (Red Rooster gas bar and Russel’s Farm Market) go past the market staying on Mount Sicker Road it turns left. Follow Mount Sicker Road until you hit the T intersection of Mount Sicker Road and Cranko Road (Watch for the wind sock in the field) turn right on Cranko Road. The farm is on the right side a little ways down the road use the second driveway. Watch for the Land Rover direction signs, follow the signs. If you have not arrived in a British vehicle you will notice a parking sign marked OTHER that’s where you will park your non British vehicle.

Schedule

Friday May 2nd - Arrive anytime after 2:00 pm. Camping is provided in the field and forest on the property and a porta-potty is provided as well. You have to fend for yourself tonight and we will be having a campfire unless its banned. (Which is unlikely!!) Bring some muscles as we may have to split a bit of firewood!

Saturday May 3rd - Drivers meeting at 9:15 am with departure for 9:30-9:45 am.

We have yet to find a definitive route for the Saturday Run, but it will be a non scratcher and avoid river crossings as well!
It should take approximately 5 hours and we should be back to the tarmac about 3:00 to 3:30.

Saturday night dinner is once again Pot-Luck. Please bring enough to share. Side dishes are suggested as a main course and dessert are provided. We may be able to drive up Mt. Prevost for those interested to see a panoramic view of the valley.

Sunday May 4th - Pancake breakfast at 8:30 am. Pancakes, sausage, farm fresh eggs and drinks will be provided, if you'd like to contribute anything you are more than welcome to. Afterwards we are doing a scratch run up Mt Sicker, nothing any Land Rover couldn't handle!! We plan to be out of the bush no later than 4:00 pm.

Some frequently asked questions.

Cost? Free all 3 fun filled days.
Is there a petrol station nearby? Yes petrol, diesel, propane, groceries and deli goods at the Red Rooster and Russel Farm markets. Top your tanks and your bellies for the Saturday drive.
Can I bring my non-British vehicle? Yes parking will be available for non-British Vehicles.
Can I bring my non-British vehicle on the drive? NO but there is always a spare seat available in somebody’s rover just ask. Sorry this is a Land Rover event.
This event is pet friendly. But must be leashed!
Some other things to bring. Lawn chairs, portable tent, sun lotion or rain gear, extra clothes maybe a bathing suit the Chemainus river is very close to the farm. A dip may be nice after a long dusty day on the trail. A radio of some sort ham, cb, or frs. Camera and a lunch for the Saturday drive.

As we are having this event in May, it could rain!! Bring appropriate gear to survive any weather!

Check back here on the island sections for updates. We would like to know how many are coming so please reply here if possible.

Please RSVP on the Island Section of the Forum. We need to know if you're coming, unless you want to make your own breakfast.

If you have any questions feel free to post them or give us a call at 778-678-7090.

SEE YOU THERE!

I will be there!

Mason and I will be there in the “Silver Bullet”.
We will be in late Friday night.

Me and Laura and Jasper will be there Friday

My truck hasn't had a good proper bath in a year so i'll be there to provide wading advice. It will be a lunch n learn like last year

Would the 545pm ferry on the Sunday be a safe bet to go back to the mainland? I’m guessing so…

That should be fine to catch the 5:45, the Sunday run is in the local bush with no gates or anything to get stuck behind. We won’t be far from base camp or the highway!

If you’re planning on coming it’s better to let us know sooner rather than later!! This year should be a good time we’ve scouted out some good routes.

Depending on timing Saturday will have an optional scratch run return to camp, and on Sunday there will be lots of time to play around Mt. Prevost.

Hi Guys and Girls

WE NEED NUMBERS .............so if your planning on attending the best Landrover event on the Island this year (its going to be a good-un) please reply on here as soon as possible. Thanks.
The cooks need to get out to the local "Tesco" to purchase the pulled pork (main course) for Saturdays gala dinner event and they need to know how many eggs, sausages and pancakes to make on Sunday morning.

This message is for all you Island guys as well, we dont have ESP. You may think we know your coming because you come every year......... but we dont.

Only 8 more sleeps to the big event and remember every Landrover is welcome you do not have to be a club member.

Talk soon Victor

Rob and Lisa will be there for both days! Looking forward to the runs.

cbalme wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 11:44 pm That should be fine to catch the 5:45, the Sunday run is in the local bush with no gates or anything to get stuck behind. We won’t be far from base camp or the highway!

If you’re planning on coming it’s better to let us know sooner rather than later!! This year should be a good time we’ve scouted out some good routes.

Depending on timing Saturday will have an optional scratch run return to camp, and on Sunday there will be lots of time to play around Mt. Prevost.

I've booked ferries, so am coming (just me) unless I find any problems this weekend!

Ya… I’m coming.

I’ll be there

Looking forward to another adventure on the Island 8)
Ferries are booked, coming over on the 7.45am Friday morning and heading back early Monday morning.

Cheers
Andy

Howdy Colin

Eric and Sue are coming Saturday for dinner.
Dave and Doug will likely becoming for Saturdays drive and dinner (not sure if they are bringing their better half's or not).
Seems they can not log into the forum anymore, so replied to me directly.

The numbers are coming up.

Talk soon Victor

I’ll be there.

We would like to attend for the Saturday run. Old, slow, and non-campers hinders our expectations.
Look forward to it.

Howdy Colin

Paul will be coming only for dinner on Saturday, (poor guy has to work) we both work at the same place, I managed to get the whole weekend off no problem, maybe the boss likes me more?
Perhaps next year his luck will change and he will be able to attend.
Only 6 more sleeps till the start of the event.

Talk soon Victor

I will be flying back from work in the States that weekend. I am trying to figure out if can get to the Island by Sat night. I am hoping to join everyone on the Sunday run.

Hi Colin,
I'll be there Friday afternoon and leaving early Monday morning
Bill

Sounds good Bill, it’ll be good to see your truck back in action!!

Anyone wanting dinner and breakfast we need to know by Wednesday evening at the latest! Otherwise there will not be enough for you!!

I will be there, arriving Friday.

I’ll be there with my wife for Saturday run, dinner & Sunday breakfast. Thanks for arranging.

Hi Colin,

Yes please, I would like to have dinner and breakfast! Failed to mention that in my last message.

Hi Stephen, no worries but thanks for confirming!

Hey all, this will be my first time joining in
How much should I bring for the pot luck ? How many are expected?

Is a radio required for the trail rides?

cbalme wrote: Sun Apr 27, 2025 10:02 am Sounds good Bill, it’ll be good to see your truck back in action!!

Anyone wanting dinner and breakfast we need to know by Wednesday evening at the latest! Otherwise there will not be enough for you!!

Will be wanting dinner and breakfast please!

Hi Van island R3

Welcome bring a big big bowl of something edible....salad, potato or leafy green or a big side dish of something tasty. Yes bring a ham radio if you have one. If you dont have one we have extras not necessary but fun to have.
We will likely have 30 or so rovers at the event. Most of the trucks are singles but some do have friends.........Its hard to make friends when all you talk about are land rovers.

See you there. Only 3 more sleeps till the big event.

Talk soon Victor

island dormy wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 9:40 pm Hi Van island R3

Welcome bring a big big bowl of something edible....salad, potato or leafy green or a big side dish of something tasty. Yes bring a ham radio if you have one. If you dont have one we have extras not necessary but fun to have.
We will likely have 30 or so rovers at the event. Most of the trucks are singles but some do have friends.........Its hard to make friends when all you talk about are land rovers.

See you there. Only 3 more sleeps till the big event.

Talk soon Victor

Thanks I will find a “big big bowl” of something yummy!

Hi Again Van Island LR3

We never go hungry we always have lots of food sometimes even enough for a second go round after the Sunday Scratch and Dent run (lots of folks stay over till Monday morning).
We also have a rule in place that non- Landrover drivers (who show up in a "other" car brand) eat last. :)

The weather is looking excellent, the weather girl says clear and sunny all weekend, its going to be a good one.

See you all there ..............only one more sleep to go.

Talk soon Victor

PS. There are still a few Island guys we have not heard from, hope you guys make it out this weekend.

I may not actually make it. Sticky brakes turned into new brake pads turned into new brake calipers... They should arrive today. FML

Stopping is overrated Brian

I plan to be there on the Saturday only. Looking forward to it.

I unfortunately will not be attending due to an unfortunate medical issue that is causing discomfort and pain. Have a great time folks. We will hopefully see you on the next run/gathering.

Sorry to hear you can’t make it Chris, hope you get better soon!


It’s looking like a good forecast for the weekend! Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

enjoy the adventures, all...gonna be here working on extracting a snapped rear half shaft..

chrismac wrote: Fri May 02, 2025 6:33 am I unfortunately will not be attending due to an unfortunate medical issue that is causing discomfort and pain. Have a great time folks. We will hopefully see you on the next run/gathering.

Sorry Chris. Being married and having kids does not qualify as a “medical issue”. :bounce:

Seriously though hope you are better soon.

Had a wonderful day out on Saturday and seeing everybody again , Thanks to everyone especially Colin and Oliver for all their hard work.

Thankyou to Colin's grandparents, parents, Colin (and not forgetting Victor) for organizing another great event!

Sorry I had to leave early due to overheating issues (got the last spot on the first ferry on Sunday with 3 minutes to spare, so was back home in the early afternoon!) - I hear the Sunday scratch run went with a bang...😉

Thank you for a great weekend. Dinner and breakfast were excellent and the two days of driving were most enjoyable.

Well that was a fun filled weekend, many thanks to Colin, Victor and the crew for hosting the Land Rover Rally in the Valley. We really appreciate all the prep work, kitchen time and trail scouting that is involved in putting this event together.

I believe there was about 30 Land Rovers in the field at its peak, and around 24 convoyed out on the Saturday Run. A few less on the the Sunday run, but still an awesome turn out.

Cheers,
Andy
PS - was there a pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow?

Definitely suggests there should be more events on Vancouver Island… jus’ sayin’ !!

Hi Stephan

Glad everyone had fun (well almost everyone) sorry about your rover Andy........any way.
Next event on the Island Is the Sanichton Acres Old English car club show and swap meet. Sunday June 8th at Heritage acres out near the Victoria Airport- ferry terminal.
Lots of fine British cars, food, a historic village to wander through, mini train rides and hopefully 5-10 Land rovers. All for $5 bucks a head. (To a maximum of $10 per vehicle), bring your friends if you have any....like I've said before its hard to have friends when all you do is talk about Land rovers.

See you there.
Talk soon Victor

Hi All,

For those interested, lots of great photos and videos posted to the Rover-Landers Gallery here ...
https://rover-landers.smugmug.com/Rover ... y-May-2025

Best viewed on a bigger screen than a phone with a coffee in hand :coffee:

Cheers
Andy

Completely forgot about my photos....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/6 ... AivH6duVkQ