A Fistful of Water - A 'cowboy' bikepacking short film by Nicolas Bellavance
In the spring of 2024, Amandine and Nicolas set off into the heart of Spain in search of one of Europe's most isolated regions. The route, entitled ‘Montanas Vacias’, literally translated as ‘Empty Mountains’, marks a 680 km loop in the heart of Spain and promises a dose of solitude.
"Right from the first day we were struck by the diversity of the scenery, in just a few dozen kilometers we had crossed a desert worthy of Utah and a pine forest that looked like California. In a smaller version, let's say!"
Nicolas :
"We set out with the idea of documenting the journey in the form of a fairly contemplative video. Personally, I didn't want to put any pressure on myself in terms of images to be shot or a script to be adhered to, as was the case with ‘The Balkans Mirage: A Journey on Wheels’. In the end, I think it was only after a week of soaking up the arid atmosphere that we came up with the idea of mixing Western and bikepacking. This improvised choice explains why the short film is divided into two sections."
Amandine :
"When Nicolas told me about the Montanas Vacias route, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was my first bike trip: the mileage, the elevation gain, all those numbers... for me, it didn't mean much.
A few hours before starting the journey, I was apprehensive, afraid I'd get fed up in the first few days. Especially when loading the bags, I realize just how heavy we are. And yet, from the very first day, everything brings me back to you, nature. Wanting to find you in your rawest, wildest form. Feeling your gentle, sometimes strong breath that makes me waltz. To rediscover your scents, damp, pine and cattle. To marvel at your colors, ochre, green or dry.
The Montañas Vacias or the Empty Mountains... when you cover the miles, you understand why."
The Bikes :
When we approached Panorama Cycles with the travel project, Simon told us that a new model in their collection was about to be launched: the Boreal.
The rigid, steel, mountain-bike-like geometry convinced us on the spot. Above all, we were aiming for comfort and a frame capable of offering great flexibility when it came to mounting luggage. It was essential that our camera equipment was easily accessible and that we kept a bike that was easy to maneuver on the trails. 80% of the route consisted of trails.
With the Vélo Orange handlebars, we had all the space we needed to imagine the setup of our choice. The aim was to concentrate our gear at the front for quick access. Despite the fact that most of the weight is distributed at the front, the Boreal is very permissive.
