BT700 Bikepacking event report

Text by Adrian Grant
Photos by messkit magazine / Adrian Grant

Day Three.  The typically one of the hardest days of any long-distance bike trip.  It’s when the initial euphoria that can carry one through the first couple of days is replaced by general discomfort, occasional knee pain, and the realization that your pathetic attempts to hand wash your kit had done nothing to combat that particular odour emanating from your bike shorts.

Day Three on the Butter Tart 700 (BT 700) for me was no different.  It was also the day when the climbing began in earnest.  That’s not to say that the first two days were a walk in the park.  While according to the route’s elevation profile, a significant portion of the first 300k consisted of a gradual descent to Lake Huron, followed by a (mostly) flat ride to Owen Sound, the reality was that while there no significant climbs, the rolling terrain, open fields, slight headwind, heat/humidity, various rugged unmaintained sections, and long days in the saddle combined to make this initial portion of the route a real slog.  So much so that for many riders (including myself), the planned 150k ride to some wild camping spots south of Georgian Bay on the second day was aborted, in favour of a well-earned beer (or three) and the relative comforts of an $80 motel bed in the town of Thornbury.

Meanwhile, the planned route for Day Three included the start of the Blue Mountains portion of the trip.  While the term “Mountains” is most certainly a stretch, the amount of climbing – approximately 2,000 meters over the course of a single 140k day – was enough to give me pause.  I’m not afraid to admit that serious consideration was given to sleeping in and taking the most direct way to the next campsite, which was less than 15k away along a rail trail, thereby avoiding that day’s climbing altogether.

Alas, the route prevailed, as it always does.  And so began a series of punishing ups and downs, followed by the inevitable cursing directed towards my lack of climbing gears, my failing legs, various deities, the route organizers (with sincerest apologies Matt Kadey and Tabi Ferguson, the wonderful organizers of the BT 700), and especially the hordes of deer flies, who extracted their pound of flesh during each arduous climb.  Meanwhile, the amazingly fun and fast descents afforded by these hard-earned climbs were tempered by the knowledge that I would soon have to earn back every meter of lost altitude.

The day ended with a brake cooking descent off-route down the Niagara Escarpment to Craigleith Provincial Park. Expecting quiet site nestled beside the shores of Georgian Bay, I was instead greeted by a park nestled beside a busy provincial highway.  Using my cell phone’s white noise app in a vain attempt to replicate the outdoor sounds I was missing, I spent a restless night comforted by the roar of heavy truck traffic.

The next morning included more of the same – except with the added bonus of an additional 260 meter climb back up the Escarpment over the course of three kilometers, just to get back to the main route.  I was also treated to a humid fog that blanketed the route for much of the morning, adding a sauna-like quality for the first half of the day’s ride, as well as several more sections of rocky unmaintained roads and singletrack (much of the latter I admittedly bypassed in favour of the approved gravel road alternatives).

Day Four was also the day I became reacquainted with the old adage “a bird in the hand”.  After satisfying my mid-afternoon hunger with a grilled cheese from the Hockley General Store, I was tempted to pick up another couple of sandwiches to go (along with a beer or two, natch), before riding the remaining 20k to the village of Palgrave and my eventual campsite for the evening.  However, I decided to forgo the additional sandwiches and beer in favour of dinner in Palgrave.  Much to my chagrin, it turned out that the only restaurant in town – a charming church-pub conversion – had been permanently shuttered for some time, leaving only a small variety store to forage for my evening repast.  Turns out that a man can survive on Pringles and Slim Jims alone…

Lesson learned, the next morning I eagerly set off the final day of the BT 700, during which I learned another valuable lesson – I’m not good at taking lessons to heart.  So yes, after cycling 20k in the morning heat, I decided to forgo stopping at one of several nearby convenience stores located in the bustling town of Caledon, and instead pushed on to the small village Inglewood, a further 10k away.  After all, Google Maps had assured me that there was a single general store in which to replenish my dwindling water supply.  No prizes if you guessed that this store also had all the appearances of having been closed for some time.  Thankfully, much of the remaining route was on mellow rail trail all the way back to St. Jacobs, where a cold beer at the Block Three Brewing Company and a hearty congratulations from Matt awaited.

This was my first bikepacking trip using the Panorama Katahdin and overall the bike acquitted itself admirably throughout.  The bike handled the rough and rowdy unmaintained sections with aplomb, with much of the credit going to the bike’s ability to clear the 700×45 WTB Riddler tires.  It also helped that the stock rims allowed me to run these tires tubeless, as I saw several riders with pinched flats over the first couple of days.  I also found the bike very fun to ride, even strapped down with all my gear, and extremely comfortable during my long days in the saddle.  In hindsight, the only thing I would have changed prior to the trip is the chainset or rear cassette, as some wider gearing certainly have been appreciated on the third and fourth days of the trip.

And a special thanks to Matt Kadey and Tabi Ferguson, the creators for the BT 700 for developing such a fantastic and challenging route!

SHOP OUR PRODUCTS

  • framebag
    framebag

    Custom Framebag

    Custom-made frame bag by Atwater Atelier, to match your Panorama Cycles bike. Many color, material and feature options available. Refer to the Atwater Atelier website for details or contact us directly. How to order: 1- Make the purchase on our website. Add as a note to the order the model, year, color and size of your Panorama Cycles bike. 2- Upon receipt of your order, a member of our team will contact you to select options, if applicable. 3- Bag manufacturing time varies from 6-10 weeks. Basic features ($290):
    • Access to a large compartment on the drive side
    • Brightly colored 70D Ripstop inner lining for better visibility
    • 2" wide by default
    • Cordura™ 1000D nylon outer
    • Sunguard™ UVR poly thread
    • Velcro™ fastening system
    • YKK™ #8 AquaGuard or #10 Vislon zipper
    290$ (CAD)
  • thru axle - panorama cycles
    thru axle - panorama cycles

    Thru axle – Front wheel

    Thru axle for the front wheel.  Bolt-on type (no lever), install with 6mm hex key.
    40$ (CAD)
  • Sale
    panorama cycles touring wheelset
    panorama cycles touring wheelset

    Touring 36 spokes wheelset

    36 spoke wheelset reinforced with eyelets at each hole. Double wall rims provide the best strength for a heavily loaded bike.
    • 700c DB-30 rims, 25mm internal, 36 spokes, double wall, reinforced eyelets
    • Front hub: Novatec D791SB sealed bearings, 12mmx100mm
    • Rear hub: Novatec D792SB sealed bearings, 12mmx142mm, HG cassette body
    299$ (CAD)
  • Panorama Boréal Pinion
    panorama boreal pinion

    Boreal Pinion

    ***It's time to pre-order your Boreal Pinion. Use the promo code borealpinion at checkout to proceed to the 50% reservation deposit. Delivery scheduled for April 2024. After conclusive tests on the 2500+km Baja Divide in Mexico and during the TransBoreale expedition (complete winter crossing of Quebec from south to north), the Boreal Pinion bike is offered in a limited series. Each bike will be painted to order, making it completely unique. The Boreal Pinion is designed to carry its rider with confidence on journeys and expeditions around the world. The frame and fork are robust, and the components are extremely reliable and low-maintenance. The highlight of the Boreal Pinion is the Pinion drivetrain. Combined with the Gates carbon belt, it is virtually maintenance-free and extremely durable. The performance of the Pinion internal gear system is unsurpassed, while the wide range of gear ratios is exceedingly large (600% for the C1.12 model - other models available on request) and each gear is evenly spaced. For half-road/half-off-road touring, 29x2.0 (700x50 equivalent) tires will provide an optimum ride. For off-road use, 27.5" tires of equivalent diameter, i.e. 27.5x2.6, are the appropriate choice. The two 32-spoke wheel options (for greater durability) are offered with the purchase of the complete bike. In both options, no lack of mud clearance while the frame and fork can accommodate 29x2.8 tires. *The frame/fork+Pinion set comes complete with Pinion C1.12 drivetrain, forged aluminum crank arms and shifter. Wheel axles, installed headset, seatpost collar and frame protectors are also included.
    4,399$5,999$ (CAD)
  • panorama touch up paint
    panorama touch up paint

    Touch up Paint

    Because sometimes small scratches do happen... We want you to keep your bike for long and in good condition!
    • 5ml bottle
    • High-quality all-in-one paint, no need to apply a clear coat
    * Unfortunately, we can only ship paint within Canada. * If the color you want is not in the options below, please contact us.
    14.99$ (CAD)
  • Sale
    panorama chic-chocs 2023
    panorama chic-chocs

    Chic-Chocs 2023 – New

    * Brand new bike, ready to ride. Few units still available. The Chic-Chocs has proven its abilities over the past few years in endurance races and winter expeditions. Whether it's for the Raid du Fjord, the Wendigo Ultra, or riding with confidence on groomed trails, the Chic-Chocs delivers. A stable geometry with a long wheelbase increases traction and flotation on soft surfaces. In addition, the Chic-Chocs is designed with a 205mm q-factor, the narrowest available for use with tires up to 5" wide. Not to be overlooked for an ergonomic position. Two Shimano drivetrains available with RaceFace cranksets and cockpit. Quality SunRingle rims and hubs (ready for -30degC!), and studdable tires that can be easily converted tubeless complete the package. Throw on some 29x3" wheels when the snow melts, and you've got a 4-season bike ready for backcountry bikepacking trips!
    2,699$2,799$ (CAD)
  • Sold out
    panorama cycles t shirt
    panorama cycles t shirt

    T-shirt Bikepacking

    A fully equipped fatbike ready to take off. Bikepacking pure and simple.
    30$ (CAD)
  • Sold out
    backcountry hat panorama
    Panorama backcountry cycling hat

    Backcountry Cycling Hat

    Why stick to the already known paths! #Backcountrycycling has become over time the mojo of Panorama Cycles. Make it yours with this unique cap!
    • 100% Cotton
    • Leather adjustment strap
    39.99$ (CAD)