Bikepacking Charlevoix

Part of Quebec Bikepacking Traverse segment IV

English version to come…
Texte et photos par Marie-Pierre Savard

Une semaine plus tard dans les maritimes, voici le récapitulatif de mes vacances de bikepacking dans Charlevoix, fin juin 2022, et divisés en 2 “petites” rides!

Tout a commencé par trois jours, accompagnée de Marie-Hélène Blouin, Marc Morin, Dialec Tron et Kryshnå Martineau, au départ du Parc National des Grands-Jardins. Le but? Rouler une partie du Segment IV du Québec Bikepacking Traverse dans la ZEC des Martres, puis revenir via la Réserve Faunique des Laurentides et les Grands-Jardins! (110 kilomètres en 3 jours, 2 nuits, 2074 mètres de dénivelé+, 81% non pavés) https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40074924

*Détails des camping et conditions des routes directement sur les tracés (POI)*

Dès les premiers kilomètres, dans la ZEC des Martres, on commence à sacrer à cause d’une montée sur un chemin de motoneige du genre « ruisseau rocheux »! Après ça, pas le temps de reprendre nos esprits, on enchaîne avec une ascension jusqu’à 990 mètres d’altitude, au sommet d’une carrière de quartz (par chance que c’était fermé, car sinon on aurait dû rebrousser chemin jusqu’au départ.) Certes, c’était un genre de paysage lunaire et irréel, où on a eu l’impression de rouler sur du sel de l’Himalaya, mais je ne peux malheureusement suggérer cette section dangereuse et interdite! Bref, c’était beaucoup de difficultés (+ les moustiques), pour les 17 premiers kilomètres du tracé! Tellement, qu’on a fait dodo au kilomètre 22 environ.

Au jour deux, il y a eu une dizaine de kilomètres difficiles sur des chemins de 4X4, en montée, mais sinon, rien de trop extrême, quoi que ça reste du bikepacking en autonomie, en région éloignée, sur des routes pas toujours bien cartographiées! Puis pour la dernière journée, enfin on a pu augmenter notre moyenne de km/h sur de belles routes moins accidentées, via la Réserve Faunique des Laurentides et les Grands-Jardins. Pour la douceur des 35 derniers kilomètres, je ne ferai pas cette boucle dans l’autre sens!

Sur ce trajet, très peu de réception cellulaire, aucun point de ravitaillement possible (sauf au camping Arthabaska, à 10 kms de l’arrivée), mais beaucoup d’endroits où trouver de l’eau et piquer sa tente. Le parc des Grands-Jardins a lui seul est un bel endroit pour s’initier au gravel bike, avec la plupart des routes, plus sabloneuses que rocheuses ou accidentés (et trois campings)!

Ensuite, comme il me restait du temps de libre, j’ai décidé de retourner à Québec en solo, à partir des Grands-Jardins, sur la route 60 d’est en ouest, puis via la 17 de la Réserve faunique des Laurentides, jusqu’à L’Étape. (174 kilomètre, 2 jours, deux nuit, 1226m de dénivelé+, 33% non-pavé). https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40074842

Après 4 jours dans le bois, je me suis payé un gros luxe: camping + douche chaude + cuisse de poulet + bière + crème glacé à l’Étape! Le lendemain, je suis rentrée à Québec, via la 175. Je n’étais pas très motivée à cette idée de route pavée, mais dès les premiers kilomètres, j’ai adoré. Large accotement, en bonne condition, vent de dos et surtout, ça descend jusqu’à Québec! Rendue à Stoneham, j’ai pris le Boul. Talbot, quelques chemins de garnottes et le Corridor des Cheminots jusqu’à destination.

Malheureusement, une fois au terminus d’autobus de Québec, le processus du transport de vélo reste complexe, cher (23$ avec boîte et vélo) et pas accommodant… En 2022, on devrait pouvoir mettre le vélo « tel quel » dans un bus, à partir de n’importe quel arrêt et à n’importe quelle heure. (Orléans Express, les cyclistes devraient aussi pouvoir prendre le bus en dehors des heures ouvrables d’expedibus…)

Encore une fois, mon Panorama Cycles Taïga EXP m’a transporté en toute sécurité et confort sur ces chemins, parfois extrêmes, mais surtout très variés! Considérant ces conditions, je ne serais pas parti avec un autre vélo, même si j’ai fait une centaine de kilomètres sur route pavée et que près de la moitié du tracé pourrait bien se faire avec un gravel plus standard.

VOIR NOS PRODUITS

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    panorama chic-chocs 2023
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    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)
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    29in fatbike wheelset

    Spring is coming? It's time to transform your fatbike with these 29" wheels and make it your exploration or trail bike.
    • 29" Sun Ringle DÜROC 40 rims. Compatible with 2.4'' to 2.8'' tires.
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    • Quality handbuilt by Panorama Cycles
    949$ (CAD)
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    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):
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    Taïga EXP 2

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    ***2024-03-25 Update. Delivery of first production batch scheduled for early April. This batch has sold out in presale. A second production batch is expected in late April/early May. All sizes will be available. Pre-order your Taïga EXP using the promo code taigaexp at the time of purchase to proceed to the 50% reservation deposit. Selected as one of the best off-road touring bikes by the renowned blog Cyling About, the Taïga EXP 2 is the dropbar version of the Taïga mountain bike. This makes it ideal for long-distance off-road tours and mixed terrain bikepacking expeditions. It was also the bike that led Cory Ostertag to first place at the 2022 BC Epic, and the same bike that helped Marie-Pierre Savard and Cory Ostertag set new record times (FKT) at the 2022 Log Driver’s Waltz for women and men respectively. The Reynolds 725 frame is packed with useful features: adjustable rear sliding dropouts, seat stay opening for use with belt, compatible with 100mm suspension fork, compatible with dropper seat post. The carbon fork has internal cable routing for dynamo hub usage, and all the necessary mounts for your equipment. In addition to slight geometric refinements, tire clearance has been increased to easily accommodate 29x2.6'' on this second-generation EXP. The Taïga EXP 2 is equipped with the excellent GRX 12-speed groupset, and the frame now features flat-mount brake mounts. We offer 2 wheel options as well as an adjustable seatpost option. The Ritchey Beacon 52cm wide handlebar gives enough space for a bulky handlebar bag, while providing excellent stability when the terrain is more demanding. *Frameset comes with wheel axles, headset installed, seatpost collar and frame protectors.
    1,649$3,899$ (CAD)
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    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)
  • chic-chocs 2024
    chic-chocs 2024

    Chic-Chocs 2024

    ***Slightly used demo available! Check here for details. 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!
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    chic-chocs 2024
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    Chic-Chocs 2024 – Demo

    Some demo units available. All in excellent 9-9.5/10 condition. 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!
    2,599$ (CAD)