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During spring 2023, our ambassador Marie-Pierre Savard rode the Baja Divide, a mythical route at the heart of the Baja California peninsula, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez, following rugged terrain and sandy trails. For this adventure, she chose to ride the Boreal Pinion : with its internal gearbox, ultra-strong Carbon Drive Belt and wide tire clearance, this bike was the perfect choice for tackling the sandy roads.
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Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, you’ll be amazed at every pedal stroke!
A challenge for our bikepacking expert
In 2023, Marie-Pierre Savard, an adventure cyclist used to adventures on remote areas, is taking on a major challenge: the Baja Divide. This route is well known to bikepacking enthusiasts: 2,500 kilometers of sandy trails along the Baja California peninsula, through breathtaking scenery and alongside the Pacific Ocean.
With over 10 years of bikepacking under her belt, Marie-Pierre knew how to prepare for this adventure. However, one major question remained: which bike should she choose to ensure minimum mechanical issues? On the Baja Divide, the rugged terrain and sand don’t play well with transmissions, and when a technical incident occurs, you have to sort it out yourself.
After talking it over with Simon from Panorama Cycles, Marie-Pierre chose the Boreal Pinion prototype. A model that seemed tailor-made for this challenge. This all-terrain touring bike had the immense advantage of offering an integrated Pinion drivetrain and a Carbon Drive Gates belt. These two components are precisely designed for this type of touring, as they are very resistant, require very little maintenance, allow easy climbing of all climbs and keep sand out of the drivetrain cogs.
The Boreal Pinion
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Boreal Pinion
All Terrain Touring*** In stock. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery (custom paint). 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 bikes on the field
Marie-Pierre on this adventure with three other fellow cyclists, two of them riding Panorama bikes.
Photographer Nicolas Bourdeau proudly rode a Taiga with front suspension that was a real blessing when it came to tackling the many crevasses and potholes on the roads.
As for Marc Morin, an avid mountain biker and bikepacker, he chose the Chic-Chocs 2023 for the extra comfort provided by the wide tires.
A great field test for the different Panorama models! With no mechanical failures apart from an unsuited rack, the team returned home with their bikes intact and smiles on their faces.
Just like every cycling adventures, nothing went quite as planned.
The demanding terrain, the extreme dryness and heat, and the group dynamic, which is always a bit slower than when you’re on your own, obliged the team to adjust their plans. The initial idea was to ride the entire Baja Divide in 1 month. However, in order to catch their flight home, they had to take a few shortcuts and cut a section.
In spite of everything, this adventure was an amazing discovery and will remain engraved in their memories.
From the number of snakes they spotted to the number of Tacos they devoured, here are a few figures that perfectly sum up what they experienced :
- Departure: San Diego, California, USA
- Arrival: San Jose Del Cabo, MX
- Days cycled: 29 of 33 (33 being the total number of days of the trip)
- Kilometers cycled: 1,850
- Ascent: 18,661 meters
- Punctures: 0
- Nights in hotel: 16
- Overnight camping: 17
- Dog bites : 0
- Rattlesnakes seen: 5
- Number of tacos eaten: 99 (yes, per person!)
- Cyclists met on the Baja Divide: 6
- Coldest night: 5.2 degrees, near Uruapan
- Warmest day: 42 degrees, Mulegé region
To follow Marie-Pierre’s adventures :
Photo credits : Nicolas Bourdeau et Marie-Pierre Savard