L’hiver, sommes-nous confinés à rouler en rond, pédaler après notre queue sur les sentiers entretenus de centres de fatbike, ski de fond et raquette pour s’éclater du haut de nos roues surdimensionnés? Heureusement que non! Pas dans Charlevoix, en tout cas! Même que l’aventure, lorsque l’indice de « portaison » le permet et que nos amis les motoneigistes nous tapent la voie—sur des sentiers non-fédérés, bien sûr—sait se pointer, toujours prête à nous transporter, élever…exalter!
Explorant un univers capitonné strié de pistes et chemins forestiers immaculés, on peut évoluer au sein de cette planète blanche sidérante, l’arrière-pays charlevoisien l’hiver, pendant des jours et relier ainsi auberges des bois, chalets de la Traversée de Charlevoix et refuges du Territoire Libre de Pied-des-Monts.
. Appelons ce type d’entreprise « bikepacking ou fatpacking hivernal haute route ». Voici quelques scènes et moments d’une escapade qui nous aura vus, mon partenaire Antoine Dufour-Simard et moi, piloter nos Chic-Chocs du plateau avoisinant le massif du lac Jacques-Cartier jusqu’au fond du cratère météoritique de Charlevoix…un circuit fat intergalactique!
Antoine se hisse hors de la vallée de la rivière des Martres, affluent de la rivière Malbaie, vers le point culminant du parcours qui frôle les 1000 mètres et surplombe le lac des Martres.
Suivant une nuitée dans le chalet de la Marmotte, l’une des stations de la célèbre Traversée de Charlevoix, la deuxième journée commence sur le pont qui enjambe la rivière du Gouffre dans le secteur Pied-des-Monts.
Cassons la croûte en pénétrant sur le territoire de la zec des Martres.
Massif du lac Jacques-Cartier dans toute sa splendeur…
Au cœur de l’arrière-pays charlevoisien l’hiver, un circuit fat intergalactique!
La bécosse du chalet La Marmotte n’est pas isolée et joue les thermomètres : – 30 Celsius ce matin-là!
Antoine en mode « fatpacking hivernal haute route »…
Trouvaille de bord de piste…
Descente intersidérale le long de cette échancrure dans le pourtour de l’astroblème charlevoisien où s’écoule la plus haute source de la rivière Du Gouffre. Les survivants du grand feu de forêt de 1999 conférent à ces parages un caractère lunaire.
"S24O" (aka Sub 24h Overnighter) is, in the jargon of the bikepacker, an adventure of less than 24 hours including an overnight stay. The definition of micro-adventure!
*** Now is the time to book your Taïga 2023. Use promo code taiga at checkout to make a 50% reservation deposit. Limited quantity for 2023. Expected delivery: May 2023. Contact us for any questions.***
In between a trail bike and a multi-day adventure bike, the Taïga has multi purposes. Take it on your local mountain bike trails, or for a bikepacking outing in the more rugged backcountry trails.
Our selection of Reynolds 725 tubing gives this frame just the right amount of suppleness and responsiveness, while keeping the weight reasonable. A 67deg steering angle and 75deg seat angle strike a balance between modern and progressive geometry, without falling into an overly radical design. For 2023, we lowered the bottom bracket slightly to increase stability.
Offered with a carbon fork, a suspension fork option is available upon request. Custom built Hunt Trail Wide wheels for Panorama Cycles with 32 spokes, Teravail Ehline 29 "x2.5" tires and Shimano SLX drivetrain complete the package.
* Complete bike ($3599 CAD)
* The frameset comes with wheel axles, headset installed, seatpost collar and frame protectors. (1649$ CAD)
* The frame only option comes with the rear wheel axle and seatpost collar. (1199$ CAD)
* The Rohloff option comes with the Speedhub 500/14 A12 DB PM black, the 180mm rear disc, the shifter and everything needed to install the hub on the frame. (+1899$ CAD)
Slow Travel is the state of mind we approach during bike journeys. It is taking the time to live each experience in its entirety, focusing on quality rather than quantity.
*** Now is the time to book your 2023 Katahdin. Use promo code katahdin at checkout to make a 50% reservation deposit. Limited quantity for 2023. Expected delivery: April 2023. Contact us for any questions.***
The first generation of the Katahdin has proven itself both in races, gravel events and in bikepacking trips. For its second iteration, the Katahdin gets a makeover with progressive gravel geometry and new features to make it even more versatile.
A relaxed 70deg steering angle, longer reach, 75mm bb drop and 430mm chainstays increase the wheelbase of the bike and place the rider in a stable and comfortable position. The goal is less fatigue, and more speed for long outings and / or races.
The internal cables for an adjustable seat post, the fork adapted to the use of a dynamo hub, a threaded bottom bracket shell and all the mounts necessary to install bags and accessories are among the features of the Katahdin.
The frame is dressed with the Hunt wheels fitted with Teravail Cannonball 700x42mm tires, as well as the Shimano GRX groupset, which make for a versatile and efficient bike.
*** SOME UNITS OF 2022 KATAHDIN RIVAL STILL AVAILABLE! ALSO SOME BIKES WITH MINOR PAINT TOUCH UPS AVAILABLE AT SPECIAL PRICE, CONTACT US FOR INFO ******Read BikegearDatabase's review on the Katahdin.***
The first generation of the Katahdin has proven itself both in races, gravel events and in bikepacking trips. For its second iteration, the Katahdin gets a makeover with progressive gravel geometry and new features to make it even more versatile.
A relaxed 70deg steering angle, longer reach, 75mm bb drop and 430mm chainstays increase the wheelbase of the bike and place the rider in a stable and comfortable position. The goal is less fatigue, and more speed for long outings and / or races.
The internal cables for an adjustable seat post, the fork adapted to the use of a dynamo hub, a threaded bottom bracket shell and all the mounts necessary to install bags and accessories are among the features of the Katahdin.
The frame is dressed with the Hunt wheels fitted with WTB Venture 650b or 700c tires, as well as the Shimano GRX 2x11 or Rival 1x groupset, which make for a versatile and efficient bike.
*** If your size is currently 'out of stock' on our website, please contact your closest PANORAMA CYCLES dealerto know what they have on hand. Please subscribe to our newsletter to be the first informed of when the pre-sale will be launched. ***
When you venture on the less traveled roads of the backcountry, sometimes, the beautiful road becomes much more bumpy than what was predicted. The asphalt becomes gravel, and the gravel literally becomes an off-road trail. It is for this kind of adventure that the Anticosti was created.
The Anticosti bike is built with a bespoke selection of Reynolds 725 steel tubing, thinned where it is needed to reduce weight. A generous clearance allows you to install 27.5x2.1 or 700x50 tires with fenders. You will find all the necessary mounts to carry the equipment for a night in the tent, or for a more ambitious multi-day trip project.
Do not let your current bike limit your desire to explore. Take the path you want with the Panorama Anticosti.