Photos and Text by Pierre Bouchard
English version to come…
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!
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29in fatbike wheelset
PartsSpring is coming? It's time to transform your fatbike with these 29" wheels and make it your exploration or trail bike.949$ (CAD)- 29" Sun Ringle DÜROC 40 rims. Compatible with 2.4'' to 2.8'' tires.
- Front hub: Sun Ringle SRC 15mmx150mm
- Rear hub: Sun Ringle SRC 12mm x 177 or 197mm, HG, XD or Microspline cassette body available
- Spokes: Stainless steel double butted
- Quality handbuilt by Panorama Cycles
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Derailleur hanger
PartsAlways a good idea to have a spare derailleur hanger when venturing a little further than usual...25$ – 40$ (CAD) -
Thru axle – Front wheel
PartsThru axle for the front wheel. Bolt-on type (no lever), install with 6mm hex key.40$ (CAD) -
Anticosti
Gravel BikesWhen 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 custom selection of Reynolds 725 steel tubing, tapered where necessary to reduce weight. For this generation, the geometry has been revised (shorter seat tube length and slightly slackened steer angle) and the new shaped chainstays offer more clearance to the rear tire. This bike is ready for a quick gravel loop, or a more ambitious multi-day trip. *Frameset comes with wheel axles, headset installed, seatpost collar and frame protectors.1,649$ – 3,299$ (CAD) -
Sale
Chic-Chocs 2024 – Demo
Factory OutletSome 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) -
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T-shirt Bikepacking
ClothingA fully equipped fatbike ready to take off. Bikepacking pure and simple.30$ (CAD) -
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) -
Sale
Chic-Chocs 2023 – New
Factory Outlet* 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)