For the adventurous

Grand Depart

Use the link below to register your intent to ride at the Grand Depart

Grand Depart Intent to Ride

The Canadian Shield Bikepacking Route is a 900km adventure through the Laurentian Mountains of Western Quebec. With alternative distances of 250km, 400km, or 1150 km, there is definitely something for everyone.

The route will take riders off the grid, through some of the region's most epic trails and roads, including Gatineau Park, Mont Tremblant National Park, Montagne du Diable Regional Park, Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, Ouareau Forest, Centre Vorlage and Mont Ste. Marie.With over 13500 metres of elevation gain across the 900km route, this is definitely a route that will challenge you both physically and mentally, while creating a lifetime of memories.

For those looking to keep things a little less spicy, control points throughout will indicate where you can go to avoid some of the more intense sections of trail.The Grand Depart for 2025 will begin at the conclusion of the 3rd annual Canadian Shield Bikepacking Summit, allowing participants to go on an epic bike adventure at the conclusion of the summit. With a departure time of 5:30pm, you'll start the adventure with a night ride and good company.


The ONLY question left to answer is:

What type of bikepacking adventure are you looking for?


Canadian Shield 250: The CS250 is a 250m adventure through the Outaouais region of Quebec, over a mixture of gravel roads, unmaintained winter roads, rail trail and doubletrack. This route will take you up along the Gatineau River to Gracefield, before turning east where you will get some chunky unmaintained roads on the west side of Lac Cayamant. After reaching Otter Lake, it's a mix of gravel roads and double track through the Gatineau Park as you make your way back to Wakefield. This is the perfect ride to get a taste of bikepacking adventures.

Canadian Shield 400: The CS 400 is a 400km adventure through the Outaouais region of Quebec, over a mixture of gravel roads, unmaintained winter roads, doubletrack, singletrack and rail trail. Cruising through forests, provincial parks and ski resorts, this is the perfect route for bikepackers looking to challenge themselves with a route that dishes out a lot of trails and elevation gain. This route is perfect for those on a time constraint and unable to take on a longer adventure. Lastly, it's also the perfect early season adventure to get your bikepacking legs ready for some bigger and longer routes.

Canadian Shield Bikepacking Route: The CSBR is a thrilling 900km sojourn across and over the Laurentian Mountains in Western Quebec. With around 13,500 metres of elevation gain, you'll have all the great riding of the CS 400 but also get to traverse the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve and its rugged roads, the Montagne du Diable Regional Park, which is filled with excellent single and doubletrack, as well as some truly spectacular lake district cottage country.

Canadian Shield XL: The CSXL is the longest Canadian Shield route, as 1150km odyssey through a huge swath of Western Quebec. In addition to the CSBR, you will cross the Ouareau Forest Regional Park and traverse Mont Tremblant National Park, providing you ample opportunities to explore the vast region of lakes and some of the higher points of the Laurentian Mountains.

Vision

The Canadian Shield Bikepacking Routes were created to foster growth within the bikepacking community and take riders off the beaten path, so that they can explore the region by bicycle. The routes are designed to challenge riders with significant amounts of singletrack, doubletrack, unmaintained winter roads, regional parks, national parks, nature reserves, and more. Whether going on your own, or riding it with friends, this route is guaranteed to leave you some lasting memories.

We've got the answers to your questions

What is a Grand Depart?

A grand depart is an unsanctioned event where a group of bikepackers meet up to ride a route at a predetermined location and time. There is no registration required, support, insurance or prize for completing the route and the event is not a race or organized event. Each rider is expected to be completely self-sufficient throughout the ride, arranging their own lodgings, food stops, and water management. Safety is of the utmost importance and riders are encouraged to notify their family and friends of their route and other safety information. Large parts of this route are outside of cellular coverage zones. Riders are also responsible for paying any required park fees.

Riders may indicate their intention of to ride the Canadian Shield Bikepacking Route Grand Depart by filling out this form after reading all of the following information. Completing the registration is merely intended to provide a means of communication with the other riders so that they are up to date on the most current information available.

Riders that cannot make it to the Grand Depart are more than welcome to ride the route at any other time of their own choosing. Riders who have completed the route may submit a photo for inclusion on the "finishers gallery". The same applies to those who have set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT).

How is the route difficulty determined?

Rather than re-creating an entirely new system of grading the difficulty of a bikepacking route, we at Bikepack Adventures have decided to use the grading system created by Bikepacking Roots. The difficulty is broken down into 2 main components: Physical difficulty and Technical difficulty. This is given an overall average out of 10 in the key stats part of the route but is described more fully in the tabbed section under the heading “Difficulty”. For more details, read the article Rating the Difficulty of Bikepacking Routes in my blog.

What is a Fastest Known Time (FKT)?

As this is not a race, riders may choose to ride alone, in pairs or in small groups. Riders attempting to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT) record, start at the same time as other riders at the Grand Depart, but must complete the ride individually, without any outside assistance that is not commercially available to all other participants. An FKT rider may not draft another rider at any time. A rider's time is the total elapsed time, including all stops, that it takes to complete the route. Any rider claiming an FKT time must provide a Strava or RideWithGPS file for their ride.

Be aware that all routes published, posted and linked to are unsupported and unsanctioned with no insurance provided. All riders are responsible for their own personal well-being when riding on any of the routes on the Bikepack Adventures website and do so at their own risk. The route developer takes no responsibility for personal injury, damage to personal property or any other circumstance that might happen to individual riders cycling these route. There is no guarantee of route conditions at any given time and the route developer takes no responsibility for disrupted route conditions. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and decisions that are made including accommodation and necessary detours. It is advised to study route maps and make note of your supply options as well as possible detours. If you are not comfortable riding a section of a route, take any necessary alternatives. Planning and due diligence is imperative as is riding within your means.  People “racing” the route do so at their own risk.

An FKT may also be set in the form of an individual time trial, whereby the rider may attempt the route at any time during the season and beginning from any location they wish.

Should I wild or stealth camp?

Wild camping means to camp outside of traditional places like campgrounds. For most people, it is also a big step in their bikepacking journey and can be a difficult first step to take. At Bikepack Adventures, we believe that this is really something that needs to be worked up to. The first step is get out with a friend or group of friends and go camping in one of the many municipal, provincial or national parks that we have here in Canada. In Quebec, many of the National Parks have a Bienvenue Cyclistes! which offer discounted camping rates for those arriving on bikes. The next step would be to go with some friends and "wild" camp on some Crown land so you can practice camping without any amenities such as running water, toilets, and shelter. This will give you a chance to practice leave no trace principles, burying your waste and packing out your rubbish. Finally, try wild camping on your own to practice self-reliance. Keep in mind that many people go bikepacking with campsites and hotels pre-booked. Nothing says you have to wild camp just because you are out bikepacking.

10 Important Considerations

  1. Self-Sufficiency: Riders must be entirely self-supported, carrying all necessary gear, food, and tools for their journey. Outside assistance is not allowed unless it is commercially available to all participants.
  2. Route Familiarity: Study the route in advance, including potential resupply points, accommodations, water sources, and any challenging sections. Be prepared for possible detours or obstacles.
  3. Safety First: Carry proper safety gear, including a helmet, lights for low-visibility conditions, reflective clothing, and a first aid kit. Consider bringing a satellite tracker for emergencies, especially in remote areas without cellular coverage.
  4. Fitness and Endurance: Ensure you are physically prepared for the demands of the route. A Grand Depart often involves long distances, challenging terrain, and varying weather conditions.
  5. Time Management: Plan your time wisely, factoring in rest breaks, food stops, and potential delays. For those pursuing an FKT (Fastest Known Time), total elapsed time includes all stops.
  6. Respect for Nature and Communities: Follow "Leave No Trace" principles by packing out all waste and treating wilderness and communities along the route with care. Support local businesses whenever possible.
  7. Weather Awareness: Check the forecast and prepare for adverse weather conditions. Bring appropriate clothing and gear to handle temperature fluctuations, rain, or extreme heat.
  8. Mental Resilience: Be prepared for the psychological challenges of long-distance riding, including fatigue, isolation, and navigating unexpected issues. Stay positive and focused on the experience.
  9. Equipment Reliability: Ensure your bike and gear are in top condition before the ride. Bring spare parts and tools for repairs, as mechanical issues can arise in remote areas.
  10. Rules and Etiquette: Understand and follow the guidelines of the Grand Depart, including those for FKT attempts. Be courteous to other riders, trail users, and locals, prioritizing safety and mutual respect.

Disclaimer

Participation in a bikepacking Grand Depart or an attempt at a Fastest Known Time (FKT) is entirely voluntary and undertaken at your own risk. By participating, you acknowledge and accept the following terms:

  1. Assumption of Risk: Riders are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being throughout the event or route. Bikepacking involves inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, equipment failure, wildlife encounters, challenging weather conditions, and navigational errors. Riders must evaluate their personal fitness and preparedness before undertaking such activities.
  2. No Liability: The organizers, route developers, and any associated entities assume no liability for any personal injury, property damage, or other incidents that may occur during participation. All information shared via websites, social media, or other channels is for reference purposes only, and no guarantees are made regarding route safety or conditions.
  3. Route Conditions: Riders are responsible for assessing and navigating the route based on their abilities and the conditions at the time of riding. The route may include remote areas with limited access to services and unpredictable terrain. It is the rider's responsibility to plan appropriately and bring necessary supplies for self-sufficiency.
  4. Self-Supported and Unofficial Nature: Grand Departs and FKTs are informal, self-supported endeavors. There is no support, insurance, entry fee, or prize for completion. Riders are responsible for adhering to all applicable local laws and regulations.
  5. Planning and Safety Equipment: Riders must take full responsibility for their preparation and safety, including carrying adequate safety gear (e.g., helmets, lights, reflective clothing) and any required navigation or emergency devices. Riders are encouraged to notify friends or family of their plans and expected completion times.
  6. Environmental and Community Respect: All participants must adhere to "Leave No Trace" principles and show respect for the communities and natural areas along the route. Riders are responsible for packing out all waste and avoiding any behavior that may harm the environment or disrupt local residents.

By participating in a Grand Depart or attempting an FKT, you affirm that you have read and understood this liability disclaimer and agree to these terms. Riders are solely accountable for their decisions, actions, and overall experience while on the route.

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