EVENT. From June 29 to July 2, the gravel roads of the Eastern Townships will be taken over by participants of the Gravel Bikepacking Challenge (GBC). An endurance cycling event in which five cycling enthusiasts will participate gravel bike from the Granby region.
In the early morning of June 29, there will be nearly 200 athletes lined up on the starting line in downtown Magog and ready to set off on an adventure across the dirt and gravel roads of the Cantons-de- ballast. Two route choices with checkpoints are available to cyclists who want to exceed their limits: 250 or 500 km solo or in pairs.
“Cyclists can take up to four days to complete this challenge. There are several stops along the route to taste local products from the many local merchants, which adds a dimension of discovery,” says Audrey Lemieux, communications director at Endurance Aventure.
Nima Marandi (250 km solo), from Shefford, Clément Robidoux (250 km solo), from Granby, Lucie Bellemare (250 km, duo) from Shefford, Pierre Lambert (250 km, duo), from Shefford, and Philippe Brasseur (500 km, solo), from Roxton Pond will explore the country roads during the fifth edition of the GBC.
For the GBC 2024, participants will get to know the gravel roads of the MRCs of Memphrémagog, Coaticook and Val-Saint-François.
A duo outing
Passionate about cycling and gravel roads, Lucie Bellemare will be participating in the GBC for the third time. She will be cycling as a duo with her partner Pierre Lambert.
“It was our friend Martin Lesauteur, from Argon 18, who suggested that we register following the purchase of our bikes. We have lived in the Eastern Townships for several years and this event allows us to discover new routes and landscapes. We are not at all into performance even if we have a lot of respect for those who manage to complete the 250 km and 500 km in a very fast time,” says Lucie Bellemare.
But beyond the kilometers and the altitude differences (more than 3000 meters in places), the GBC is intended, first and foremost, to be an opportunity for the Bellemare-Lambert duo to stretch their legs while unearthing hidden treasures in the Eastern Townships.
“Our biggest preparation, once we have the official route, is finding places where we can sleep while not straying too far from the route. Last year, we made a great discovery by staying at Ferme du pied levé in Fitch Bay. That’s also what the GBC is, an opportunity to make great discoveries and great encounters,” confides the Sheffordoise.
At the time of departure, Lucie Bellemare and her accomplice will have only one objective in mind, which is to finish the first 125 kilometers before nightfall and cross the finish line of the GBC the next day.
