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Now that snow has finally blanketed the city, it's the perfect time to take a fond look back at our excellent 2020 gravel biking season! We're offering a retrospective of the exciting photo contest launched at the beginning of summer by MTL Gravelle. The organizers invited all members to submit their best photo, one that perfectly captured the spirit of adventure cycling and Montreal. No fewer than thirty submissions enlivened the Facebook group for a few weeks. Let's take a look at some of them!
On the agenda here: a little more on the top participants of this edition, their cycling journeys, their favorite spots, and/or their photo concept. Part one of two, in no particular order!
An inevitable preamble: Marie-Pierre is a seasoned adventurer. You can find her photo stories and blog at filledebois.ca . She was also the grand prize winner of the contest, chosen by popular vote. Her photo almost instantly became a classic! In fact, she won a weekend gravel bike rental package to introduce a friend to the sport, generously provided by Maglia Rosa !
Photo credit: Marie-Pierre Savard
" The Montreal Seaway Park is definitely my favorite place to ride in the city! Close by, yet wild at the same time. I always take the singletrack trail to ride to the Recreation Park." For me, gravel biking and bikepacking paradise is the less crowded and the wilder it is, the better!!!
So tell us a bit about your bike? It seems you like big tires.
" It's a 2018 Salsa Vaya. As for tires, being a contemplative and relaxed adventure cyclist, lightness or speed isn't an important factor for me. What I want is to explore as many trails as possible. I find that my 50mm tires (admittedly super comfortable and suited to the wildest terrain) are still a bit of a hindrance when I want to go for rides around town where I also have to ride on pavement. But having also tried 40mm tires, I didn't feel as comfortable and stable on certain trails. Eventually, I think 45mm tires will be perfect on my Salsa! " - MPS
Photo credit: Étienne Poirier
" Pointe-aux-Prairies: a ride right on the doorstep awaits you, not complicated and quickly into the woods, no gas-guzzling machines, a deer along the way. Yep, you're really on the island! Go early, the trails are even more inspiring when you can go all out! "
...Étienne is one of the administrators of the MTL Gravelle group, considered by many to be a pioneer in the exploration of urban gravel riding in Montreal. He also rides a gravel bike equipped with a controversial mustache handlebar (!). He defends it: according to him, it's " the perfect handlebar for my transition from mountain biking to gravel biking. With just one finger on the brake, you can handle some pretty tricky sections! " - EP
He is also known in the community for his vocal affiliation with the informal group of Maxxis Rambler tire fans, #TEAMRAMBLER.
Photo credit: Thomas Seth Blondy
Hi Thomas. Who are you, and what do we see?
“ Thomas, originally from Martinique. Fell back into the world of cycling 8 years ago, when I moved to Montreal. Gravel biking has been a great discovery for me. I've ended up with a fantastic Bombtrack Hook EXT, the fabulous Shimano GRX groupset, and a *fancy* dropper post...!!!
A gravelbike dropper post, WTF!
" The dropper post was a pretty decisive choice for my needs. I mainly use my gravel bike on singletrack trails of varying technical difficulty. The dropper post gives me a bit more peace of mind! "
Okay, okay.
" The photo was taken at Domaine Vert Park in Mirabel, on trails I discovered by chance one weekend with a friend. It's become a little routine to go there after work at least once a week. There you have it! " - TSB
Photo credit: Audrey Bergeron, collaborative submission with Hervé Lasbats
So, tell me everything!
“ I do gravel biking occasionally. At the beginning, let’s just say that my boyfriend, who is a crazy enthusiast, STRONGLY ENCOURAGED me…! And last spring, I took the plunge, I invested in my first real gravel bike: a Devinci Hatchet.
The photo was taken at the beginning of the season, in a country road in Laval, while we were on our way to the TransTerrebonne — it was magnificent! However, on the way back, after nightfall, I was still following those two guys who were kicking up a huge cloud of dust behind them, and despite my headlight, I couldn't see a thing! At one point, as if blinded, I crashed at full speed into a rut that I didn't see coming! Thankfully, there wasn't a scratch on the bike or on me. But I won't soon forget that day! - AB
WOW!
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Stay tuned for the second part of this series, coming very soon.
The author has been passionate about cycling since childhood. A former bike shop worker, he is now finishing his studies in communications. This blog reflects his independent opinion.
