Written by Arnaud Cote Boisvert.
You have to start at the beginning. Aside from taking one of the most beautiful and wild spaces that Quebec has to offer, this route also includes a history section. We have to go back before the 1960s, where the most beautiful territories and the best fishing lakes in Quebec were reserved for an elite gathered in clubs. In the early 70s outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and fishermen demanded the end of these clubs. The "stripping" in phases began as early as the 1970s. On December 22, 1977, Yves Duhaime announced to the people of Quebec: "We give you these new territories." ZEC (ecological zones) were created. It is in this momentum of reappropriation of these sectors that I wanted to discover the ZECs in my own way... by bike!
The purpose of the trip was to be done over a period of two days (or more) and to cross as many ZEC as possible. By starting the research on ZECs near my home (which I already knew) I quickly realized the extent of the land that was presented to me. The beauty of this region is magnificent and I understood the scope of what could be achieved there! After one or two nights of Google Earth, the route was born! 215 km, 4,200 m of elevation gain with 90% unpaved roads, PARADISE!
We had planned a weekend to complete this route. It was by starting early on a Saturday morning that we decided to start this adventure. By facing the ZEC of L'Anse-St-Jean first, a fabulous territory with several 4x4 paths crossing several lakes. The second ZEC to follow suit was the Lac au Sable ZEC. This ZEC is aptly named. Very sandy roads and more difficult to pedal. By chance, this section, as well as all the sections of the road, has a lot of water supply points. The ZEC du Lac au Sable made us leave the Saguenay region to switch to Charlevoix, where our first and only food supply stop is possible, in Clermont.
It is by touching the asphalt of the city of Clermont that we have the chance to supply ourselves with food. It’s also the best time to take a well-deserved break before tackling the biggest climb of the course but also the most beautiful portion. Following the end of the bitumen section, at the foot of the fabulous Mont Morios, the gates of the ZEC des Martres, an area of exceptional and wild beauty. This is also where the hardest part begins. The beautiful dirt roads gradually turn into a steep and long ascent, along rivers and lakes of unparalleled beauty. It is by arriving on the high charlevoisian plateaus that we can see the extent of the territory which surrounds us, summits, lakes and rivers as far as the eye can see.
At kilometer 131 km in the Zec des Martres is also the crux of the course, a good section of Hike-a-Bike starts up to the top of the ZEC des Martres and the descent towards the fabulous river Malbaie at kilometer 161 is just as steep and technical, big rocks are waiting for you. It is largely for this technical section that the mountain bike is required and that the technical grade climbs.
The last part offers respite and beauty to drive effortlessly through the ZEC of Lac Brébeuf, a quiet place, dotted with cabins of hunters, fishermen who are like us, nature lovers. It is with smiles and greetings that you will be welcomed in this area that we could almost call home because we can feel the approach of the end of this adventure.
We did it in 2 days, including a night in a tent near the Gouffre river in the ZEC des Martres, a perfect place to relax and swim after a good day on the bike and before starting THE climb of the course. However, everything can easily be done in 3 or 4 days with several other stops in the other ZECs. The beauty of ZECs is precisely to be able to sleep where we want, it’s a freedom that is good to live during this fabulous project, especially since the cellular network is rare on most of the route.
In terms of equipment, we used the Seatpacker for one bike and the Rollpacker for the other. The Rear Rollpacker offers the possibility to put the bag on or under the rack, which provides enough clearance to use the rear suspension if needed. For the front, we all have the Front Rollpacker. An exceptional bag with the small compartment at the front of the bag for quick access for food, camera or picking mushrooms! The attachment systems did not move throughout the entire course despite the very rough terrain.
