Our ambassador Marie-Pierre Savard lays out her dream rides/races and hopefully will inspire you to try one (or several) of these events.
I just came back from a month-long bikepacking vacation in Guatemala, where I was able to start my season off right with an intensive training session in the mountains of Guatemala. I love to leave at this time of the year, in early spring, and then come back and feel fit for the beginning of the cycling season in Montreal. But this year, with the gray temperature, the return was more difficult and I quickly fell back into my dreams... What to do with my summer and which destination to choose for my next short vacation?
In my head, I dream of a summer to wander, to cycle and to travel here and there, across the country. But Canada is big and distances make travel more complicated. Also, in all honesty, I don’t have that many summer vacations! So I’m sharing with you a fictitious 2026 "to-do list" of events I’d like to attend and clubs I’d like to ride with. I certainly won’t be able to do everything, but dreaming has no limits!
Great Northern Bikepacking Route (GNBR)- CANADA
The GNBR is probably the longest bikepacking route in the country. Crossing Canada from Victoria, B.C., to St. John’s, N.L., on mostly unpaved roads, this 13,000 km route is divided into 11 segments. Although very few people can boast of having completed it in full, an official Grand Départ is organized every year in May. And in a more realistic perspective, here are two sections that interest me and that I would like to do or redo.
Photo credit: @trip.longer
From Calgary to Regina: Forget the Alberta Rockies and the big national parks of the West, my proposal is more unusual: the Prairies! This section of about 1,000 km, which straddles segments 2 and 3 of the GNBR, has few vertical drops and is accessible to cyclists of all levels. I imagine this green and colorful road with wheat and canola fields as far as the eye can see. Typical landscapes of the prairies, suitable for contemplation, wow! It is also an opportunity to discover a rural culture and hospitality different from what we know in Quebec.
Newfoundland: This 900 km segment (#11) follows the T'Railway, a former railway converted into a multi-use trail. I had the chance to visit Newfoundland twice, including once in 2019 to ride this famous trail; it was love at first sight! However, be careful, the terrain is demanding (sand, large stones, gravel drifts, mud, etc.), but the slight difference in altitude forgives. And for cyclists who have more time or would like to vary the terrain with more maritime panoramas, the alternative routes offered on the GNBR site are excellent ways to lengthen themselves to maximize travel!
Buckland sur Gravelle- QC
This gravel race stands out for its massive elevation gain on gorgeous mountain roads! It takes place on July 4, 2026, in the small village of Buckland, in Quebec's Bellechasse-Etchemins region. Offering three routes ranging from 50 to 146 km, the organizers provide a welcoming, human-scale event, despite the demanding terrain and an elevation profile that is "no walk in the park"!
Photo credit: @trip.longer
Having participated myself last year, I was completely won over by the raw difficulty of this race, and I can confirm its reputation: Le Gros Buck (146 km) is undoubtedly the toughest gravel bike race in Quebec. Taking on the Buckland is a fantastic challenge to set for yourself and, depending on the distance you choose, will require some serious hill training beforehand (don’t make the same mistake I did!). My advice: since you're heading out there anyway, plan for a few extra days to explore the surrounding Parc régional du Massif-du-Sud. Bellechasse-Etchemins is a region with incredible cycling potential that is surprisingly still little-known.
Club Vélo Randonneurs du Québec (CVRQ)- QC
The CVRQ offers ultracycling in the form of loops to be completed within a set time limit, featuring mandatory checkpoints along the way. These rides, which generally range from 150 to 1,000 km, provide a structured framework to step out of your comfort zone gradually (or all at once!). With a calendar of over fifty rides a year starting from several cities across Quebec, there is no shortage of opportunities to ride with them.
While these long distances might seem intimidating, riding with the CVRQ builds confidence! Having shared the road with this club on a few occasions, I love that you meet people from all walks of life, driven by genuine camaraderie rather than a competitive spirit. Plus, although membership is paid, you can do two free trial rides before committing for the year.
Photo credit: @trip.longer
The club also stands out for its diverse offerings. Whether on paved roads, during their "Grevets" (200 km gravel rides), or even during their sub-zero 200 km winter ride, the CVRQ offers the perfect challenges to push your limits, no matter the terrain or the season!
Golden Horseshoe Bikepacking Race - ON
This nearly 1,700 km event through the Ontario backcountry is officially on my list for 2026, with a Grand Départ scheduled for this coming September 27th in Toronto. Founded in 2025 by Theo Kelsey-Verdecchia, the Golden Horseshoe stands out for the quality of its route: a meticulously planned, physically technical itinerary that quickly escapes the metropolis to plunge deep into the wilderness all the way to Algonquin Provincial Park.
Participating in this Grand Départ excites me tremendously! It will be a chance for me to discover new regions of Ontario, fueled by the motivation of ultra-distance riding: riding long enough to truly disconnect and enjoy everything nature (and my body) have to offer. I can't wait!
Les Fines Garnottes- QC
As the co-founder and president of this non-profit, I couldn't leave out this fabulous cycling collective based in Montreal! Les Fines Garnottes is my baby, yes, but above all, it's a gravel and adventure cycling club for women as well as trans and non-binary individuals. With around twenty rides a year across a dozen regions in Quebec, our accessible and inclusive approach prioritizes the joy of riding together and the thrill of discovery.
Evening, single-day, and weekend (bikepacking) trips are offered for free or at a low cost, catering to all skill levels. In fact, our club's route library on RideWithGPS is public, allowing cyclists to access several lesser-known loops where gravel roads and secondary trails are prioritized. It's an excellent resource to keep in mind when you're short on inspiration!
That wraps up my imaginary dream summer: a season set to the rhythm of diverse paths and the energy of passionate communities. If I chose to highlight these events and organizations, it's because they embody values that are dear to me, including accessibility and personal growth.
Have a great season!
Marie-Pierre Savard
