Service Description

Consider this session your first foray into camping with your bike! The goal is to get you comfortable on a loaded bike for simple overnight bikepacking adventures. This overnight trip introduces the participant to the fundamental skills required for safe and efficient travel on their bike, specific to bikepacking. The ideal participant has little to no previous experience with bikepacking but is a cyclist at the beginner to intermediate level and has a basic camping set up and a few camping trips under their belt, be it from hiking or canoe tripping experiences. Participants will learn how to pack a bike for overnight travel, plan and follow a route and fuel themselves properly. This session is to introduce beginner type bikepacking trips, in front-country and semi-remote settings. Itinerary and Route: A detailed itinerary is sent to all participants once we finalize the individual consultations as this will determine estimated travel speeds and appropriate terrain type. Given that this session is geared towards the less experienced, terrain type and riding distances will reflect a conservative approach with the option to explore more distance and challenging terrain should conditions and group needs allow. Location: We focus our sessions to happen in the vast expanse of the Upper Ottawa Valley and Western Quebec. This area is well known to us and is rich in history and culture. The Ottawa Valley backcountry offers up all the perfect ingredients for bikepacking. What's Included: -Shuttles if applicable -Two dehydrated meals (2x Supper) -Custom Grand Departs Long Spork -Route files and paper maps (if applicable) -Fox 40 Whistle and lanyard -Evacuation if applicable -Detailed Packing List provided upon registration -Pre-session one hour consultation (online or in person) to align the participant with gear, outcomes and expectations for a successful Grand Depart. *What is 'soft-guided' you ask? In brief, soft guiding is the idea that each participant is set up for success through proper and professional instruction and leadership but not 'hand held' throughout their experience. We cannot steer the bike or boat for you however the goal remains to adequately prepare each individual to feel ready to execute their own trip with option always present to reach out to the guide. Yes, we go on the trip with you! While on trip, we are there to support, to instruct key competencies and skills and to take care of the logistics.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds. Deposits/Payments can be transferred to another session at another time/date. Contact Grand Departs for more information.

Contact Details

• Beachburg, Ontario, Canada

  6134155863

  granddeparts@gmail.com