This summer, I'm trying... mountain biking!

Writing

Laura Martin, she shares her crushes and discoveries with us for our greatest happiness!

Mountain biking has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity in Quebec in recent years, and the Lower St. Lawrence is far from pedaling in a vacuum! Trails have multiplied and diversified in our forests.

Once seen as a sport for daredevils, who returned from their ride with an arm in plaster and mud up to their necks, mountain biking is now accessible to everyone. Want to inject a little adrenalin into your pedal-powered outings? Strap on your helmet! See you at the bottom of the hill.

Is mountain biking really for me?

The answer is yes (even if I don’t know you personally!) The sport has become much more democratic, with courses for all levels – from curious beginner to stuntman.

There’s no need to go for speed or spectacular jumps right from the start. The aim? Move around, enjoy nature, discover new trails and have fun, at your own pace (better to be too careful than to end up hugging a tree against your will…).

What do I need

to get started?

A mountain biking (preferably with front suspension), a well-fitting helmet and, ideally, gloves and elbow and knee pads.

Comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes and a water bottle are other essentials.

Don’t have a bike? For the moment, few centers in the region offer bike rentals. Before investing in a purchase, try borrowing a friend’s bike for a day.

Is it a dangerous sport?

Life is a dangerous sport, as an Olympic diver turned TV host once reminded us. So, yes, of course, there’s a certain danger in speeding through the woods at 30 kilometers an hour. But if you follow basic safety rules, you’ll be no closer to death than riding an electric scooter through traffic. (You’ll have a better cardio, for example!).

Start with easy trails, keep your speed moderate and adapted to trail conditions, be aware of your surroundings and don’t hesitate to get off the bike in the more technical sections. (Before taking a break, make sure no one is following you closely, and pull over to the side of the trail with your bike!) Riding in pairs or groups is also advisable for greater safety.

A final word of advice
before letting go of the brakes?

Take the time to familiarize yourself with your bike and the terrain. And above all… have fun! Mountain biking is an adventure, not a competition.

You’ll be amazed at the progress you make after just a few outings. You’ll discover corners of the forest (and new muscles!) you’d never have explored otherwise.

Where can I get started in Bas-Saint-Laurent?

In the Rivière-du-Loup area, two places stand out: the La Meute trails, with their new initiation zone for toddlers and a section reserved for beginners and intermediates, and the brand-new Sentiers du Portage, in Notre-Dame-du-Portage, offering 10 kilometers of family trails, between land and sea.

Rivière-du-LoupFrançois Couillard, Au Queb

In the Rimouski area, the renowned Sentiers du Mont-Comi, with their 250-300 m elevation gain, and the Beauséjour Park trails along the river are sure to thrill. In the heart of Kamouraska, Boisé Beaupré in La Pocatière boasts eight trails designed for beginners, perfect for learning the sport.

Sentiers de la Meute

75, rue Frontenac,
Rivière-du-Loup,
Québec G5R 1S6

T. 5813377111

Website

See the card

Le Boisé Beaupré

100-124 Rte de Sainte-Anne–Saint-Onésime,
La Pocatière,
Québec G0R 1Z0

T. 4188563394

Website

See the card

Parc du Mont-Comi

300, chemin du Plateau,
Saint-Donat,
Québec G0K 1L0