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Published on Apr 14, 2021
Mountain bike season is just about to get started. I’m a true fan of this sport with all the emotional highs it offers me, and I’m not alone since its popularity is soaring. Plein air Sutton has contributed to this rise by increasing its number of visitor traffic in 2020 by … 300%!
By Yvan Martineau
Mountain biking in Sutton, which began here just about 5 years ago, is well worth being discovered. However, we must tip our hats to Plein air Sutton, an organization supported by a group of volunteers who invest their time and energy for the wellbeing of the cycling community. The legendary Mont-Sutton ski resort prides itself on its authentic and friendly ambiance, and for always respecting nature with each decision taken by the group. Clearly, this philosophy transpires in the trail development by this OBNL of which Mont Sutton is one of the partners.
“Our trails are indeed designed with respect to the reputation of the resort, explains Patrick Ménard, a member of the governing board. They’re inspired by what the mountain and the terrain offer us and no blasting was carried out.”
“In 2017, we opened 16 km of trails for cyclists. Today, we can count 35 km thanks to the great commitment of many people who offered us their helping arms and their great mood,” explains Serge Canuel, the organization’s president and one of the three founders. “Ten more kilometres will be added in the near future, so we can enjoy the extraordinary beauty of this mountain even more by experiencing it at other times than just during the ski season.” Most will agree that Serge Canuel was the first who lit the spark and rallied everyone to get this project off the ground.
“We have such amazing views. Often, we’re in the middle of the forest and suddenly we arrive in an opening and this magnificent decor appears,” illustrates Éric Léonard, a professional trail designer and a volunteer at Plein Air Sutton.
We now have 28 trails, all starting out from the ski resort chalet is the starting point. There’s always a minimum of a challenge even for the easy trails. Most trails are, however, of intermediate level, and although there are no trails in the extremely difficult category, experts still have a lot of fun here.
“We design the trails according to the geomorphology of the territory, with as many natural elements as possible,” explains Éric Léonard. “Obstacles, including rock piles are built into the landscape.”
You’ll enjoy the sugar bush sector for its sparse underbrush when you ride along the Lundi Spaghatte and the Paye toi la traite trails. The pinewood sector offers a different type of soil. Powerful aromas will titillate your nostrils in the shade of these resin trees as you pedal your way through the Tabarouette, the Kouiki, the Chasseur and the Macramé trails. A third section, further out, will inspire the more adventurous, for instance our backcountry skiers. Although there are no trails that start out from the summit, you can still push your quads as you climb towards the number 2 chairlift, at an altitude of 680 metres.
Lyne Bessette, a Sutton citizen, athlete and Federal Deputy, Lyne Bessette is part of this team of volunteers, but refuses to take any credit. “I admire all the work they’ve accomplished. We can enjoy a fine variety of trails. While aspiring to one day head down the Tiguydou right through, I’m having a lot of fun on the Tiguydou mon minou.”
“These 35 km of trails constitute more than what you can cover in a day, concludes Éric Léonard. Anyway, cycling is sort of like skiing: You like to do your favourite trails over and over again.”
Finally, to end the day in sublime style, the exceptional ambiance of the village is not to be missed, with its micro-roaster Le Cafetier, the maple syrup pie of La Rumeur Affamée, and its two microbreweries, À l’Abordage and Sutton Brouërie. In fact, Sutton Brouërie created the Trail à Brett, a pale ale, for which part of the sales are directly handed over to Plein air Sutton to support their projects.
On that note, let’s raise our glasses to Plein air Sutton and to this new mountain biking season!
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
Mountain Biking in the Eastern Townships
