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The Best Fatbike Outings in the Townships

Published on Feb 7, 2023

Gone are the days when cyclists would hibernate. They’re now active all winter long on their fatbikes, these oversized bikes able to conquer acres of snow as easily as snowmobiles. In this article, four fatbike enthusiasts share their favourite Eastern Townships destinations.

By Simon Diotte

Hugues Edmond is a fatbike pioneer in the Eastern Townships. “About twelve years ago, I was the first, if not one of the first, to ride a bike with oversized tires in Magog,” recalls this retired school principal. At the time, the official network of trails was very limited, or simply inexistent; However, this snow cyclist was quite happy to ride his bike out on the frozen waters of Lake Memphremagog. “It’s still one of my favourite destinations. It’s so easy to create a route by pedalling in the snowmobile trails. At sunset, it’s pure bliss,” says the 59-year-old cyclist. He now shares this experience as a co-organizer of the Traversée hivernale Memphrémagog, which, of course, will be carried out in “fat” mode. The cycling event will take place on February 25, 2023.

Since Hughes Emond’s first ride, the fatbike scene has changed quite a lot. Today, it’s a thriving activity. In the Townships, the fatbike network has expanded considerably and boasts being able to cater to winter cyclists of all levels.

Here are some venues, enthusiasts of the sport highly recommend you should try out you studded tires.


©Daphné Caron

For Riding the Wind

An avid fatbiker for the past three years, Denise Parsons loves to pedal on the Le Grand-Tour trail that runs around the Choinière reservoir in the Parc National de la Yamaska. “It’s a very pleasant ride over a fairly easy terrain. There are several relaxing stops along the way,” says the 50-year-old snow cyclist. Throughout the entire snow season, the park employees groom the trail, making it easy to get around. “I like the fact that the track is wide, because it allows us to ride side by side in good company. Because traffic is sparse, this adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the place,” says this frequent visitor to the 13.4 km2 park. Fatbike rentals are available on the site.


For a Good Pace Ride

The vast 25 km Fatbike-Lac Brompton trail network is Kathy Sue Daniel’s first choice, and she rides here at least twice a week. “The trails provide a good challenge and are very fast, but they’re not too daunting. Since it’s travelled in both directions, it’s like riding a 50 km network, because the experience varies greatly from one way to the other,” says this high school English teacher. Her favourite trail? The 20, because of its remote location in the forest. Fatbikes rentals are available on the site.


©Daphné Caron

For a Challenge & Scenic Combo

Besides Lake Memphremagog, another favourite playground for our veteran Fatbiker, Hugues Edmond, can be found inside the Parc National du Mont-Orford. “The network is vast (25 km), offers a variety of challenges, and is impeccably maintained,” explains the four-season cyclist. The green trails, such as L’Amiral and Le Vice-Roi, are perfect for an initiation or for a warm-up activity. The blue runs such as La Chanterelle and Le Monarque are suitable for a more challenging experience, while the black run, L’Amanite, will get your heart pumping and will require constant vigilance in the downhill section.


For the Ultimate Challenge

Christian Bruneau, a fatbike fanatic, finds happiness in the mountain network, a maze of trails running along the slopes of Mount Brome, one of the five sectors of the Parc des Sommets de Bromont. “The climbs are steep, the descents are tough. You need an incredible cardio. It’s really a playground for maniacs. I can stay here for hours without ever getting tired,” says the 43-year-old father.

When looking for a longer, less strenuous outing, Christian Bruneau takes his bike out on the C1 trail, Bromont’s hiking belt, a 15-kilometre loop. This shared trail, also makes room for cross-country skiing, hiking and horseback riding, and leads you around Mount Brome, the largest of the Montérégie hills. “It isn’t a difficult trail, but it’s not easy either. There are some good climbs along the way,” he warns.

Bromont, however, doesn’t only offer terrains for experts. The Oak Mountain network, with its wider and easier trails, meets the expectations of less experienced cyclists. What’s more, the new Parc des Sommets reception pavilion rents out fatbikes, onsite. So, it’s now or never, time to try one for yourself!

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