The Gravel Bikepacking Challenge 500

Another Memorable Edition for the GBC500

Press Release / 25.08.2022

MAGOG, August 19, 2022 – The organizing committee of the 3rd GBC 500/presented by Argon 18 can say mission accomplished after offering a memorable edition of this cycling event, from August 13 to 17, 2022.

Nearly 220 gravel bike enthusiasts took part in this major event organized by the Endurance Aventure group, which aims to discover the most beautiful country roads in the Eastern Townships on predefined routes of 500 and 250 km.

For the first time, the start of this challenge was given in the heart of the host municipality, downtown Magog, last Saturday (August 13) in the morning.

It also welcomed for the first time a representative of Great Britain, Mark Beaumont, record holder of the fastest round the world by bike. He honored his reputation by covering the 500 km course in 21 hours 39 minutes.

They were three runners this year to complete the 500 km in less than 24 hours: Beaumont, Patrick Melfi (22 hours 53 minutes) and Olympian Lyne Bessette (23 hours 17 minutes).

Three other athletes completed the 250 km course in less than 12 hours. They are Félix Hamel (10 hours 56 minutes), Loïc Mathurin (11 hours 08 minutes) and François Belzile (11 hours 37 minutes).

Despite the length and difficulty of the two courses (cumulating respectively more than 3500 and 7000 meters of elevation gain), barely 10 % of the participants were forced to abandon, either for lack of time, due to mechanical breakdown or for physical problems.

25% of cyclists even crossed the finish line by riding continuously (non-stop) or taking very little rest. This strategy involved riding in the dark during the first night from Saturday to Sunday. This was notably the case for Serge Dugas, from Magog, who, at almost 71 years old, completed the 500 km in 37 hours 18 minutes.

All the others took between two and five days to make their respective journeys. A dozen cyclists participated in the electric bike challenge.

It should be noted that all arrivals were made at the Vélo-Café Endurance Aventure, the event's headquarters.

No less than six MRCs were visited during this 3rd edition of the GBC 500. In addition to the MRC de Memphrémagog, the routes also passed on the territories of La Pommeraie, Haute-Yamaska, Val-Saint-François, Sherbrooke and Coaticook.

Once again, the organizers of this GBC 500 (Gravel Bikepacking Challenge) have obtained excellent collaboration from their partners and sponsors. About fifteen local businesses welcomed cyclists for mandatory checkpoints and snack breaks, while proposing some of their specialties.

Among the favorites of 2022, let's mention the delicatessen Le Béret Rouge, in Fitch Bay, which created a buzz with its pizzas. And as was the case last year, cyclists particularly enjoyed their visit to the Cantine du Lac as well as its colorful owner.

Certainly possessing international potential, the GBC 500 welcomed this year some participants from outside Quebec. In addition to Britain's Mark Beaumont, there were Americans and Ontario cyclists on the list of registrants.

The organizers, who are already working on the routes of the 4th edition, have even hinted at the possibility of a stage of the GBC "in another country" in the near future.