My name is Pierre-Luc Cyr. I’m a 31-year-old family man, firefighter, and resident of Baie-Comeau in Côte-Nord. I thrive on adrenaline, summer and winter, as I explore my region from end to end in search of new spots. My passion for backcountry exploration began with snowmobiling and goes as far back as I can remember.
Exploring Côte-Nord on an Adventure Bike
Over time, I wanted to continue my explorations during the summer. That’s why I ventured into the world of adventure biking in 2020. I now take my rides with a 2022 Honda CRF 450RL across the Canadian Shield, where Côte-Nord is located. Whether it’s forest trails, federated paths, or even unused roads that are now very difficult to access, I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone. This allows me to return and share the best shots from every corner of the region.
The Honda CRF 450RL: A Lightweight and Versatile Adventure Bike
The CRF 450RL is primarily known for its use in rallies. It offers great versatility and proven reliability. Although it’s not originally designed as an adventure bike like the Honda Africa Twin, it’s a perfect “light adventure” bike. With a good setup, I can cover over 400 km on a single tank. Given its lightweight compared to a typical adventure bike, it allows me to explore more rugged and complex trails, which are abundant in our territory.
Trails for Adventurers: The Trans Quebec Trail Project
I’ve always admired participants in the Cains Quest and Dakar. That’s why I took part in the Challenge Blanc in 2021 and the Parent Rally in 2023. This gave me some experience in the rally world and fuelled my passion for adventure biking and self-discovery. This passion led me to work with the Trans-Quebec Trail (TQT) team to develop an off-road trail across my region. For those who don’t know, the TQT is a trail that spans over 8,000 km across Quebec. Most of these paths are gravel. You can find it on the TQT mobile app or on their website.
Northern Adventure: Sharing My Côte-Nord Adventure
To introduce this new territory to as many people as possible, I started posting on social media under the name Northern Adventure. On these platforms, I share videos and photos of my backcountry rides. You’ll find images of landscapes as well as tourist attractions to see during your visit. Many upcoming projects will be shared on my social media, including some with supporting partners.
Côte-Nord, « The New World »
True to its motto “Between Measure and Excess,” Côte-Nord is a territory of nearly 352,000 km² filled with lakes, rivers, and forest trails, while also bordering the Saint Lawrence River. It has gained recognition in the motorcycle world, particularly in adventure biking, in recent years. There are currently two official ways to visit Côte-Nord. First, you can travel the 950 km of Route 138 from Tadoussac to Kegaska. Alternatively, you can choose to drive the 1,200 km of the Trans-Quebec Trail from Saguenay to Sept-Îles, passing through Monts Groulx.
Côte-Nord is renowned for its natural and wild landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. Nearly all of its land area consists of public lands, wildlife reserves, and ZECs (wildlife management zones). This makes it a free and accessible territory for everyone! Its off-road section, which was not well known a few years ago, is a must-explore. Côte-Nord includes several remote trails hundreds of kilometres away from any civilization or cell network. This makes it a region for true adventurers and thrill seekers. You must be well prepared for your expeditions. You’ll likely be one of the few people on the trails you travel. Several pieces of equipment are recommended, which I will discuss in another article.
In conclusion, stay tuned for upcoming articles that will delve deeper into the many ways to conquer Côte-Nord and its wild states. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube under the name Northern Adventure.
