5 things you have to check out at Crossroads Tremblant 2019

Cycling season in the Laurentians will be ushered in with the Crossroads Tremblant weekend on May 24 to 26. With a new gravel fondo on Sunday in addition to the Grand Fondo Mont-Tremblant on Saturday and Canada Cup mountain bike racing to take in, it’s the season’s first big celebration of all things bikes.

There are so many activities and rides to do in Tremblant throughout the Crossroads weekend that it’s worth narrowing down some of the top things to do. It’s such a great spring cycling event with something for all riders, cycling enthusiasts and their families.

The Gran Fondo Mont-Tremblant

The route of the gran fondo offers up a nice balance of undulating but not-too-strenuous rural roads, the Le Nordet section with its longer and more challenging rises, and plenty of scenic Laurentian vistas. With 40-km, 80-km, 125-km and 160-km routes, there’s something for riders of all levels and abilities. The fondo takes place on Saturday leaving you with the rest of the weekend to partake in the Crossroads’ other activities. Ride marshals ensure groups keep a steady pace. Rest stations give everyone the opportunity to refuel mid-ride. The rides’ KOM challenges give you the opportunity to get competitive before settling back into the group rhythm.

Peppermint Bikefest

As if there wasn’t enough to do over the weekend, Peppermint hosts a women’s community event that includes a group ride and a happy hour. The festive Peppermint Bikefest includes a no-drop ride of 50 km or 75 km with a pre-ride preparation get-together, a mid-ride feed zone and a chance to socialize and enjoy a drink with everyone at the happy hour, which offers a valet bike-parking service. The Bikefest is the perfect opportunity to network with other riders, chill out in a fun environment and, of course, share a passion for cycling on Tremblant’s beautiful roads.

Spectate Canada Cup racing in the village

The colourful and quaint village at the base of Mont-Tremblant is a lovely spot to spend a weekend. One of the coolest parts of the festival is when the XCO Canada Cup races come ripping through the village. With a good selection of restaurants and plenty of patios to have a coffee or beer on, the village has great spots to watch the racing or just relax after your ride. There’s also a downhill competition on the slopes of the ski hill where Canada’s best rip down a spectator-friendly course. And, there’s also the dirt jump show. It all adds to an amazing atmosphere in the Tremblant village.

The new gravel fondo

By riding unpaved roads, you can expand the region’s already stellar ride offerings. New at Crossroads for 2019 is the gravel fondo on Sunday. The Tremblant area has some scenic unpaved roads that will be stitched together for what will surely be a worthwhile outing to finish off the weekend. The new event allows participants to test their riding skills on new surfaces. The gravel fondo can serve as a competitive race or simply a fun challenge. Best of all, waiting at the finish will be some tasty food and local beer. Pair the gravel ride the gran fondo for a big weekend of riding.

The mountain bike trails

Mont-Tremblant is in the process of developing a network of mountain bike trails suitable for riders of all levels. The trails start right near the village, offering technical challenges, fun flow and easier pedal sections that will only continue to improve as the network grows. On a ride, you’ll catch glimpses of the river through the trees, enjoy the shade in the beautiful forest and climb to the top of hills with lovely views. The trails are definitely worth checking out during your visit.