Gravel Riding in Ontario: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started

Gravel riding opens up a completely different side of cycling. Instead of planning every ride around paved roads, you can turn onto quiet country roads, rail trails, crushed limestone paths and maintained gravel roads and see where they take you.

For riders who are new to gravel, the good news is that you don’t need an expensive, highly specialized bike to get started. A capable gravel bike can take you from pavement to gravel and back again, making it possible to explore routes that might not be practical on a traditional road bike.

The Marin Gestalt is a great example of this approach. Available from Pedalinx at $959.20, reduced from $1,199, the Gestalt provides an accessible entry point into gravel riding while retaining the characteristics that make a drop-bar bike useful on paved roads and for everyday riding.

Even better, a gravel bike doesn’t have to become a bike that sits in the garage waiting for your next gravel adventure. With mounts for fenders and a rack, the Gestalt can also be set up as a practical commuter, giving one bicycle several different jobs.

What Is Gravel Riding?

Gravel riding sits somewhere between traditional road cycling and off-road riding.

A gravel route might include:

• Paved roads
• Hard-packed gravel roads
• Crushed limestone
• Rail trails
• Farm and concession roads
• Unpaved rural roads
• Short sections of rougher trail

Unlike mountain biking, gravel riding generally doesn’t require suspension or highly technical equipment. The goal is often to travel farther and explore quieter roads and trails rather than tackle technical obstacles.

Gravel riding also doesn’t have to mean riding hundreds of kilometres into the wilderness. Some of the best introductions to gravel can be relatively short rides close to home.

Around the GTA, route collections include rides that combine paved sections with compacted dirt and crushed gravel, making it possible to gradually become comfortable with riding on different surfaces.

Why Try Gravel Riding?

One of the biggest attractions of gravel riding is simply having more places to go.

A road cyclist may look at an unpaved road and turn around because their tires and bike aren’t suited to the surface. A gravel bike gives you another option: keep going.

That can change the way you plan a ride.

Instead of asking, "How do I get from point A to point B using paved roads?" you can start asking, "Where does that road go?"

Gravel riding can also provide a quieter alternative to busy roads. Rural gravel roads and multi-use trails can take you through farmland, forests, conservation areas and small communities without requiring you to stay on major paved routes.

For experienced road riders, gravel can also be a useful change of pace. The riding is often less about maintaining a perfectly smooth line and more about choosing your line, managing traction and adapting to changing surfaces.

The Marin Gestalt: An Accessible Way to Get Started

The Marin Gestalt is built around the idea of going beyond traditional road riding.

The current Pedalinx model uses an aluminium frame with 700c wheels, 700×35 tires, a Shimano Claris 2×8 drivetrain, mechanical disc brakes and a flared drop handlebar. The frame and fork include mounts for practical accessories including fenders and a rear rack.

For someone getting into gravel, those specifications are important because they provide a straightforward combination of road efficiency, gearing and additional tire volume without pushing the price into the higher end of the gravel-bike market.

What Do the Gestalt’s Features Mean When You Are Actually Riding?

700×35 tires

The Gestalt’s 35 mm tires provide more volume and traction than the narrow tires commonly found on performance-oriented road bikes. That makes them better suited to compact gravel, crushed stone and uneven surfaces while remaining practical for paved riding.

2×8 Shimano Claris drivetrain

The 50/34 crankset and 11-34 cassette provide a useful range of gears for mixed terrain. Lower gears are particularly useful when a gravel road turns upward or a route becomes more demanding.

Mechanical disc brakes

Disc brakes provide consistent braking performance and are well suited to a bike that may encounter wet roads, gravel and changing weather. Mechanical systems are also relatively straightforward to service.

Flared drop handlebars

The flared handlebar provides multiple hand positions while adding width at the drops. That can be useful when riding on rougher surfaces where additional control is helpful.

Rack and fender mounts

This is one of the Gestalt’s most practical features for riders who want one bike to do more than one job. The frame includes mounts for a rack and fenders, allowing you to configure the bike for commuting, carrying equipment or riding in wetter conditions.

A Gravel Bike Can Also Be an Excellent Commuter

One of the advantages of a gravel bike is that it doesn’t have to be reserved for weekend adventures.

Many gravel and all-road bikes include additional mounting points, often called bosses, that allow accessories such as full-length fenders and rear racks to be installed.

That can make a gravel bike particularly useful for someone who wants one bicycle for several purposes.

During the week, it can be used for:

• Commuting to work
• Riding to school or appointments
• Running errands
• Carrying panniers or other cargo
• Riding paved bike paths
• General fitness riding

On the weekend, the same bike can head onto gravel roads and rail trails.

The Marin Gestalt is particularly well suited to this kind of multi-purpose use because its frame includes rack and fender mounts.

A rack can allow you to carry clothing, groceries or work equipment in panniers rather than on your back. Fenders can keep water and road spray from covering you and your bike during wet-weather commuting.

That versatility is worth considering when comparing the cost of a gravel bike with buying a separate bike for every type of riding.

Is a Gravel Bike Right for You?

A gravel bike makes sense if you want the flexibility to ride a mixture of surfaces.

It may be particularly suitable if you:

• Already ride a road bike but want to explore unpaved roads.
• Are looking for a first drop-bar bike.
• Want to combine road riding with gravel trails.
• Want to explore rural roads outside the city.
• Want a bike that can also serve as a commuter.
• Prefer longer recreational rides over technical mountain biking.
• Want to ride rail trails and maintained multi-use trails.

A gravel bike isn’t necessarily the right tool for every off-road trail.

Very rough trails, deep sand, muddy terrain, rocky singletrack and technical mountain-bike trails can require a different type of bicycle. The Gestalt’s 35 mm tires and road-oriented configuration are best considered in the context of maintained gravel roads, mixed-surface riding and smoother trails rather than technical mountain biking.

How to Ride Gravel for the First Time

If you are accustomed to riding only pavement, gravel can initially feel different. The surface moves underneath the tires, braking distances can change and loose gravel can affect steering.

The good news is that you don’t need complicated techniques to get started. The most important skills are learning to stay relaxed, look ahead and allow your bike and body to adapt to the surface.

Relax Your Grip

Don’t fight the bike.

Keep your hands relaxed while maintaining enough grip to stay in control. Avoid locking your arms or gripping the handlebars tightly.

Keeping your elbows and knees slightly bent allows your body to absorb bumps and lets the bike move naturally underneath you.

Move Your Weight as the Terrain Changes

Your body position should change with the terrain rather than staying fixed.

On ordinary compact gravel, a balanced position over the bike generally works well. When you encounter deeper or particularly loose gravel, especially while descending, moving your hips and weight slightly toward the rear can reduce the load on the front wheel.

This can help prevent the front tire from digging into loose gravel and gives the bike more freedom to roll through the surface.

Don’t completely unload the front wheel. The front tire still needs enough weight to maintain steering control. Think of your body position as something you continually adjust as the surface changes rather than simply leaning back whenever you see gravel.

Look Ahead and Choose Your Line

One of the biggest differences between road and gravel riding is learning to read the surface.

Instead of staring directly at the stones immediately in front of your wheel, look farther ahead and identify the smoothest practical line.

Watch for:

• Deep loose gravel
• Potholes
• Ruts
• Washboard surfaces
• Mud
• Standing water
• Changes in road surface

If there is a section of particularly deep gravel, you may be able to choose a firmer line around it.

Avoid making sudden steering movements to do so. Smooth, deliberate changes in direction are easier to control than abrupt corrections.

Let the Bike Move Underneath You

A gravel bike may wander slightly when riding through loose material. This can feel strange at first, particularly if you are used to the precise steering feel of a road bike on smooth pavement.

Small movements are normal.

Rather than immediately trying to correct every movement with the handlebars, stay relaxed and allow the bike to find its path.

Keep looking ahead and make small, deliberate steering corrections.

The objective isn’t to keep the front wheel perfectly straight. It is to maintain control while allowing the tires to respond naturally to the surface.

Slow Down Before Loose Sections

If you can see a particularly loose section ahead, reduce your speed before entering it.

Avoid entering deep gravel at high speed and then making a sudden braking or steering input.

Establish a controlled speed first, then allow the bike to roll through the loose surface.

Brake Smoothly

Loose gravel provides less predictable traction than pavement, so braking requires a little more care.

Use both brakes progressively rather than grabbing a brake lever suddenly. Whenever possible, do most of your braking before a particularly loose corner or rough section and then maintain a controlled speed through it.

On descents, shifting your body rearward can also help maintain traction and reduce the likelihood of the front wheel becoming overloaded.

Avoid relying on the front brake alone on a loose surface. Smooth, progressive braking gives you more opportunity to maintain traction and control.

Corner More Conservatively

Loose gravel provides less predictable traction than pavement.

Approach corners at a manageable speed and make your major braking adjustments before the corner. Once you’re turning, keep your steering movements smooth and avoid abruptly leaning or changing direction.

Look through the corner toward the line you want to follow rather than focusing on the loose gravel immediately beside your front wheel.

Use Your Legs as Suspension

You don’t need suspension to ride gravel, but you can use your body to absorb the movement.

Keep your elbows and knees slightly bent. On rougher sections, you can allow your weight to come slightly off the saddle while letting the bike move underneath you.

Your arms and legs can absorb smaller impacts while helping maintain control.

On particularly rough descents, moving into the drops can lower your centre of gravity and give you additional braking and control leverage.

The Most Important Lesson: Stay Relaxed

For a new gravel rider, the first instinct can be to tense up when the bike starts moving around.

Try to do the opposite.

Relax your upper body, look ahead, maintain a controlled speed and let the bike respond to the terrain.

As you gain experience, you’ll naturally begin making small adjustments to your weight distribution, steering and braking without having to think about each one individually.

The more gravel you ride, the more comfortable these movements will become.

Where Can You Learn to Ride Gravel Around the GTA?

You don’t need to drive several hours to try gravel riding.

There are gravel and mixed-surface opportunities throughout the GTA and surrounding countryside.

Markham and York Region

The Toronto and Markham area has several mapped gravel and mixed-surface rides, including routes around Milne Dam and Toogood Pond.

The Milne Dam – Toogood Pond loop from Centennial is approximately 20.9 km and is classified by Komoot as an easy gravel ride. The route is mostly paved but includes gravel sections, making it an example of the kind of mixed-surface riding that can be useful when learning how a gravel bike handles different surfaces.

Another option is the gravel loop from Mount Joy, listed at approximately 25 km.

These types of routes can be useful for a first gravel ride because you can experience different surfaces without immediately committing to a long remote ride.

Halton and the Western GTA

Ontario By Bike’s Greenbelt Route provides established cycling loops in and around the GTA and surrounding countryside.

The Halton Loop – Leathertown Spin covers 38 km, while the Peel Loop – Credit River Ride covers 30 km. The wider Greenbelt network also includes routes through Hamilton, York, Durham, Niagara and Northumberland.

These routes provide an opportunity to start exploring beyond the urban cycling network and into the countryside surrounding the GTA.

Hamilton and the Niagara Escarpment

The Hamilton area offers another natural transition into mixed-surface riding, with roads and trails taking riders through the countryside around the Niagara Escarpment.

The Ontario By Bike Greenbelt network includes the Hamilton Loop – Escarpment Expedition, a 23 km route.

Before setting out, check the current route information and surface conditions. A route can change considerably after construction, heavy rain or seasonal maintenance.

Toronto’s Ravines and Multi-Use Trails

Even within Toronto, riders can find surfaces that feel very different from ordinary road riding.

The Don River Valley includes paved and dirt paths through a large natural corridor, with cycling routes passing through forested ravines and alongside the river.

These urban routes aren’t necessarily traditional gravel-road riding, but they can help road cyclists become comfortable with changing surfaces before heading farther from home.

Ready to Travel? Explore Ontario’s Gravel Country

Once you become comfortable riding gravel, Ontario opens up dramatically.

Some of the province’s best gravel riding is found beyond the GTA, where quiet rural roads, rail trails, forests and Canadian Shield landscapes create much longer opportunities for exploration.

Haliburton Highlands

The Haliburton Highlands are a destination for riders looking for more adventurous gravel.

Ontario By Bike reports a collection of 20 gravel routes covering more than 700 km, ranging from relatively accessible rides to more remote gravel adventures.

The region includes everything from smoother gravel roads to rougher service roads and remote paths.

For a first trip to the region, Ontario By Bike highlights the Bakery to Bakery route as a relatively level, family-friendly option, while the Blairhampton Ramble offers a longer mixture of gravel, pavement and adventure riding.

Hastings County

Hastings County is another destination for riders who want to progress beyond GTA gravel.

The region has a collection of primarily on-road gravel routes ranging from shorter rides to much longer adventures, with routes through forests, farmland and rural communities.

Some routes are suitable for newer gravel riders, while others become considerably more demanding.

The region is a good example of how gravel riding can develop from a local mixed-surface ride into longer rural adventures.

Kawartha Lakes and the Victoria Rail Trail

The Kawartha Lakes area provides another opportunity to combine gravel with rural riding.

The region includes routes incorporating the Victoria Rail Trail and rural roads around Kawartha Lakes.

Surface conditions on rail trails can vary, so check current conditions before choosing your route and tire setup.

Frontenac and the K&P Trail

For a longer adventure, the K&P Trail in North Frontenac offers approximately 75 km of gravel riding along a former rail line.

The trail travels through Canadian Shield scenery between Kingston and Sharbot Lake.

This type of ride demonstrates how gravel riding can evolve from a short local outing into a full-day adventure.

How to Find Your Next Gravel Route

A gravel bike gives you more route choices, but it also means you need to pay more attention to the route description.

A useful route-finding service should tell you more than just the distance.

Look for:

• Surface type
• Distance
• Elevation gain
• Percentage of gravel or unpaved surface
• Trail conditions
• Road traffic
• Water and food stops
• Navigation options
• Current rider reports

Komoot is one useful starting point for discovering gravel routes around the GTA and provides route descriptions, distances, elevation and surface information.

Ride with GPS is also widely used for mapped cycling routes, including regional collections promoted by Ontario By Bike.

Ontario By Bike is particularly useful when planning rides outside the GTA because its regional guides combine routes with information about communities, services and cycling-friendly businesses.

Before riding an unfamiliar route, check the most recent information. A gravel road that was smooth last summer may be loose, muddy or damaged after a spring thaw or heavy rainfall.

What Should You Take on a Gravel Ride?

You don’t need a huge amount of equipment to get started, but gravel riding can take you farther from convenient services.

For a basic ride, consider carrying:

• Water
• A spare tube or tubeless repair supplies
• Tire levers
• A pump or CO2 inflator
• A multi-tool
• Identification and a phone
• Basic food or snacks
• A light layer appropriate for the weather

For longer or more remote rides, add enough food and water for the route and consider a portable battery for navigation and emergency communication.

If you are commuting, a rack and panniers can make the bike considerably more practical. If you ride in wet weather, full-length fenders can make a substantial difference to comfort.

How Should You Choose Your First Gravel Route?

Don’t make your first gravel ride an epic adventure.

Start with a route that is shorter than your normal road ride and stays reasonably close to roads, services and an easy way back to your starting point.

A good progression might look like this:

First ride: 15-25 km with some gravel and plenty of paved riding.

Next step: 25-50 km with a larger percentage of gravel.

Developing confidence: Longer rural routes with more elevation and fewer services.

Gravel adventure: Full-day or multi-day routes farther from home.

This approach gives you an opportunity to learn how your bike, tires and riding technique behave before committing to a remote route.

Why the Marin Gestalt Makes Sense as a First Gravel Bike

The appeal of the Marin Gestalt is its versatility.

At its current Pedalinx sale price of $959.20, it provides an accessible way into drop-bar gravel riding without requiring a rider to jump immediately into a high-end gravel setup.

Its 35 mm tires, 2×8 drivetrain, disc brakes and flared handlebar provide the basic ingredients for mixed-surface riding, while its rack and fender mounts give the bike a practical role beyond recreational gravel.

That makes it worth considering for someone who wants to:

• Commute during the week
• Ride paved roads
• Explore gravel roads on weekends
• Ride rail trails and maintained multi-use trails
• Take longer recreational rides
• Eventually explore farther into Ontario

It isn’t necessary to know exactly what kind of gravel rider you will become before buying your first gravel bike. Start with the riding you are most likely to do now and choose equipment that leaves room to explore.

Gravel Riding Is About Where the Road Stops

One of the most enjoyable things about gravel riding is that the ride doesn’t have to end when the pavement does.

A gravel bike gives you the opportunity to explore roads and trails that you might otherwise pass by. Around Toronto and Mississauga, that can mean discovering rural roads and mixed-surface routes in the surrounding countryside. Further afield, Ontario offers an enormous network of gravel roads, rail trails and backroads to explore.

The Marin Gestalt provides a practical starting point for that exploration. It is approachable for a rider who is new to gravel, useful for an experienced road cyclist looking for a new type of riding, and versatile enough to serve as a commuter when fitted with the right accessories.

If you’re curious about gravel riding, start small. Find a route, check the surface, bring the basic repair equipment and see where the road takes you.

Ready to Try Gravel?

The Marin Gestalt is currently available from Pedalinx for $959.20, regularly $1,199, subject to current inventory and size availability.

Visit Pedalinx in Toronto or Mississauga to discuss sizing, accessories and how you plan to ride. Pedalinx also provides bicycle repair and maintenance for riders throughout the GTA.

Shop the Marin Gestalt

Explore Pedalinx Gravel Bikes

Find a Pedalinx Location

More Cycling Resources from Pedalinx

Ready to get more from your bike? Explore these Pedalinx resources for choosing, riding and maintaining your bicycle:

• How to Choose a Bike Size: A Canadian Cyclist’s Guide – Learn how frame size, reach, riding position and bike fit affect comfort and control.
• Bike Service & Repair – Keep your gravel or commuter bike running properly with professional bicycle service and repair from Pedalinx.
• Pedalinx Bike Shop Locations – Visit our Toronto or Mississauga locations for help with bike selection, fit, accessories and service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a gravel bike good for beginners?

Yes. A gravel bike can be a good starting point for riders who want to combine paved roads with gravel roads and maintained trails. The important consideration is choosing a bike that matches the type of surfaces you expect to ride.

Can I use a gravel bike for commuting?

Yes. Many gravel bikes include mounting points for racks and fenders. The Marin Gestalt has rack and fender mounts, allowing it to be configured for commuting and carrying cargo as well as recreational riding.

Can I ride a gravel bike on pavement?

Absolutely. Gravel bikes are designed for mixed-surface riding, so pavement is part of their intended use. The Gestalt’s 700×35 tires and road-oriented drivetrain make it suitable for combining paved and unpaved sections.

Is 35 mm enough for gravel riding?

Tire requirements depend on the surface. A 35 mm tire can be well suited to maintained gravel roads, crushed limestone and smoother mixed-surface routes. Rougher, looser or more technical terrain may call for greater tire volume and a different bike setup.

Where can I ride gravel near Toronto?

There are gravel and mixed-surface routes throughout the GTA and surrounding countryside. Route collections around Markham include the Milne Dam and Toogood Pond area, while Ontario By Bike’s Greenbelt routes include loops through Halton, Peel, Hamilton, York, Durham, Niagara and Northumberland.

Where can I find longer gravel rides in Ontario?

Haliburton Highlands, Hastings County, Kawartha Lakes and Frontenac County all offer established gravel routes. Haliburton alone has a collection of 20 gravel routes covering more than 700 km.

What should I bring on my first gravel ride?

At minimum, carry water, a spare tube or tubeless repair supplies, tire levers, a pump, a multi-tool, your phone and some food. For longer or more remote rides, carry additional water, food and navigation backup.

Does gravel riding require special cycling skills?

Not necessarily. The fundamentals are the same as road cycling, but loose surfaces require you to be more aware of traction, braking and your chosen line.

Learning to relax your grip, keep your eyes ahead, adjust your weight distribution and use smooth braking will make riding loose gravel considerably easier.

Do I need an expensive gravel bike to get started?

No. Your first gravel bike needs to match the riding you actually intend to do. For riders starting with maintained gravel roads, rail trails and mixed pavement routes, a bike such as the Marin Gestalt provides an accessible entry point without requiring a high-end gravel racing setup.