July 15, 2026 · Common Empire
Gravel season is here
The gravel is dry, the days are long, and the calendar is filling up fast. Gravel is where Common Empire feels most at home: quiet backroads, big skies, and the kind of adventure that turns strangers into ride buddies by the first regroup. Here's how to make the most of the season — and three routes to point your tyres at.
Why we love it out here
The Ottawa Valley and Lanark County are a gravel playground — hundreds of kilometres of hard-packed backroads linking farms, forests, rivers, and small-town cafés. It's remote enough to feel like a real adventure and close enough to be home for dinner.
Get your kit dialed
A little prep goes a long way on gravel:
- Tyres: Run tubeless if you can, with a couple of spare tubes as backup. Lower pressure than the road — it's your suspension.
- Repair: Mini pump, tyre plugs, a quick link, and a multitool. Know how to use them before you need them.
- Fuel & water: Bring more than you think — services are sparse out there. Two bottles minimum on anything over 60 km.
- Fit: Long days reward a good position. Our bike fitters and local shops can dial you in.
New to riding in a bunch on loose surfaces? How We Ride covers spacing, calling hazards, and holding your line when the road turns to dust.
Three gravel routes to chase
From a smooth first taste to a full bucket-list day — each with an interactive map, elevation, and a GPX download.
Perth Perfection
66.0 km · 356 m climbing · gravel
Smooth, rolling, and welcoming — the ideal introduction to gravel. Quiet roads, easy gradients, and Perth's cafés never far away.
View the map & details → · Download GPX →
Back Forty MEDIO
71.5 km · 1,251 m climbing · gravel
Punchy and rewarding. A proper medio with steady climbing and fast, flowing descents — a great step up once you've found your gravel legs.
View the map & details → · Download GPX →
7 Wonders of Lanark County
213.5 km · 2,288 m climbing · gravel
The bucket-lister. A big, beautiful loop stitching together the best backroads in the county. Bring your climbing legs, plenty of food, and a real sense of adventure.
View the map & details → · Download GPX →
Ride for a cause
The Candy Burner is back — a post-Halloween gravel ride with real community fundraising (and yes, pancakes are involved). Back the campaign →
See you on the backroads.