Location: Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario
Estimated Gravel Time: 70%
Full Route Map:
Distance: 70.8km (44 miles)
Alternate Route (43.6km): The Almonte Petit Roubaix serves as an ideal introduction to the gravel scene for anyone who is new to the sport, or can also serve as the perfect post-work training ride.
Suggested Tire Width: 32-35mm or greater
Amenities: The town of Almonte has every amenity a rider could want. Convenience stores, coffee shops, grocery stores, pubs and a brewery. The village of Clayton also has a general store on-route, less than 20km from the end of the loop (riding clockwise).
Parking: Metcalfe Geoheritage Park, Almonte
Route Description
This route replicates the Almonte Paris-Roubaix, developed by the Ottawa Bicycle Club and one of the Ottawa Valley's springtime racing classics.
Starting from the parking lot across the street from the Metcalfe Geoheritage Park, ride clockwise through the town Almonte on Perth St., eventually transitioning to gravel on Old Perth Road, a classic section of treelined dirt.
Upon hitting Tatlock Rd,, riders have the option to continue on Old Perth Rd, or veering left on Tatlock for a few meters before turning right onto a small section of unmaintained, before turning right onto Concession Rd 1, likely the hilliest section of the route). Riders then turn left onto Miller Rd, which eventually traverses some exposed farmland, before turning left onto Concession Rd 10B, which includes a series of punchy ups and downs.
Riders then descent on some pavement before turning right back onto gravel via Concession Rd 7A. Continue north and east on a series of gravel and paved roads, before making a right onto Tatlock Road, the route's longest section of pavement before arriving in the village of Clayton (and the Clayton General Store).
From here, continue east on a lovely section of twisty gravel (Bellamy Mills Rd), before turning right onto flat farmland gravel all the way back to the start in Almonte.
Did this route again today. This route will keep you coming back again and again in spring and then again in fall. As noted, it's a slight variation of the classic Almonte Paris-Roubaix which I have been doing for years and included a handful of unmaintained road sections which aren't on this route but could be easily added if you wanted a little extra double track. Some of these unmaintained road sections are in the Almonte-Clayton loop. You could extend this route by detouring down Rosetta Road to Lanark for Lunch. There are no services in Middleville, but The Clayton General Store is a great stopping place for drinks and snacks and seems to be experiencing a bit of a…