• Trails: You’ll be amazed by the volume of singletrack, doubletrack and rail trail riding on the route while never venturing too far from a hot meal and cold beer. Railing along some sections of sweet trail will put you up close and personal with the mighty Grand River.
• Grand and Nith Rivers: Picture-worthy River views seemingly await you at ever bend in the trail.
• Dundas Conservations Area: Ride deep into the thickly forested, waterfall-laden Dundas Conservation Area. It’s so vast some riders have yet to come out. Hands down one of the prettiest sections of the route.
• Lafarge Trail: Score bragging rights by conquering the notorious Lafarge trail.
• Bridges: A chance to ride along a handful of historic steel truss bridges spanning the Nith River – several of which are closed to vehicular traffic.
• Breweries: Avail yourself of one (or many!) of the local breweries that dot the route. A well-deserved pint is never far away.
• Birds: From kingfishers to indigo buntings, there is no shortage of birdlife along the waterways. Can you spot the GNR heron?

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The Grand Nith Ramble can be tackled using either a drop-bar gravel bike or a rigid mountain bike, with the latter providing the most comfort on the rougher trail sections and if encountering the dreaded ‘fresh gravel’.

• Mountain Bike: For mountain bikes, anything over 2.5-inch tires will be overkill and full-suspension is not required. A mountain/gravel hybrid like a Salsa Cutthroat/Fargo would also be a great choice for this route.
• Gravel Bike: If using a gravel/cross bike with 700 wheels, you’ll find the route easier to navigate with fatter tires, say a width of 40 or larger. You should also have some experience riding trails with this type of bike, or you may find yourself walking more than you like.
• Other Bikes: There have been riders who have also completed large portions of the route on big plus size tire set-ups, but in many cases this is overkill.
• Setup: Run tubeless if possible. You can use bikepacking style bags or old-fashioned panniers. A lighter set-up allows of easier riding, especially in the hillier sections.

Accommodation options on the GNR range from established campgrounds to hotels to Airbnb. Most options are indicated on the RWGPS link. I have noted several “wild” camping options along the route file that could be used for discreet camping.  However, I can’t guarantee these and all riders are responsible for safely securing their own overnight resting spots – and absolutely leaving no trace.

• Fresh water: Southern Ontario does not have nearly as many lakes and rivers as further north, so there will definitely be stretches of trail where it may be hard to re-fill. Luckily, the route regularly passes by the rivers Grand and Nith, so there are definite opportunities to top up your bottles. Be sure to always use a water filter or purification tablets. It’s also best policy to make sure you use flowing water, as it is less likely to grown bacteria that will make you sick. You can also access fresh water at campsites, police stations, fire stations and most cemeteries.
• Food: There is no shortage of places to stock up on food or to fill your belly. This route passes through or near many cities and town, allowing for easy access to resources.