Listen to the Pod!
Bikepack Adventures
This route links together several of RideGravel.ca‘s favourite dirt loops including Before the Devil Knows You’re Dirty; the Frontenac Flyer; What About Bob’s Lake?; the Frontenac Folly; the Central Frontenac Circuit; and the Filthy Frontenac, combining some of the best Frontenac County gravel into one epic loop. While it is certainly possible to complete this route over the course of a single day, it is best enjoyed as a two day dirt tour.
Adrian Grant of www.ridegravel.ca
The Full Frontenac can be tackled using either a drop-bar gravel bike or a mountain bike. The gravel is relatively smooth and can easily be ridden with 40C or greater tires.
The majority of the route is easy riding on smooth gravel. There are lots of rolling hills that slowly take their toll on you, but otherwise, the route is peppered with beautiful vistas, especially when going through some of the valleys and passing along the pristine lakes. Depending on the temperature, some of these lakes are the perfect place to take a dip.
This route is predominantly in the Frontenac Highlands and is quite remote and off the beaten path.
Although the route itself is not that technically difficult, those completing the full route will find it provides just the right amount of physical challenge. While riding North of Hwy 7, the more technical riding will require greater strength on your part. Pair that with the minimal opportunities to resupply and you will find you are carrying quite a bit of weight in food and water. When south of Hwy 7, it’s easier going, but will still challenge your legs to keep going, particularly if you begin to run low on food and/or water.
The portion north of Highway 7 is the most difficult, with greater elevation gains and more technical dirt roads and doubletrack. Meanwhile, the section south of Highway 7 follows mostly well-maintained dirt and foregoes steep climbs in favour of flowing gravel roads.
