Spring Refresh: How Hastings County Gravel Routes Cure the Winter Blues

This post originally appeared on ontariobybike.ca

There's a moment each spring when we realize we've been holding our breath all winter. The first truly warm day arrives, and suddenly the weight of thermal layers, indoor training sessions, and slate-grey skies lifts, replaced by an undeniable urge to feel gravel beneath our tires again - even mud can't get us down! While some cyclists chase this feeling south, springtime in Ontario—particularly Hastings County—offers a perfect antidote to winter's hibernation.

Nestled between the Canadian Shield to the north and picturesque farmland to the south, Hastings County offers a diverse landscape of rolling hills, river valleys, and hardwood forests that create ideal terrain for gravel adventures. There's something inherently therapeutic about those first spring rides—the sound of a brook rushing as the ice melts, the scent of warming earth, and the satisfying crunch of gravel that reminds you that the cycling season has begun again.

The 2025 Melrose Gravel Tour: Rough Routes Edition

For cyclists seeking an authentic early-season challenge, the Melrose Gravel Tour returns on May 25, 2025 for its third year. This event showcases the landscape that makes Hastings County a gravel rider's paradise with challenging 50 and 80-kilometre routes that make the most of the area's winding, hilly, unpaved roads and rugged ATV trails.

The event provides well-marked routes through some of Hastings County's most scenic terrain, offering a perfect opportunity to test your early-season fitness while exploring new roads with fellow gravel enthusiasts.

Registration details and event updates are available here.

Three Routes to Reset Your Cycling Soul

Whether you're training for the Melrose event later this spring or simply plotting your long-weekend escapes, these routes deliver distinctly different experiences while sharing one common thread: each offers the post-winter reset that makes spring gravel riding so essential.

1. Lollygagging in Lonsdale (Tyendinaga Township)

Distance: 26km
Type: Rambler
Elevation: 154m
Best Ridden: Accessible year-round, but time your ride for mid-May to early June for a lilac explosion.

We look forward to lilac season all year, and it never disappoints. This route is planned as a casual, beginner-friendly loop that fits in around your other weekend plans (you'll need time for antiquing and picnicking, of course.) The roads surrounding historic Lonsdale Mills become corridors of purple and white, their fragrance providing aromatherapy with each pedal stroke. The perfect early-season warm-up route, this short and sweet loop features rolling hills rather than leg-crushing climbs, making it ideal for those first spring rides when winter fitness hasn't fully translated to outdoor stamina, or even the dog days of summer when a long ride under the beating sun isn't as appealing.

Recovery Stop: Pack your picnic and your paddle board! This route starts and ends at Kingsford Conservation Area, where you can sit along the Salmon River and refuel, or wade in from the shoreline.

2. Riverside Rouleur (Madoc & Queensborough)

Distance: 62km
Type: Adventurer
Elevation: 521m
Best Ridden: Late April through June. You'll want to come back in the fall!

This route delivers an immersive backroad experience with 85% unpaved surfaces. We suggest 35 millimetre or larger tires for an optimal experience. You'll tackle the significant climb early in the route—a perfect way to warm up and find your rhythm—but don't get too comfortable! The constantly changing terrain keeps you engaged as the route hopscotches back and forth across the Black River before skirting the edges of picturesque Moira Lake. The final leg picks up the Trail of Two Lakes, creating a natural pathway back into Madoc. Passing through historic Queensborough, you'll be treated to spectacular lilac displays if you time your ride for mid-May. The proximity to O'Hara Mill and Camp Quin Mo Lac connects riders to the region's history and outdoor traditions.

Recovery Stop: Complete your adventure with a well-earned reward at the Hidden Goldmine Bakery in Madoc, where the butter tarts have achieved legendary status among cyclists throughout the region.

3. Lay of the Land (Stirling-Rawdon)

Distance: 66km (Full) / 50km (Light)
Type: Rambler
Elevation: 540m (Full) / 356 (Light)
Best Ridden: A great spring conditioning loop, accessible in any season

This route offers two excellent options depending on your fitness level and time constraints, both delivering a blend of surfaces with approximately 40% unpaved terrain. The Lay of the Land starts and ends at historic Station Park in Stirling, which connects the village to the Trans Canada Trail. The full version (66km) rewards more ambitious riders with a scenic section along the Trent River and a loop around Oak Lake, while the light version (50km) offers a more condensed but equally beautiful experience. Both routes pass Kings Mill Conservation Area, offering a perfect mid-ride break to stretch your legs and soak in the natural surroundings. The varied terrain provides natural intervals, with enough rolling hills to challenge your legs without venturing into gruelling territory—perfect for building early season fitness in Ontario's beautiful countryside.

Recovery Stop: Your timing couldn't be better—finish your ride and head directly to Longtooth Beverage Co. for well-earned refreshments. Even riders completing the longer loop can easily access the brewery with a quick jaunt back down the rail trail, making this the perfect route for combining exercise with relaxation.

Preparing Body and Bike for Spring Revival

Spring riding in Hastings County requires some consideration beyond regular season preparation. Here's what local riders recommend:

Equipment Prep:

Tire Selection: Early spring often means encountering occasional soft sections where winter lingers. A slightly higher volume tire (40-45mm) run at lower pressure provides confidence without sacrificing speed.
Mechanical Readiness: Local bike shops report the highest volume of emergency repairs during early-season rides. Schedule a thorough spring tune-up before heading out, with particular attention to drivetrains that may have suffered through winter salt and grime.

Rider Prep:

Layer Strategically: Spring temperature swings can be dramatic. Start with a quality merino base layer that retains warmth even when damp, plus packable wind and rain shells. Don't forget UV protection!
Mental Approach: Resist the urge to match mid-season performance. Spring rides are about reconnection, not personal bests. Give yourself permission to stop for photos, explore side roads, or simply pause to listen to the returning birds.

A Different Kind of Awakening

While other regions promote manicured trails and predictable routes, Hastings County offers something increasingly rare: authentic adventure within manageable parameters. The spring revival found on these gravel roads isn't manufactured or overly curated. It's the restorative power of rural landscapes opening themselves to those willing to venture beyond the pavement.

As cyclists, we understand what science confirms: rhythmic aerobic exercise in natural settings is one of the most powerful interventions for mental well-being. The spring gravel routes of Hastings County deliver this in spades—challenging the body enough to quiet the mind, exposing you to nature's cycles and connecting you to both yourself and the cycling community.

Your post-winter recovery awaits. The only question is which route you'll choose first.

Want to Ride?

You can find more Hastings County gravel route inspiration on Ride With GPS, where local riders share their favourite routes with turn-by-turn navigation and points of interest. Join our Ride With GPS Club to get notified when new routes are added to the collection.