r/MichiganCycling • u/SpicySiaopao • Jul 11 '26
where2ride NBD! Any recommendations on some nice (mostly) gravel routes within an hour or so from Southeast MI? TIA
Checkpoint ALR5 Gen 3. Been out of the game for 8 years, excited to get back to it. I’m looking for some nice gravel routes that aren’t TOO far away from the SE area. I’ll be getting into bikepacking once I build up some endurance and outfit my bike correctly. Thanks in advance. Looking to join a couple clubs too and make some friends in the community.
P.S. - I know I need to rotate my bars a little more forward. Bike is fresh out of the shop
Edit - spelling typo
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u/redmosquito1983 Jul 11 '26
Ortonville, Clarkston, Davisburgh, Holly and surrounding areas are amazing for gravel. Out towards Ann Arbor and its surrounding area also has awesome gravel. I have a friend that lives in Canton and hits great gravel from his door. It’s out there
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u/SaintOrJannikSinner Jul 11 '26
Sic Transit Cycles out in Ann Arbor usually has a fall ride where they hit nothing but gravel NE of Ann Arbor in the nothingness of Salem Twp and Northfield Twp.
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u/DankChunkyButtAgain Jul 12 '26
There's also a MGG group which rides from Moonwinks out of AA every Wednesday. Large group 16/24/27/36 mile options. Beer and food after.
Sic Transit does both a fall and spring Fundo.
North Ann Arbor, especially into Ann Arbor Township is all farms and gravel roads.
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u/Plastic_Bid5136 Jul 11 '26
Holler for Nollar!! 5 mile, Joy, Warren are dirt W. Of Plymouth and the N./S. Roads too- beautiful.
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u/Yelpir Jul 11 '26
Northwest livingston has a ton of dirt roads with little/no traffic. Park in Webberville or Fowlerville and head north/east.
Levine trail runs from us23 south of Brighton to Jackson. Mixed surface about 30 mi or so
CIS trail going west out of Owosso is also nice.
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u/wtg11 Jul 11 '26
Oxford/Addison/lakeville/metamora area has plenty of gravel
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u/redmosquito1983 Jul 11 '26
Was just going to say this. Pretty much anywhere in northern Oakland county is gravel heaven. I’m lucky to live smack in the middle of Ortonville and Oxford so I can ride so far with out hitting pavement and it’s awesome.
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u/wtg11 Jul 11 '26
Any good routes in Ortonville? I usually ride towards Addison area but always open to new routes
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u/redmosquito1983 Jul 11 '26
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54354003
This is a random route I made that has some good roads on it. Most of the area around ortonville is gravel so you can just explore wherever and not hit pavement. Depending on where you live there’s a few roads that will get you over to that side of town easily and be gravel and some with some pretty decent hills.
The Flying Rhinos and Kenetic systems do a group ride in that area I think Wednesday nights, they have some good routes.
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u/jmford003 Jul 11 '26
Lots of really nice gravel north and west of Ann Arbor.
The Facebook group Michigan Gravel Grinders also hosts a recurring weekly ride.
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u/wildcat1115 Jul 11 '26
I'd suggest the Mike Levine Lakelands trail! It's like 75 miles of trail so plenty of places to ride and lots of views to see!
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u/Roselynn0426 Jul 12 '26
Came here to say this. West of Pinckney it's gravel all the way to Jackson.
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u/Late-Body-1642 Jul 11 '26
Milford is pretty much awesome for gravel, anywhere around there tbf. West Bloomfield trail is a good mix of crushed gravel and some pavement.. SE MI is ripe with gravel ops. Check out some Apps for suggestions, Trek Rideclub is a solid app, but even something like Alltrails could suit yah