While we do have a good amount of dirt roads, they mostly service rural areas where few people live. The nearest gravel road to me is only 3 miles from home. Some gravel is better than others but it's all generally pretty nice throughout Minnesota where I live.

I bought a gravel bike 4 years ago and enjoy being able to take it places where my road bike with its skinnier tires can't venture. Gravel roads give me so many more options and with much less traffic. The gravel scene is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the bike industry. If I had to guess, I'd say it's because cyclists have grown weary of distracted drivers so they're looking for a safer alternative for where they ride. I probably split my time evenly between road and gravel with some mountain biking sprinkled into the mix.

Kevin g