Gravel, Gravy, and Good Times in Southeast Manitoba

A two-day gravel ride through Manitoba's Francophone communities — where the roads are crushed limestone and the poutine is anything but ordinary.

All it takes is a map of southeastern Manitoba, a bike with some grit, and a serious appetite. The Poutine Trail — introduced by CDEM, the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities — links eight Francophone communities through some of the best gravel riding south of Winnipeg. And we couldn't resist turning it into a two-wheeled adventure.

Brian Szklarczuk of St. Boniface, longtime gravel enthusiast and one of the riders behind Prairie Velo, mapped out a route that follows the trail by bike. The idea came the way most of our best ideas do: staring at a map and thinking, that looks rideable.

The route

Day one leaves from Cafe Postal in St. Boniface and heads out through Lorette, Ste. Anne, Richer, and Marchand before crossing over to St. Pierre-Jolys for the overnight stop. That's roughly 125 to 140 km, all on gravel roads. Day two picks up from St. Pierre and rolls through St. Malo, St. Jean-Baptiste, and St. Agathe before looping back into the city.

Can't commit to the full two days? No problem. The route is designed so riders can meet up and join for just a section. This ride is for every body — whether you're a seasoned gravel rider or someone who just wants to pedal to the next poutine stop on an e-bike.

More than a ride

What makes the Poutine Trail special isn't just the gravel. It's the communities along the way. Roselle Turenne, Tourism Consultant for CDEM, created the trail to draw people beyond the Perimeter and into the small towns that most Winnipeggers have never thought to visit.

And that's exactly what adventure cycling does best — it connects riders to places they'd otherwise drive right past. A village you've never heard of becomes a lunch stop you'll never forget. A shop you didn't know existed becomes the story you tell back home.

Each of the eight participating restaurants has developed a signature poutine for the trail. The only rules: hand-cut fries and real cheese curds. Beyond that, the creativity is wide open — from breakfast poutine to taco poutine. You earn every bite on gravel.

Why this matters

We started Prairie Velo with a simple belief: the best cycling in Manitoba is on the roads less travelled. The Poutine Trail proves it. These southeastern backroads offer quiet riding, friendly communities, and the kind of small-town hospitality that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

Getting people out of the city and into rural Manitoba — on bikes — is good for riders, good for small towns, and good for the province. When a cyclist rolls into a community, they stop. They eat. They talk to people. They discover things. That's the magic of travelling at bike speed.

Join the ride

The Poutine Trail is open and waiting. Ride the whole thing over two days, pick a section for a day trip, or just point your wheels toward the nearest signature poutine and see where the gravel takes you.

Quick reference

Route: St. Boniface → Lorette → Ste. Anne → Richer → Marchand → St. Pierre-Jolys → St. Malo → St. Jean-Baptiste → St. Agathe → Winnipeg

Distance: ~250 km over two days (shorter options available)

Terrain: Gravel roads throughout southeastern Manitoba

Best bikes: Gravel bikes, adventure bikes, mountain bikes, gravel e-bikes

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging — long days on gravel, but flat terrain and flexible pacing

Food: Eight communities with signature poutine — hand-cut fries and cheese curds guaranteed

More info: Search for the CDEM Poutine Trail or the "Best Rural Day Trips" brochure for route details and restaurant listings

Whether you need a gravel bike to tackle the Poutine Trail, an e-bike to keep up with the group, or just some advice on riding Manitoba's backroads, Prairie Velo has you covered. Visit us at 967 Wolseley Ave or call 204.403.0606.