Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
I've ridden gravel on a road bike with 28mm tires and not much clearance. There is a good argument to be made that you'll learn some valuable things when you use the "wrong" bike for the purpose.
I'm reminded of my adolescent self riding a Sears Free Spirit in rural Kansas gravel roads and cow paths. Long before Dirty Kanza... I simply didn't know any better...