Originally Posted by
Reflector Guy
Depends on what you mean by "small gravel" I suppose.
Here in Illinois at least, the rail trails are hardpacked FA-6 gradation limestone screenings. Closeup, it resembles very small gravel. But it packs hard and makes for a very hard and smooth surface for road bikes. I've ridden countless miles on them, ever since about age 12 or so, first with 27x1-1/4 tires and now 700x25C tires on regular drop-bar road bikes. Nothing special about reach or top tube length. Same bikes I ride on the road.
I assume we've been on the same trail. I rode the old train trail in that area (Milwaukee to Chicago and maybe further north or south) many times. Nice packed gravel. I've never ridden that trail on a road bike (BMX as a kid and later mountain bikes), but it was always super smooth. Good to hear it's doable.