Armed with blue cowbells, many fans lined the fences as the 160 kilometre cyclists got on their way during the inaugural Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation Gran Fondo Lake Huron fundraiser August 19 in Southampton.
Hub Staff
The inaugural Gran Fondo Lake Huron, a fundraiser put on by the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) saw approximately 670 cyclists take part in four different routes raising $125,000 for health care in Grey and Bruce counties.
Community members from Saugeen First Nation got the day started by conducting a traditional Sunrise Ceremony at 6:30 a.m.
The event's longest ride, a 160 kilometre centurion (100 mile) ride, left the starting point at 7 a.m. and saw over 70 participants making their way from Southampton to Sauble Beach, Tiverton, Paisley and back again; and although the rides were not timed in any official capacity, many cyclists used their own digital apps with the top time recorded going to Dermot Barry-Murphy with a time of 04:21:29.
There were over 100 participants involved in the 110km ride that directed cyclists to Tiverton and Paisley.
Many onlookers gathered in and around Paisley and encouraged the 70km, 110km and 160km cyclists with cheers and waving flags. Some ran alongside riders on some of the steeper climbs which had cyclists shifting into the lowest gear to make it to the top.
The event's 30km ride saw the greatest number of participants and took cyclists along the Lake Huron shoreline to the Thede farm and back to Southampton.
All routes took riders past the Saugeen Memorial Hospital before finding their way to the finish line in Southampton.
Tykes on trikes and younger cyclists participated in activities in and around the Southampton Coliseum put on by sponsor EMC Canada.
With help from the many event sponsors, participants enjoyed an after ride picnic at the big flag that featured live music, face painting as well as rides inside the Re/Max hot air balloon.
At the picnic SMHF Executive Director Sally Kidson announced that the Gran Fondo will become a yearly tradition with the next one already scheduled for August 18, 2019.
Saugeen Memorial Hospital Manager Donna Chappelle, with husband Carey in tandum, worked as the centurion ride sweepers to make sure no one was left behind during Gran Fondo Lake Huron August 19.
The 110km riders were ready to head out in perfect conditions.
Two-year old Kyleigh Buckton took her flag waving very seriously as the Gran Fondo official starter.
Brett Martin, owner of Martin’s Bicycle Shop, and Stanley Kollontay (red) of Southampton started and ended their 30km ride together.
Olivia Barwell and John Milley of Saugeen Shores rode the 70km ride together.
Kevin Orr started in the middle of the pack for Gran Fondo's 70km ride.
Eleven year-old Sacha Hess (left) was the youngest rider to take on the 70km route.
Karyn Stepien of Guelph (left) joined local riders Jessica Carter, Sue Buckton and Chris Johnson in the 30km ride.
The Re/Max Land Exchange riders were realtors Jeryn DeCoppel (left), Terina Wnuk and Samantha Trumbley.
Princesses lined the finish line inside the Southampton Coliseum during the children's ride and obstacle course, part of Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation's Gran Fondo Lake Huron August 19.