Nearly 700 cyclists book part in the 2018 inaugural Gran Fondo Lake Huron fundraiser.

The Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation is just days away from their Gran Fondo Lake Huron, set to take place August 18. After raising $134,000 during their inaugural year, SMHF hopes to top that for their second annual fundraiser.

Some sections of roads and trails will be closed during the event while others will remain open. In case of closures, residents will still be able to access their homes and businesses.

All drivers are urged to use caution, courtesy and patience on all roads as hundreds of cyclists will be participating in the event. Participating cyclists are instructed to obey all road signs and signals.

APPROVED ROAD CLOSURES - SOUTHAMPTON

From 4am to 6pm:
High Street from Albert Street (Hwy. 21) to Victoria Street
High Street from the Flag to Huron Street
Access to the Coliseum

From 4am to 11am
High Street from Huron Street to Grosvenor Street
Huron Street from Lansdowne Street to Palmerston Street

APPROVED ROAD CLOSURES - PORT ELGIN

The Saugeen Rail Trail will be closed from Elgin Street to Concession 10. The following streets will be closed to allow for safe usage of the rail trail:
Elgin Street between Wellington and Arlington (access to Fitness Corner will remain open from Arlington Street)
River Street between Wellington and Arlington
Woodland Street between Wellington and Arlington
754 Woodland Drive – barricade on the west side of the drive way, access from Arlington
757 Wellington Street Housing Complex – access to driveway from Wellington Street (no River Street access during the duration of this event)
728 and 732 Elgin Street - barricade on the east side of 728 Elgin Street driveway to allow access from Arlington
737 Elgin Street (Fitness Corner) – access to the parking lot from Arlington Street only
724 Elgin Street - no access to driveway during the event (Elgin Street will be closed, can park on the street east of the Rail Trail and access Arlington from there)

The four routes can be viewed at granfondolakehuron.ca. All four rides will start at Huron and High Street in Southampton as follows:

160km Bruce County Bucket List: At 7am cyclists will head east to the lights then turn north on Highway 21 towards County Road 13
110km Pretty in Paisley: At 7:15am cyclists will travel south along Huron Street South towards Port Elgin
70km Winding Past Windmills: At 8am cyclists will travel south along Huron Street South towards Port Elgin
30km From Shore to Farm and Back: At 9am cyclists travel south along Huron Street South towards Port Elgin
Finish Location: Cyclists will return to 235 High Street, in front of Martin’s Bicycle Shop, in Southampton with the last cyclist expected at approximately 2:30pm

SMHF encourages community engagement. "Make it a fun day for you and your family," read an August 7 media release. "Help us roll out the welcome mat. Come out and cheer on the cyclists as they pass your residence."