Sarnia police are asking motorists travelling along Lakeshore Road to be patient or plan ahead to avoid delays Sunday, August 4. As many as 1,000 cyclists from across North America and even some from Europe and Mexico are expected to participate in the fourth annual Bluewater International Granfondo. Cst. Nelson Amaral said the ride starts and finishes at Mike Weir Park in Bright's Grove. "There are four start times, 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.," said Amaral. "The 7 a.m. is the 150 kilometre, we get about 150 riders, 8 a.m. is the 100 kilometre with 350 riders, 8:30 a.m. the 50 kilometre with about 330 riders and 9 a.m. is the 30 kilometre with about 80 riders." He said traffic will be stopped at Lakeshore Road and Brigden Road for each of those start times. "All of the riders exit the backside of Mike Weir Park onto Old Lakeshore/Brigden. They head south. We stop eastbound/westbound traffic on Lakeshore for about five minutes, for each one of those start times." Last year's event raised $60,000 for St. Joseph's Hospice and Palliative Care at Bluewater Health.
2018 Bluewater International Granfondo. (Photo courtesy of Gina Marie Photography)
