Check out the newest ride in the Cannondale On. Gravel Series, Grand River Gravel Ride in support of Water Cycles.
A little longer, a little less rowdy, a lot of fun, and butter tarts for sale at the finish line.
What is
Water Cycles?
Water Cycles reconnects communities and water through cycling. Led by volunteers around the world, Water Cycles rides celebrate natural wonders, cultural heritage, and the powerful connections that humans have to water - and each other.
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A portion of each registration fee will go to Water Cycles to support their Two Row by The Grand event, which is a reconciliation‑focused bike tour in the Grand River watershed.
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To donate directly to this program visit their website.
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For more information about Water Cycles initiatives, head over to www.watercycles.bike
Course
Featuring an 110k and 50k epic lap with lots of rolling gravel and beautiful views.
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Parking and amenities
The lovely town of Belwood has lots of on-street parking, parking at the baseball diamond, and the church has given us permission to park in their lot during the race. Big thank you to St Johns United Church!
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We ask that you do NOT park on George St as we want to keep the spaces open for other patrons of Joanie's and The Country Store. We would like to be invited back next year for a fun bike party in Belwood, so please be a good neighbour.
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Also, PLEASE do NOT change clothes indiscreetly in public (do it in your vehicle, bring a changing poncho, etc.) and for calls of nature PLEASE DO use the port-a-potties we have arranged for at Maple Park. Please be respectful of the neighbours. We want to be invited back next year!
Pre-Ride
Everyone is welcome, with a special focus on encouraging more women to give it a go.
The $20 registration fee will be donated to two organizations supporting women and girls.
Register at https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=426493
Saturday, July 18
Distance: 50k
Get a sneak peek of the Grand River Gravel Ride course in this fun, challenging, female-led social ride with Peppermint Cycling!
Schedule
8:00am
Parking / Sign-In open
9:00am
Sign-In closes
10:00am
100k race starts
10:15am
50k race starts
1pm
50k Podium
2pm
110k Podium
Post Race/Ride Activities
Food
There are two options in town. Head over to Joanie's on George Street where they have the a take-out window to grab a quick bite. From 8-10 they will have egg & cheese on a bun ($12) and with a coffee ($14) and lots of fresh coffee brewing. After the race they will have a hotdog and a pop from the take-out window, along with a full service restaurant if you have a minute.
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And just across the street the Belwood Country Market has a great selection of sandwiches and other takeout options along with possibly the best butter tarts you have ever had. So pop in and grab a bite and thank them for accepting us filling up the town!
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There is also swimming in Lake Belwood just down the gravel lane behind Joanie's and a big park to play in for your fan club or if you want to cool down.
Registration Information
100k
December 1 - December 24 $85
December 25 - July 17 $100
July 18 - August 1 $120
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50k
December 1 - December 24 $65
December 25 - July 17 $75
July 18 - August 1 $95
What do you get?
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Olway Performance Drink on course
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Drop bags brought to the aid station for you. (Don’t drop things that are valuable! The bins will be coming back after the last rider goes past!)
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Finisher pint glass
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A killer course with a lot of different types of "gravel"
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Professional first aid by Odyssey Medical
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"Over-marked" course so you can enjoy the day without worrying about getting lost
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Inclusive and encouraging vibe
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GPS track to follow so you are super confident
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Wicked draw prizes!
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Aid station on course
Important!
Highway Traffic Act
The Highway Traffic Act applies. The roads are not closed. You are expected to follow all traffic laws.
If you are caught breaking them you will be disqualified. There is a lot of climbing and rough surface and challenging roads. You will not win or lose the race by running a stop sign, so don’t!
Hand-ups/Feeds
All hand-ups/feeds must happen in the aid stations. If you take help outside the aid stations you risk disqualification.
For safety and to keep it fair for all riders you are NOT ALLOWED to receive assistance from non-racers or bottle/food hand ups outside the aid stations. We want a level playing field so that everyone KNOWS how awesome you were and no one wonders if it was the friend handing you bottles at the top of the climbs that helped. We also want to keep non-essential traffic off the course to keep riders safe.
Riders can help others participating. So if someone crashes or has a mechanical, please do stop and help.
Signage
There will be lots of signs on course. Our arrows are orange UCI-shaped arrows on a white background. We also have an X for when you miss a turn.
These are used at our discretion and are not at every turn, so keep your head up, or use your GPS.
Odyssey Medical
Odyssey Medical will be on site to take care of any first aid issues. If you or a rider near you is injured during the race call Odyssey Medical (on number plate) or report to one of the Aid Stations.
What bike can I ride?
Anything you want as long as it is safe!
Since Cannondale is our title sponsor, let’s say this course would be great on a Topstone. It would be super fast on a Super Six EVO SE. And it would be a butter-smooth, yet fast ride on a Topstone Lefty. Make sense?
Or you can be like Team Colin and ride 33mm tires no matter what and have a great time. You can ride a mountain bike, or even a fat bike! As long as you have fun.
Substance Projects' Weather Guarantee
Weather is always challenging and can completely change a race. So we developed the Substance Projects 100% Weather Guarantee: We guarantee that 100% of the course will have weather.
If any section doesn’t have weather we will refund you that percentage of your entry fee upon proof there was no weather.
Whining Policy
We have a strict "No Whining" policy. If it was all easy and downhill then it wouldn’t feel like you accomplished anything!
Inclusive Race
These are races for everyone! In the spirit of equity and inclusion we celebrate difference and especially encourage those who have historically been excluded from sport.
See our Inclusion Statement on our About Us page.
Cancellation / Refunds
There are NO REFUNDS for those who can’t make it on race day or for cancellation of the event for any reason.
If the event cannot proceed, registrants will have their entry carried over to the re-scheduled date or have credit for another Substance Projects Event.
