The Rides

10k Ride

An introductory 10km route is being offered for family fun! We encourage cyclists of all ages and abilities to come out to participate. This ride is perfect for families or inspiring young riders, it features roughly 50 meters of elevation and showcases some picturesque mixed surface, low volume roads, ideal for any and all bicycle types.

Start Time: tbd

30k Ride

The 30km route gives riders a sample of the best riding that the Saugeen Shores area has to offer. This ride travels out towards the beautiful farmland along the fertile shores of the Saugeen River, then tracks towards Port Elgin and finally heads to the Western shores before bringing cyclist back home to Southampton.

Start Time: 8:00 am

Rest Stops: 1

Elevation Gain: 181m (approx)

75k Ride

The 75km route has a great balance of scenery and topography. It features some beautiful winding roads as it rolls alongside the Saugeen River, before heading out to some rolling terrain as it heads over the height of land towards the Saugeen River valley. It then heads towards the forests of MacGregor Point Provincial Park before returning along the shoreline to Southampton.

Start Time: 7:30 am

Rest Stops: 2

Elevation: 441m (approx)

110k Ride

The 110km route offers riders a mixture of terrain over its length as it travels-through some of the nicest roads in the area. Featuring beautiful winding roads as it rolls alongside the Saugeen River, before heading out to some rolling terrain as it heads over the height of land towards the Saugeen River valley. It then heads West and takes riders South passing-through Tiverton. From there it heads back North towards the forests of MacGregor Point Provincial Park before returning along the shoreline to Southampton.

Start Time: 7:00 am

Rest Stops: 3

Elevation Gain: 654m (approx)

Note – the interactive map shows some gravel roads as part of the route, this is not the case. All roads are paved from start to finish when the course is selected. 

80k Gravel Road Ride

The 80km gravel ride is the best option to explore the varied terrain and beautiful landscapes throughout Saugeen Shores. Very approachable for anyone new to gravel riding who might otherwise consider the 70 or 110km road routes. Leaving Southampton your first taste of gravel is under the tree canopy past the Saugeen Golf Club, followed by scenic segments of the Saugeen Rail Trail and rolling country roads with light gravel and hard pack surface, comprising a route that is 60% unpaved. You’ll discover why gravel riding is the fastest growing genre in cycling – quieter roads, tranquil trails and a healthy dose of physical and technical challenge that will have you consuming some extra fuel at the Paisley rest stop and reward you with satisfaction for completing the ride! Gravel bikes, hybrids with wider tires or mountain bikes are recommended.

Start Time: 7:15 am

Rest Stops: tbd

Elevation Gain: 448m (approx)

1k Ride

Please note this ride takes place the day after the rest of the rides on Sunday August, 18th @ 10am.

The 2024 Gran Fondo also offers a 1km Kids Event for children. Participants will start at the parking lot at the Plex in Port Elgin and will follow the 1km route, making stops along the way, participating in fun activities and/or collecting take away items.

Online registration is required and includes a backpack for each child to collect all the fun take-aways along the route as well as a ticket for the BBQ lunch afterward (includes a hotdog, drink, granola bar and fresh fruit). Parents may purchase additional lunch tickets for themselves or siblings who are not participating in the event but will be in attendance for a cost of $8/each.

Kids are encouraged to fundraise if they can. Use your automatic online fundraising page that is set up once your register and share the link with friends and family or print out the paper fundraising form and bring it with you along with the funds collected the morning of the event.

Start Time: 10:00 am (Sunday, August 18th)