The Rules

1. Safety-approved cycle helmets (Snell or equivalent national standard) are compulsory and must be worn at all times when cycling.  Any cyclist not wearing a helmet while participating in the event will be asked to leave the course.

2. You must stay to the right-hand side of the lane at all times unless passing.

3. You must never cross the center line, if you do you will be disqualified and asked to leave the course.

4. You may not use your mobile phone while cycling.  You must stop at the roadside if you need to make or receive a call.

5. You must have a device to carry water with you while riding.

6. Participants must display all rider numbers provided at Registration at all times.

7. It is the rider’s responsibility to enter and exit the timed sections while they are open.  Each timed sections will be sequentially closed based on an average minimum progression speed 25 kmph for THE BLUEWATER, 20kmph for THE LAMBTON and 15 kmph for THE SARNIA (note: this is not average ride speed, this is average progression speed and includes all stop time).

8. Bikes are required to be in EXCELLENT working order – road bikes are preferable, but mountain, hybrid touring bikes and recumbent bicycles are acceptable. Trikes, elliptical and fixed wheel represent a departure from this standard and for this reason, are not encouraged.  Anything outside of what we’ve mentioned here is strictly not allowed. E bikes are allowed but some restrictions apply.  Only pedal assist e-bikes are allowed; throttle assist e-bikes are not allowed. If utilizing an e-bike, please do not pick up a timing chip as no time will be given for E bikes. You can have Aero Bars fitted on your bike BUT DO NOT USE THEM as they are not safe in large groups.

9. Bikes with children in child seats, tag-along bikes or trailers are NOT permitted.

10. The organizers reserve the right to withdraw a participant from the event if their bike is considered, in the organizer’s opinion, to represent a danger to the cyclist or other participants.

11. You may NOT ride under someone else’s rider number under any circumstance.  Doing so will result in disqualification.

12. Be aware of other participants around you and allow faster riders to pass you on the left.

13. You must not deviate from the official event route which will have directional signage throughout.  Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

14. You must follow the instructions provided by Event Officials, Marshals and Event Organizer at all times.  Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

15. For safety reasons, please do not leave the course without informing an Event Official.

16. You must adhere to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Cyclist’s Rules of the Road for the duration of the event.

17. Toilets are available at all Fuel Stations enroute and at Mike Weir Park.  Please use these facilities and respect the local area and residents.

18. Littering is both against the law and unacceptable behavior, especially in this beautiful area.  Participant are not to dispose of litter other than in the garbage bins provided at feed stations and at Mike Weir Park.

19. Lowest combined time wins.

Safety-approved cycle helmets (Snell or equivalent national standard) are compulsory and must be worn at all times when cycling.  Any cyclist not wearing a helmet while participating in the event will be asked to leave the course.

Your bike needs to be in reliable working order so that you don’t pose a danger to yourself or others when you drop a chain, blow a rim, or even eject a water bottle from a too-loose cage.

Please use toilets provided.  They are available at all Fuel Stations on route and at Mike Weir Park.  Please use these facilities and respect the local area and residents.

Many of the roads you will ride are very narrow, with no center line.  They will be shared with vehicular traffic.  Please ride to the right when in narrow sections of road.  Please use rules of the road at all intersections.  The GranFondo roads are not closed and there will be open to non-event vehicles traveling with and against you.  While traffic on these roads is minimal, it is still there. It only takes one.

Additionally, riding in the middle of the road absent motor vehicle traffic can still cause unsafe conditions for other, faster riders.  Regardless of how fast you think you’re going, someone is pretty much always coming up behind you.  Get over to the right as far as safety allows and let the faster flow pass you by.  It’s better for them and it’s better for you.

We are conducting this event on some remote roads in our county.  Nevertheless, these roads pass through working landscapes and those who use these roads require your respect and courtesy.  Residents along these routes are made aware of the event, but this many cyclists using these roads at one time is an anomaly.  Please be courteous to drivers and let them pass by moving to the right whenever it is reasonably safe to do so.

Please put all garbage or trash, gel packs, inner tubes, or any other disposable items into your pockets until you arrive at either a Fuel Station or the finish.  There will be blue boxes available for recycling.

We will enforce all of these rules in order to ensure rider safety.  There’s always a few people in any large group of cyclists who, for one reason or another, disobey the rules of the road.  In a ride this big and challenging, there can be serious consequences to this sort of recklessness; some could even be fatal.  Event marshals, motorcycles, and SAG staff will be riding with you to offer the best and safest experience possible.  They will also ensure that all of these rules are being followed.  If these rules are broken, you will be disqualified and not permitted to return next year.

You must not use your mobile phone while cycling.  You must stop at the roadside if you need to make or receive a call.

Bluewater International Granfondo is said to be one of the most enjoyable cycling events in Canada.  We are very proud of this and want you to leave as ecstatic about the event as we are to host it.  If you follow these rules, keep your head up, and treat others like you’d expect to treated, you will leave with one very memorable experience.

Unfortunately, the GranFondo cannot offer refunds or deferrals to following years for those unable to attend the event.

You can always ride a shorter route than the one for which you are registered.  If you know that you are going to ride a shorter route ahead of time and would like us to officially move you to that route, then email info@bigf.ca.  Email us within 2 weeks of event date with your full name and your registration confirmation along with the route you would like to ride and we will be happy to change it for you.

There is no “self-upgrading” your existing registration to a longer route.