Major Summer Cycling Event Announced (GALLERY)

A new major cycling event will make its debut in Sarnia-Lambton this summer.

The Bluewater International Granfondo expects to attract about 500 cyclists from southwestern Ontario and the U.S. for 50k, 100k and 150k routes.

Event Chair Ken MacAlpine helped make the announcement Friday morning at Tourism Sarnia-Lambton on Venetian Blvd.

MacAlpine says as an avid rider, he hopes to share some of the beautiful scenery local routes have to offer.

"The [long] route starts in Mike Weir Park on Lake Huron and then it will head out through Warwick, out to Arkona, and then from Arkona in back through Forest and back into Mike Weir Park with the last three kilometers along the shores of Lake Huron," he says.

The 'Granfondo', an Italian word meaning 'great big race', will offer timed sections with relaxed biking in-between.

MacAlpine says cyclists can "compete against their friends in the timed section and then at the finish of the event, who beat who, and the bragging rights that will go on," says MacAlpine.

NGL Supply Co. Ltd. is the title sponsor of the event with a donation of $20,000. Other sponsors are needed for post ride entertainment, timed sections and fuel station areas.

The event, beginning at 7am July 31, will help attract visitors, supporting the local economy and raise an estimated $80,000 for palliative care at Bluewater Health and St. Joseph's Hospice.

Tourism Sarnia-Lambton's Vicky Praill, Event Chair Ken MacAlpine, Bluewater Health Foundation Board Member Johnathan Palumbo, and VP of NGL Supply Co. Ltd. David Palmer announce the Bluewater International Grandfondo event. March 4, 2016 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

Vice President of NGL Supply Co. Ltd. David Palmer signs the sponsorship cheque of $20,000 for Bluewater International Granfondo. March 4, 2016 (BlackburnNews.com Photo by Briana Carnegie)

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