A prominent cycling website is pumping the tires of Sarnia-Lambton's Bluewater International Granfondo (BIG).
The Gran Fondo Guide's top 20 list for 2019 has the local event ranked first in Ontario, second in Canada and 14th in North America.
Registration for the fourth annual Bluewater International Granfondo August 4 is now open.
Event Chair Ken MacAlpine said Sarnia-Lambton is the perfect spot for cycling.
"I think the location of Mike Weir Park and along the shores of Lake Huron is being recognized as a superb location for a cycling event, and the quality of the event is being spread around by other cyclists in other communities and attracting a lot of people to our area," said MacAlpine. "We're about double the registration that we had at this time last year, we're more than half filled, and we're looking at more than 1,100 riders this year".
MacAlpine said new features this year include a 30-kilometre route for beginner to intermediate riders as well as the traditional 50-kilometre, 100-kilometre or 150-kilometre routes.
MacAlpine said more than 500 cyclists have already registered for the event, and less than 500 spots are still available.
BIG is committed to continuing funding world-class palliative care education for nurses, social workers, personal support workers and volunteers. Last year’s event raised over $60,000.
Last year's Gran Fondo Guide had the local event ranked number two in Ontario, number six in Canada, and number 15 in North America.