The fifth annual Bluewater International Granfondo (B.I.G.) has been postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The B.I.G. Committee announced in a release Saturday that this summer's cycling event has been moved to August 1, 2021.
The release said that because the group is uncertain whether such a large gathering would be permitted in early August and whether it would be possible to carry out the event while ensuring the safety of cyclists, volunteers, and the community, it will not be possible to hold the event as scheduled, August 2, 2020.
The release said that all of the committee's stakeholders are on board for next year’s B.I.G., and that those who were registered for this year’s event will be automatically transferred to 2021.
In 2019, the Gran Fondo Guide’s top 20 list had the local event ranked first in Ontario, second in Canada and 14th in North America.
Granfondo Chairman Ken MacAlpine speaking to a crowd of cyclists at Blackwell Plaza. August 1, 2018.
Meanwhile, B.I.G. launched a new initiative to help feed front line hospital workers nutritious meals during the COVID-19 pandemic last month.
Chair Ken MacAlpine said they’ve raised $10,000 for B.I.G. Bites on Bikes.