It’s an opportunity to Bike the Bruce with the pros.
The Ontario Cup bicycle race is heading to the Bruce Peninsula on Sunday in the 4th in a series of races throughout the season.
Event spokesperson Michael Budd says organizers expect up to 300 professional bikers from across Ontario to take part.
Budd says there are a number of different categories for the serious bikers that will take on the 31-kilometer route beginning at 8 Sunday morning.
He says some will be doing 2 laps of the course while others will do, 3, 4 and some 5 laps of the course, representing a 155 kilometer bike run.
Budd says this is the first time this race has been held in the Bruce Peninsula and not only are you invited to come and have a look but you can take part as well.
For the first time there is a new category that’s called the Open Citizens Event.
As long as you have the necessay bike helmet and your bike is in good shape, you’re invited to tackle the same 31 kilometer course as the pros for one lap.
Budd says some will race it but others will simply try to complete it.
The course route begins and ends at the intersection of the South Oliphant Road and the Sauble Falls Parkway.
The route will then turn north to the road between Oliphant and Wiarton and proceed into Wiarton then turn back and proceed towards the beach and eventually back to South Oliphant Road.
Budd says if you can picture the Tour de France, this race will be exactly the same, with the same strategies but on a smaller scale.
He says co-operation in the area has been terrific considering no one really knows what to expect.
However he hinted that this could become an annual event.
For the serious racers there is cash and prizes worth five thousand dollars at the finish line.
Bike the Bruce will go Sunday, rain or shine.