About the Ride

Overview

The Roady Groady is a gravel ride through the western reaches of the County of Elgin, starting from the Southwold Keystone Complex. Now into its third year, the ride has been sanctioned by Ontario Cycling, allowing it to be opened to the greater public.

Expect a mix of different surface types along the route, including:

  • hard-packed dirt

  • loose gravel

  • unmaintained farm roads

  • ATV trail

  • Paved roads

Ride Day

Parking

Parking will be slightly south of the Keystone Complex, at the Shedden Open Space Park (9210 Union Road, Shedden, Ontario). An off-road path connects this park to the Keystone Complex, allowing the separation of vehicular and cycling traffic for everyone's safety.

Starting Location and Ride HQ

Ride HQ and your starting location will be the Southwold Keystone Complex (35921 Talbot Line, Shedden, Ontario). The parking in this location will be restricted to ride organizers, volunteers and safety personnel only.

At Ride HQ, you will be required to check in for the ride and you will have access to restrooms prior to departure.

Ride Waves

Riders will be departing from the Ride HQ in waves according to the distances they have registered for. It is important that you attend your starting wave as we will be moving marshals and traffic control based on expected paces from the groups and course feedback. The tentative schedule is as follows:

  • Wave 1 - 100km Riders - 9:00AM

  • Wave 2 - 75km Riders - 9:30AM

  • Wave 3 - 45km Riders - 10:00AM

Ride Signage

Routes will be signed on the roadside using the ride distance as the key. The signs will be large enough to spot from a distance and will be before and at intersections where the direction of travel changes. There are a few intersections where different distances will be taking different turns. Please pay attention.

During the Ride

Highway Traffic Act

This event occurs on open roads and falls under the Highway Traffic Act. This means that all road signs must be respected (e.g. Stop, Yield) and that riders should allow faster moving vehicles to overtake when it is safe to do so. Stay to the right on all roads (even gravel) to allow oncoming traffic to move without issue.

Traffic Control

Some higher-risk intersections will have a presence from the Elgin County OPP, monitoring and directing traffic. These are the only intersections that you would be allowed to proceed through without stopping IF directed to do so by the officer.

Marshals

Some intersections may have a marshal present to advise you of the presence of other vehicles. Marshals are not allowed to control traffic but may advise you that it is safe to make a turn. They also allow communication between riders on the course and Race HQ.

EMERGENCIES

In the event of an issue on the course that requires first aid, please contact our Emergency Response team via the number provided at check-in. Provide them with the nature of the issue and your approximate location and either a marshal, our on-site first responders or the local EMS will be dispatched. Alternatively, inform a course marshal and they will arrange the dispatch for you.

Post Ride

Join us post-ride for some eats from local food trucks! More to come!