08/02/2026
Massive thanks to Substance Projects Peppermint Cycling Cannondale Bicycles and all of those involved in running the first Grand River Gravel, starting from Water Cycles HQ in Belwood on August 1st. A glittering day to bring community together by cycling along and across the Grand River, an adventure that brought 250 riders to the Source region of the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to Six Nations of the Grand River six miles on either side of the Grand River. This new event has deep roots, and we are deeply grateful for the chance to welcome so many “eager beavers” to this special place. Three years ago Water Cycles launched its first Bikes and Blues Festival in Belwood as part of our mission to connect communities and water through cycling, building on a long tradition of community rides in the area. The event was meant to be our launch in the Grand River and it included rides from 15k to a 100k gravel epic. By popular demand we brought it back in 2024 with the help of wonderful volunteers like Valentina Steve Shikaze Paulo LaBerge Sean P Carson B.F.A, Hon. and more. But our mission focuses on environmental education and community driven science about the rivers and water, such as our Water Cycles Adventure board game and our recent reconciliation-focused bike tour of the Grand River co-created with Six Nations Tourism, Spring Carter, Two Row On The Grand and a wonderful crew from Six Nations and University of Waterloo's Faculty of Environment. Given our mission, we simply did not have the ability to develop the Grand River bike ride for 100s of riders coming from across Southern Ontario. So, we took a leap and reached out to Substance Projects (see picture #2), and the rest is history. Dan and his dedicated team brought professionalism and joy to this event, and we are so grateful. Welcome to Belwood, . We are already so excited for next year and cannot wait to help this event grow. A portion of the proceeds will support Water Cycles and its partnership with members of Six Nations, expanding access to bike-powered learning and progress toward reconciliation.