March 01, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – The Share the Road Cycling Coalition, Ontario’s provincial cycling advocacy and policy organization and GranFondo Canada, the country’s premier organization for long distance, mass-participation cycling events today announced a partnership that will see GranFondo Canada support four of the Coalition’s Share the Road Rides in Ontario this summer.

These four “Prima Fondo” cycling events are scheduled this spring and summer, leading up to GranFondo Canada’s first event in Ontario in Niagara Falls on September 14th.

“GranFondo Canada shares our passion for creating Bicycle Friendly Communities and this was the clear jumping off point for this partnership,” said Eleanor McMahon, Founder and CEO of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. “We are delighted to have the support and expertise of a best in class cycling event organization of GranFondo Canada’s caliber. Their focus on the rider experience is sure to enhance our events, their support for our organization as one of their charitable partners will enhance our ability to deliver on our mandate, and their desire to invest in cycling programs at both the provincial and local level represents a win-win for our organization and for cycling in Ontario,” McMahon added.

“Entering the Ontario market is a big move for us and doing so in partnership with Share the Road will allow us to connect with and contribute to communities across Ontario,” said Dean Hachey, Director Business Development GranFondo Canada. “Our organization’s approach to building community is linked to supporting healthy lifestyles and encouraging cycling as a wonderful way to stay active. We are delighted to support the work of an organization that shares our passion for getting more people on bikes and giving communities the tools they need to make cycling safe.”

Both organizations share a commitment to getting more people on bikes and to growing cycling as an opportunity to improve public health, the environment, and economic development through bicycle travel: “We anticipate that cyclists participating in these rides will be training over a million kilometers this summer – not only in their own communities but through travel to other parts of Ontario. This will serve to improve their own health and well-being – as well as the environment and the economy of our province,” McMahon and Hachey added.

This year’s Prima Fondo rides will include the Spin the Lakes Muskoka Ride on May 25th in Huntsville, the Wheels for Wellness ride benefiting the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa on June 15th, the Minden 150 on August 10th and Greg’s Ride, in Memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart in Milton on September 29th. Prima Fondo events are GranFondostyle community rides that are held in the lead up to GranFondo Canada’s larger events.

Share the Road is also holding four additional non-Prima Fondo rides this summer. Funds raised in all rides will support of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition and local community organizations across Ontario.