# Bikes and Blues Festival, September 9, 2023, Belwood **URL:** \ **Category:** Gravel\ **Tags:** Community-Event\ **Created:** [14 July 2023 16:09 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969 "2023-07-14T16:09:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [14 July 2023 16:09 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/1 "2023-07-14T16:09:10Z")
Hey all! There’s a new event coming this September! The Bikes and Blues Festival in Belwood, September 9, 2023. Tickets are only about $30, but I have a deal for you! You can use the code WCC2023 to get 20% off. The ride itself is free, but the registration fee is for the live music. Here’s the registration link: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bikes-blues-festival-grand-river-bike-rides-live-music-celebration-tickets-670950339527?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bikes-blues-festival-grand-river-bike-rides-live-music-celebration-tickets-670950339527?aff=oddtdtcreator) It’s a one-day music festival to celebrate water, cycling and community in the Upper Grand River. The rides range in distance from 15 to 90 km and will be all-surface rides, including gravel, rail trail and pavement. It’s NOT a race; the pace will be casual. Here’s a link to the ride descriptions: [https://docs.google.com/document/d/13aDC\_BM5Hc5\_u15xJsVu16KV2fQS2kZDjCRAk4LsB0s/edit](https://docs.google.com/document/d/13aDC_BM5Hc5_u15xJsVu16KV2fQS2kZDjCRAk4LsB0s/edit) The organizer is Dustin Garrick, who is a professor in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo. I’ve connected with Dustin from our shared passions of water and cycling! Earlier this week, Dustin and I along with long-time WCC’er Glen Johannesson rode a loop around Luther Marsh (part of the 90 km route) and Glen took some drone footage. I’ll post a video when it’s all edited, but here’s a sneak preview photo (Photo by Glen J.): ![WC 02](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/9/9c36aa8eff46b9616fc2b321a8d754f6cc7bda95.jpeg) I’ve signed up and I’m hoping for a good turnout from WCC, so please spread the word! If you have any questions, please message me privately, or in this thread! Steve Shikaze ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [15 July 2023 17:45 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/3 "2023-07-15T17:45:21Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/6/6f7e6e576ea9d3589dee4247d75f52450b21cc3f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![MarkW](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/markw/32/382_2.png) [@MarkW](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/MarkW)\ **Post date:** [15 July 2023 18:53 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/4 "2023-07-15T18:53:58Z")
Dustin’s Water Cycles Expeditions is a neat idea. Glad he’s doing something locally. Sept 9 is a Saturday, so maybe the gravel leaders can work this into their ride plans @KevRidesGravel, @VikramSubramanian, @JimDaley, @PattiDennison. ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [13 August 2023 15:01 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/5 "2023-08-13T15:01:29Z")
Less than a month to go! As added incentive, I have some FREE tickets to give away! First 4 people to private message me will get a ticket! Steve Shikaze ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [31 August 2023 20:13 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/6 "2023-08-31T20:13:04Z")
Hey all, I’ve heard from a few who plan to attend this ride in 9 days! It promises to be a fantastic event! The ride itself is FREE (different distances up to 90 km). Tickets are on sale for $20 for the Music Festival afterwards! Who’s going? We can talk car pooling if there are enough. Steve p.s. I’m doing 50 km. I had surgery in late July and I’m way out of shape. It’s non-drop, non-competitive (rec gravellers come on out!) ---
**Author:** ![JimDaley](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jimdaley/32/7507_2.png) [@JimDaley](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/JimDaley)\ **Post date:** [6 September 2023 17:32 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/7 "2023-09-06T17:32:29Z")
I am registered for the 90km ride. Hope to see you there. ---
**Author:** ![valentinacastilloc](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/valentinacastilloc/32/7613_2.png) [@valentinacastilloc](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/valentinacastilloc)\ **Post date:** [6 September 2023 17:50 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/8 "2023-09-06T17:50:42Z")
Me too! I’ll see you there Jim 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Ddawdy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/ddawdy/32/12197_2.png) [@Ddawdy](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/Ddawdy)\ **Post date:** [8 September 2023 02:30 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/9 "2023-09-08T02:30:13Z")
Registered for the 90km ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [8 September 2023 19:10 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/10 "2023-09-08T19:10:14Z")
See you there Valentina, Doug, Jim! Probably after the rides, in Belwood! Steve ---
**Author:** ![jnet](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jnet/32/5379_2.png) [@jnet](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/jnet)\ **Post date:** [8 September 2023 21:24 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/11 "2023-09-08T21:24:28Z")
Hi! I just registered for the 50km ride. (Also surgery) Little last minute… I’m wondering if there’s carpool space for me from Waterloo(~Laurier) to Bellwood? @SteveSh I only need the one-way there as my spouse will join us for the blues after the ride. Also, I’m wondering if there’s a ride with gps route I can upload to my devices? See y’all tomorrow! Cheers! Janette ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [8 September 2023 22:24 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/12 "2023-09-08T22:24:06Z")
Hi @jnet ! I can pick you up at 10am! I’m one of the leaders for the 50 km and I need to be there for 11am. Where can we meet? Here’s a route you can download! [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44356647](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44356647) ---
**Author:** ![jnet](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jnet/32/5379_2.png) [@jnet](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/jnet)\ **Post date:** [8 September 2023 22:31 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/13 "2023-09-08T22:31:55Z")
Awesome!!! I’m literally at Moses Springer community center if you want to meet in the parking lot. I will pm you both addresses. ---
**Author:** ![smith.a.natalie](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/smith.a.natalie/32/7567_2.png) [@smith.a.natalie](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/smith.a.natalie)\ **Post date:** [9 September 2023 11:53 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/14 "2023-09-09T11:53:09Z")
@JimDaley @valentinacastilloc @Ddawdy - do either of you have the the 90km route link for ride with gps? ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [9 September 2023 12:04 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/15 "2023-09-09T12:04:19Z")
Hi Natalie Here it is! > **[Ride with GPS | Bike Route Planner and Cycling Navigation App](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44370660)** > > Discover your next great ride in our library of the best bike routes in the world. An easy to use platform that has everything you need for cycling. ---
**Author:** ![JimDaley](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jimdaley/32/7507_2.png) [@JimDaley](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/JimDaley)\ **Post date:** [9 September 2023 12:07 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/16 "2023-09-09T12:07:37Z")
I have it on my Garmin. On route to the start so not sure how to share it with you. ---
**Author:** ![jnet](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jnet/32/5379_2.png) [@jnet](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/jnet)\ **Post date:** [10 September 2023 05:47 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/17 "2023-09-10T05:47:14Z")
Great day for a solid ride! It was good route with a tinge of 🌶 and a side of cat 2.5 gravel 🫨. Because I was with the smaller group we were lucky to be able to traverse the road closures. Maybe should’ve gone counter clockwise though… tomorrow is going to ache. Not sure where to share these photos: ![IMG_4055](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/7/7f4c41f1b44ef1d94e76ef519127be711735fb2d.jpeg) ![IMG_4056](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/8/8e243b13c4c0afdc07df3bf7efe66783b635ab8d.jpeg) ![IMG_4058](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/1/14059df51acccaf5326c8d8a837b5ce6619dd0ae.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jnet](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/jnet/32/5379_2.png) [@jnet](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/jnet)\ **Post date:** [10 September 2023 05:48 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/18 "2023-09-10T05:48:49Z")
Here are some scenic ones: (And the obligatory buttertarts! 🥧) ![IMG_4077](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/3/3d0034f67c2baa47311b073d11f1b61076a3dcd3.jpeg) ![IMG_4235](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/a/aac230832a404fdaeb5b418b5857394b4b4c1aac.jpeg) ![IMG_4224](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/waterloocyclingclub/original/2X/7/75780209495e71282e61cae5577a1f58eef5c11f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![SteveSh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/stevesh/32/292_2.png) [@SteveSh](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/u/SteveSh)\ **Post date:** [10 September 2023 15:56 UTC](https://forum.waterloocyclingclub.ca/t/bikes-and-blues-festival-september-9-2023-belwood/4969/19 "2023-09-10T15:56:37Z")
Great photos Janette! And great to meet you. Thanks for riding with the faster folks. I stuck near the back of the 45 km group and had some slower but strong-minded riders who had smiles the whole ride! Steve