Griddlecake 1000 2026

## Route Logistics - Total Distance: ~1,000 km - Format: 3-Loop Cloverleaf (Central Hub: Chatham) - Terrain: Predominantly flat with gently rolling sections in the Huron and Elgin uplands. - Surface: Fast-rolling paved roads with minimal unpaved sections. This ACP 1,000km brevet can be used as a pre-qualification event for Paris-Brest-Paris 2027. It runs as three legs with a hub at the Comfort Inn in Chatham, ON. See below for other rides in the Waffle series. ## About the Ride ### Petal 1: The Eastern Lake Erie Loop The first petal heads east from Chatham, venturing deep into the agricultural heartland and along the scenic bluffs of Lake Erie. Riders travel through Glencoe and St. Thomas (look for the Jumbo the Elephant statue) before reaching the coast. Highlights include the coastal views at Port Stanley and Port Burwell, where the HMCS Ojibway submarine is a prominent landmark visible from the route. The loop returns through Wallacetown, with a stop at the Tall Tales Cafe. ### Petal 2: The Northern Blue Water Loop The second petal turns north toward the southern shores of Lake Huron and the international border waterways. This leg takes riders to the sandy beaches of Grand Bend. From there, the route heads west to Sarnia and follows the St. Clair River Parkway. Enjoy riding alongside massive Great Lakes freighters on the St. Clair River before heading south through the "Glass Town" of Wallaceburg and the historic oil town of Petrolia. ### Petal 3: The Western Essex Loop The final petal heads west into the lush "Banana Belt" of Ontario, exploring the southernmost reaches of Canada. The path follows the shoreline of Lake St. Clair through Lighthouse Cove and Tecumseh before cutting south to Lasalle. Riders trace the Lake Erie shoreline through Colchester and Kingsville, with a primary control at the famous Colasanti's Tropical Gardens. The journey concludes by winding back through the lowlands to Chatham to complete the 1,000 km challenge. ## The rest