Kemble Rock 100 Populaire

Route Logistics

• Total Distance: ~100 km
• Format: Out-and-Back Loop (Central Hub: Owen Sound)
• Terrain: Rolling, rhythmic topography across Grey and Bruce Counties, capped with a scenic escarpment ridge line.
• Surface: 100% Paved asphalt.

This 100km populaire is sanctioned by Les Randonneurs Mondiaux. While it is a shorter distance event, it provides a fantastic opportunity to experience randonneuring logistics or a fast-paced day in the saddle alongside club members tackling longer distances. See below for other rides available in this series.

About the ride

Welcome to the Kemble Rock 100 Populaire! Running on the exact same day as the Kemble Rock 200 brevet, this route is beautifully tailored for riders who want to experience the striking, dramatic geography of the region without the ultra-endurance commitment of a full brevet. Historically running out of Port Elgin, we have shifted the central hub to the vibrant port city of Owen Sound, starting and finishing right at the local Tim Hortons. This centralized location offers ample day parking and an energetic, unified start with the 200 km pack.

The route traces an elegant, counter-clockwise out-and-back shape. You'll spin away from the shores of Georgian Bay, dive south into rolling agricultural heartlands to hit your turnaround control, and return via the breathtaking coastal ridges of the Niagara Escarpment.

The Journey Breakdown

Owen Sound to Chesley (0 km – 56 km) Rolling out from the Tim Hortons in Owen Sound, you will share the road with the 200 km brevet riders as you push south, climbing steadily out of the sound basin. The route sweeps into the quiet, pastoral heartland of Grey County, where the morning air is crisp and the vistas extend across massive heritage farmlands and dense woodlots. You will easily find a steady pedaling rhythm on these smooth secondary country roads as the route crosses into Bruce County. Your turnaround control rests in the welcoming town of Chesley at the Chesley Arena, offering an ideal oasis with washroom access and covered picnic pavilions to stretch your legs.

Chesley back to Owen Sound (56 km – 100 km) After logging your control passage in Chesley, you will loop northward to begin an unforgettable return journey to the sound. The final quadrant of this Populaire delivers the true crown jewel of the day's scenery. The route carries you up along the high, rugged spine of the Niagara Escarpment, tracing the rolling ridges through the historic Kemble area. Keep your eyes sharp to the right for spectacular, high-altitude panoramic views of the deep blue waters of Georgian Bay. A fast, winding descent drops you right back down into the Owen Sound basin for a triumphant finish where your day began.