Sunday, February 16th, 2025

Cycle for Sight has partnered with Creemore Springs Brewery to bring one of its national rides to the village on June 24.

Cycle for Sight is a challenging, one-day ride in support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the largest charity funding sight-saving research in Canada, serving one million Canadians living with vision loss by advancing retinal disease research, education, and public awareness.

The event is taking place in five Canadian cities this summer, raising more than $3.7 million to support research for cures and treatments for retinal diseases including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Cyclists will be joined by event ambassador John Tomassino.

An avid cyclist, Tomassino has been a Cycle for Sight participant since 2009, and has personally raised over $10,000 for vision research. He lives with retinitis pigmentosa, a blinding eye disease that there is currently no cure for and rides because he is hopeful for a future without blindness. Like many of the cyclists who participate in this annual one-day ride, John will be cycling with a sighted pilot on a tandem bike.

“Tandem cycling is a real thrill in so many ways,” he said, adding, “the freedom of the ride is an experience that everyone should try.”

Events began on the west coast on June 3 and Ottawa on June 4. Later this summer, events will be held in Newfoundland on July 30 and Alberta on Sept. 9.

Hundreds of sighted, low vision, and non-sighted riders are taking part in three rides: The 140km and 100km rides begin at 8 a.m. and the 50km riders start at 10:30 a.m., all from the brewery.

Mill Street will be closed from Elizabeth Street to Edward Street from 5:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Since 1974, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has invested over $30 million to support Canadian vision research to understand, preserve, and restore sight.

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