Proposed for the corner of 11th Concession Road East and Milburough Line, the quarry sits in the midst of a designated bike route on the border of northeast Flamborough and Campbellville. If approved, it's estimated the plan will see traffic at peak times amounting to 1,140 truck trips per day, the equivalent of one truck every 30 seconds.

"Cyclists don't want to see what will happen if the quarry goes in," said rally organizer Gwen Todd of Carlisle. Chief among the concerns is that the increase in truck traffic will cause health risks to those biking on local roads, including skidding falls on split gravel, breathing problems caused by diesel exhaust and road dust and injury, perhaps even death, from the 38-tonne quarry trucks on rural roads.

To bring more attention to the possible dangers faced by cyclists who regularly travel the Hamilton-Halton roads, members of FORCE (Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment) organize the bike rally on an annual basis. Organizers say the bike route along Milburough Line is a favourite of the cycling community because of its rolling hills and winding roads, all offered with the scenic Niagara Escarpment as a backdrop.

Both the 100K (kilometre) and 50K Tour de Force routes will take cyclists along country roads, up and down the escarpment and past the proposed quarry site. The rides will begin and end at Courtcliffe Park, on Carlisle Road between Hwy. 6 and Centre Road.

Sign-up and bib pick-up times for the 100K ride will be from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. and for the 50K ride, from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.

Advance registration is $25, while the fee on the day of the ride will be $30. Registration will include the ride, a goody bag, Tim Hortons coffee, a Harveys barbecue (hamburger, snack and drink) and a chance to win one of several raffle prizes. The draw will be held during the barbecue at Courtcliffe Park.

Todd said organizers hope to see between 200 and 300 riders at this year's event, adding that although the ride raises some money for the quarry fight, its real purpose is to raise awareness of the issue.

To see the ride routes, learn more about the quarry application or register for the rally, visit www.StopTheQuarry.ca and click on Community Spirit/Calendar of Events.

The event will be held rain or shine.