TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Hospital regrets to announce that the eighth annual Tour de Grace has been cancelled due to safety concerns. Two large sections (Pike’s Falls Road in Jamaica and West River Trail in Townshend) of the 19-mile mostly-downhill route from Stratton Mountain to Grace Cottage Hospital were damaged during Tropical Storm Irene and will not be reopened to the public by the date of the event, July 14, 2012,

Many alternate routes were proposed and explored this spring, but due to their steeper terrain, higher vehicular traffic speed and volume, and many instances of narrow or non-existent shoulders, they pose a potential safety hazard for the groups of families and friends of all ages who participate in this ride. In keeping with Grace Cottage Hospital’s mission “Excellence in healthcare and well being, putting people first”, safety trumps all other considerations.

Grace Cottage Hospital would like to thank the Tour de Grace sponsors: BB Landscaping, C&S Wholesale Grocers, D&K’s Market, Equipe Sport Ltd., Howard Printing, Inc., Solstice Condominium Owners’ Association, Stratton Resort, Stratton Village Square Shops, and Three Mountain Inn.

To view a short slide show of the Tour de Grace from past rides, go to www.gracecottage.org. Plan on joining us for the annual fun, family-friendly Tour de Grace bicycle ride in 2013!

Call Grace Cottage Foundation at (802) 365-9109 for more information.