  Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2247 Registered: 05-2005 |
www.tour-de-troit.org 40-mile ride at a leisurely pace of 10 to 12 miles per hour with a rest stop at the Northwest Activities Center. The ride will proceed through Downtown, Eastern Market, Brush Park, Boston-Edison, University District, Palmer Park, Old Redford and Grandmont-Rosedale. Ride begins and ends at Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central Station. On-site registration runs from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. We ride at 10:00 Join us for music, food and drinks after the ride in Roosevelt Park from 2 to 6 p.m. The Tour de Troit is intended to raise awareness of biking as a mode of transportation; publicize the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan; and to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance of the Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink, a project of the Greater Corktown Development Corporation. The Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink is a series of bike lanes and pedestrian paths that connect Corktown and Mexicantown to each other and to the Detroit River, specifically the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's vision for the West Riverfront. $25 $15 STUDENT Register prior to September 13 for a tee-shirt and the ability to pick up your registration packet ahead of time! Pre-registration and more information available at www.tour-de-troit.org SAG-supported and police-escorted. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY (Message edited by gravitymachine on August 21, 2008) | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2255 Registered: 05-2005 |
man, this forum moves a lot faster these days...gte back up there we had 600+ people on the ride last year, lets see if we can beat that | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 1999 Registered: 11-2003 |
Its a lot of fun... I signed up already! Still hoping the DeqCut can be a part of it this year. | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 1968 Registered: 07-2007 |
Will they arrest me if I ride my bike in the street and wear no helmet? | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2005 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have a spare helmet if you need one. | ||
Umbound Member Username: Umbound Post Number: 228 Registered: 02-2008 |
what type of bike is preferred? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2275 Registered: 05-2005 |
quote: any kind. mountain, road, recumbant bmx (its been done), comfort, hybrid, fixie, ... this is a relatively slow ride on city streets, anything will do | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2028 Registered: 11-2003 |
12 mph, mas o menos | ||
Dannaroo Member Username: Dannaroo Post Number: 208 Registered: 05-2006 |
Last year the average pace was a bit faster than 12 mph (at least closer to the front where I was). I clocked it at about 15 mph. Anyway, I hope to be there again this year... if I can find a bicycle. I sold my previous bicycle last month and have yet to replace it. I've been there the past three years and had a great time at each! | ||
Crystal Member Username: Crystal Post Number: 275 Registered: 05-2007 |
I agree that the pace last year was not 12 mph. It was 15+ mph, and those in the back half were scolded by the leaders to ride faster. We brought some family members who would have been comfortable riding at 10-12 mph, but were not able to keep up with 15 mph. We broke off from the main group so we could remain with the slower family members. That said, it is a great ride, and the police escort did a great job as well. Sign up in advance if you can, eat a good breakfast, and don't forget sun block! | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2285 Registered: 05-2005 |
quote: sorry you had a less than ideal experience last year, this was defintiely not the intent and we're going to try to make sure we stay closer to the advertised pace and that the "sweepers" will be a little more accomodating.  | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2036 Registered: 11-2003 |
I guess I have to add my voice to the speed issue. Yes, it was faster than 12mph for the past two years, even though we posted about it before last year's event. We did get yelled at by "sweepers" and my wife will probably not go with me this year. I can see that a sweeper should keep people moving but yelling that they arent going fast enough when they are going 12 is over the top. Yes, I know the speed varies and we were lectured about that here last year, also... but if the people in the front keep it to 12mph, then at least the average will end up being 12. I am hoping that those in the front will quell their excitement and keep it at 12mph. I know thats "slow" for people who ride all the time, but its a different kind of ride. If there is anything I can do to help as a participant, just let me know. Then I can tell my wife its cool to ride again next year. I feel guilty criticizing, but the ride is great and adjusting the speed will make it perfect. Speed demons can join me at the BWR. | ||
Crystal Member Username: Crystal Post Number: 276 Registered: 05-2007 |
Thanks, Gravitymachine! The best part is that the other family members were not discouraged by their experience last year. On the contrary, they have gone with us on some of the Detroit Synergy rides, and are looking forward to this year's Tour de Troit. We are very happy that Detroit drivers, pedestrians, and police are so aware of and understanding of cyclists in general. The same cannot be said for some of the suburbs! | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2040 Registered: 11-2003 |
Which ones? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2292 Registered: 05-2005 |
pre-registration and the free t-shirt deal ends THIS friday, sept 12th!! www.tour-de-troit.org | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2298 Registered: 05-2005 |
LAST DAY TO PRE_REG IS TODAY! | ||
Dday Member Username: Dday Post Number: 915 Registered: 10-2003 |
Looking for someone to put up three wayward souls from Ohio for the ride...bump (Message edited by D-Day on September 13, 2008) | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 677 Registered: 06-2005 |
Actually the last day to pre-register is next Friday. The problem is the on-line registration may not be working for everyone today. You can try deleting any Active.com cookies on your computer if you do have problems. We're trying to get this corrected with Active.com. | ||
Fishtoes2000 Member Username: Fishtoes2000 Post Number: 678 Registered: 06-2005 |
Another option is to call or stop by the Wheelhouse today until 5pm. Their phone number is 313.656.BIKE (2453). | ||
Bragaboutme Member Username: Bragaboutme Post Number: 518 Registered: 02-2008 |
Ok if I show up Saturday with my 25.00 do I still get a T-shirt? | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 2098 Registered: 11-2003 |
"Our remaining ride T-Shirts will be available for purchase for $15 at the post-ride party - join us for great food, drink, music, and conversation!" | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2314 Registered: 05-2005 |
the number of remaining t-shirts will be extremely limited! sign up early next time (Message edited by gravitymachine on September 18, 2008) | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2316 Registered: 05-2005 |
info on pre-event packet pick-up quote: | ||
Bike4beer Member Username: Bike4beer Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2008 |
Looking forward to the ride in the morning. I pre-registered this year after missing out last year because they closed registration. Anyone know what the roads are like this year? | ||
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal Post Number: 1362 Registered: 09-2004 |
Just got back. My first Tour de Troit. It was a blast. My group had alot of fun, and we're not bicycle enthusiasts. As a matter of fact, I rented my bike last night at the Wheelhouse. If you are in moderately good shape, you can finish this ride. Keep that in mind for next year! | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 1817 Registered: 11-2004 |
Excellent ride, yet again. Yesterday was the first I have been able to go since 2005, and I was quite impressed. I was also pleased to see that it had a different route this year, and such a high turnout. Anyone know how many people participated? I kept hearing the number 1,500 being throw around during the ride. Is there any truth to that rumor? | ||
Lowell Moderator Username: Lowell Post Number: 5033 Registered: 07-2008 |
I got stood still in traffic on my way to a Belle Isle handball tournament, so I took the opportunity to take these pictures along Gratiot of some of the [my guess] over a thousand bicyclists to pass by. It was obviously a huge success. Congrats to those who put it together.    | ||
Wazootyman Member Username: Wazootyman Post Number: 388 Registered: 02-2006 |
My fiancee and I went for the first time, and we're already looking forward to next year. I'm kind of hit-or-miss on the various events that land in my Detroit Synergy email box on a weekly basis, but when I saw the opportunity to take a 39 mile bike tour through the city, I couldn't resist. My fiancee and I aren't hardcore bikers - in fact, beyond my occasional rides through Hines Park I rarely get out. But, after a little investment at the local bike shop and a lot of luck, we were ready for the trip. My highest complements go to the event organizers and the DPD - and in a way to many of the Detroit residents themselves. Some highlights: - I've never really seen some of the great neighborhoods of Detroit beyond Indian Village...but I'm left with quite a lasting, postive impression after seeing Boston Edison, Grandmont-Rosedale, Palmer Woods, etc. - The Detroit Police did an excellent job of ensuring that cross-traffic didn't interfere with the event, often playing "leapfrog" alongside the bikers at intersections. They also seemed to be genuinely enjoying the event. At one point my fiancee complimented an officer on the great job he was doing, to which he replied "Thank you, ma'am, you are too!". I was especially proud to see just about everyone in the tour yell "thank you" to a group of officers near the finish as we passed by. - For such a casual event (not a marathon or race), the residents in just about every neighborhood were thrilled to see us pass. It was like a parade to the kids and adults. Some cheered, some clapped, one guy even said "if I knew you were coming I would have had water set out for you!" Not that I thought any different, but Detroiters are genuinely good and kind people, despite what the negative national attention suggests. - The northwest activities center - the breakpoint between the first and second leg of the trip - is a gem of a facility. We stopped there for carbs, drinks and a bathroom break at around noon. - We didn't stick around for the end party (with free beer, BBQ and water), but it looked to be a great time. Unfortunately we were both fairly exhausted, and decided not to wait in the deep line for lunch. It took my last bit of remaining strength to get the bikes loaded onto the top racks of my car. If I could complain about anything, it would be the long lines for registration and food at the end. But that's a minor complaint, really. | ||
Dday Member Username: Dday Post Number: 919 Registered: 10-2003 |
Un-freakin'-believable! Over 1000 riders!! What a far cry from the 50 or so we had in 2002 at the 1st annual Tour de Troit. Half of whom came from Canada. It seems that the current organizers are well on their way to fulfilling our initial vision for what the ride should be. I can't begin to express my gratitude to them for carrying the torch once it was passed to them. I wasn't able to make it this year (Hurricane Ike did a number on my house here in OH) but I will be there next year. Kudos to all who have grown the ride to what it is now and those helped and volunteered to pull it off this year. I know from experience that it is not an easy thing. Once again, I am simply amazed. Will there be links to more pictures?? | ||
Dday Member Username: Dday Post Number: 920 Registered: 10-2003 |
A quick quote from the first year's tour... Rider to me: "How'd you get the police escort?" Me: "I just asked." Believe it or not, but I have been told by officers in the escort that the DPD really enjoys supporting the ride and that they look forward to it. Many thanks should go out to them, too. Was SGT Petty still in charge of the escort? (Message edited by D-day on October 01, 2008) | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 2332 Registered: 05-2005 |
dday, yes he is still involved, and its great to have DPD's support, many thanks indeed. but like any privately organized event requiring police services in the city, it ain't free by a long shot |
