Great Lakes - Wolverine 200- I quit.

Its been 8 years that I've done this ride. I started when I was 12. As many of you know, it used to be a 24 hour ride as much or as little as you feel like ride around Bell Isle. Its supposed to be a camp on the island for the weekend event, but last year, and again this year, they are making it a 12 hour event with friday night camping only instead of a full weekend affair.

Its petty bull****, and I won't go for it. My family and friends have decided that this year rather than go to the 200 (or should I call it the 100?), we will be going to the string of 3 metro parks in southern Michigan linked together by a nice and long cement path, and we'll camp there and ride all weekend. As sad as it makes me to quit going, I feel I have no choice. This 12 hour business just doesn't cut it.

Its been 8 years that I've done this ride. I started when I was 12. As many of you know, it used to be a 24 hour ride as much or as little as you feel like ride around Bell Isle. Its supposed to be a camp on the island for the weekend event, but last year, and again this year, they are making it a 12 hour event with friday night camping only instead of a full weekend affair.

Its petty bull****, and I won't go for it. My family and friends have decided that this year rather than go to the 200 (or should I call it the 100?), we will be going to the string of 3 metro parks in southern Michigan linked together by a nice and long cement path, and we'll camp there and ride all weekend. As sad as it makes me to quit going, I feel I have no choice. This 12 hour business just doesn't cut it.
I could have sworn last year you started a thread on how you would never ride in Detroit and do the Wolverine 200 because Detroit is too dangerous.

I am 99.999999999 percent sure of this.

I ride in Detroit with the wolverines, and used to go on the 200 yearly. You probably remember me being hesitant to ride with Caadman, but I do now. Its a fun ride.

Well congrats, riding in Detroit, is one of my favorites.

Well congrats, riding in Detroit, is one of my favorites.

Mine too. Thats why its sad they are killing the event.

we will be going to the string of 3 metro parks in southern Michigan linked together by a nice and long cement path, and we'll camp there and ride all weekend.

I'm always looking for places within a few hours driving distance from SW Ohio. This sounds like a good place to plan a bike trip with the grandkids. We've done many in Ohio and a few in PA but have never ventured into Michigan. Is there a website I can get more information?

I'm always looking for places within a few hours driving distance from SW Ohio. This sounds like a good place to plan a bike trip with the grandkids. We've done many in Ohio and a few in PA but have never ventured into Michigan. Is there a website I can get more information?

Fabulous idea!

Here is a good site: http://www.traillink.com/TL_Active_Pages/TrailSearch/default.asp

Michigan has more rail trails than any other state in the country. Great place for a ride.

Belle Isle is cool. albino deer. the oldest aquarium in the country too, eh?

Rant time: They relocated the deer. Detroit's mayor Kwame Kilpatric (one of the worst mayors on the planet, if he was caught doing some of the stuff he's done he would go to prison for life) decided to remove the deer, shut down the zoo, and shut down the aquarium. Too white people oriented for his tastes. He really is a horrible person. Some of the things he has done are common knoledge around here, but he has connections and more or less owns the police. I'd love to spread internet rumors about him, but I won't.

I could have sworn last year you started a thread on how you would never ride in Detroit and do the Wolverine 200 because Detroit is too dangerous.

I am 99.999999999 percent sure of this.

Ih8lucky13,

You have a very good memory. He was very adamant about avoiding Detroit.

Rant time: They relocated the deer. Detroit's mayor Kwame Kilpatric (one of the worst mayors on the planet, if he was caught doing some of the stuff he's done he would go to prison for life) decided to remove the deer, shut down the zoo, and shut down the aquarium. Too white people oriented for his tastes. He really is a horrible person. Some of the things he has done are common knoledge around here, but he has connections and more or less owns the police. I'd love to spread internet rumors about him, but I won't.


That is about the LAMEST thing i've heard about Detroit in a while. I was just there a couple of years ago, but in winter, so didn't do Belle Isle. Wow. pathetic. And Detroit doesn't have much going for it downtown anymore, unless you count the casino.....wow.

Ih8lucky13,

You have a very good memory. He was very adamant about avoiding Detroit.

You have a good memory too. You guys showed me the error of my ways. Thank you. Although, I must say, I didn't see you on too many of the Bell Isle rides with Caadman.

Hi Mich!! *waves* Rilya!!

That's all. *shrugs*

I don't see why converting it to a 12 hour event from a 24 hour event is killing the ride. I did the ride last year and was 1 of only 4 riders who completed the ride in the 12 hour limit. What I did see was a bunch of pansies who rode only 100 miles and went home. The other interesting fact is that the 4 riders who completed the 200 miles were all on recumbents. I believe the nearest roadbiker to completing the 200 miles only did 168 miles. To me it is a greater challenge to have less time to complete the mileage. 24 hours to go 200 miles is ridiculous. I predict that this year again, only recumbents will complete the total distance.

... we will be going to the string of 3 metro parks in southern Michigan linked together by a nice and long cement path, and we'll camp there and ride all weekend.

That sounds like a very interesting path ... a long cement path that links 3 metro parks? What are these three metro parks that are linked by a cement path? And how long is this path that would justify camping during the ride through the 3 metroparks?

How can I get more info about the path that links these 3 metro parks?

That sounds like a very interesting path ... a long cement path that links 3 metro parks? What are these three metro parks that are linked by a cement path? And how long is this path that would justify camping during the ride through the 3 metroparks?

How can I get more info about the path that links these 3 metro parks?

Motor, I sent you info about those a while back. It's Lower Huron Metro Park, Willow Metro Park, and Oakwoods Metro Park, in order from north to south. A bit farther down you'll find Lake Erie Metro Park, which is on Lake Erie.

From time to time I do all three parks after work - flat and smooth!

Road Fan

Motor, I sent you info about those a while back. It's Lower Huron Metro Park, Willow Metro Park, and Oakwoods Metro Park, in order from north to south. A bit farther down you'll find Lake Erie Metro Park, which is on Lake Erie.

From time to time I do all three parks after work - flat and smooth!

Road Fan
Thanks Road Fan. Is there a name for the cement path that links Lower Huron, Willow, and Oakwoods? Is there a recommended method for doing a round trip? I live in Melvindale, so where best to park and round trip the three metroparks and end the round trip where I parked at?

And how to get a map of the cement path that links the three metroparks?

Thanks Road Fan. Is there a name for the cement path that links Lower Huron, Willow, and Oakwoods? Is there a recommended method for doing a round trip? I live in Melvindale, so where best to park and round trip the three metroparks and end the round trip where I parked at?

And how to get a map of the cement path that links the three metroparks?

The Metroparks commission publishes a map that contains all of the parks, and it's an excellent comprehensive map of SE Michigan as well. It does not do a great job of showing all the MUPs, however.
I get the map at work, we have a kiosk of recreational leaflets and travel guides and that map is usually on that.

I start at the north entrance to Lower Huron, go south until I reach the non-biking nature trail in Oakwoods, then retrace. It's about 30 mi. To get to this entrance, take 94 west to Haggerty, then go south. Haggerty ends at the park entrance, follow the signs. You'll need to pay the entrance fee at the park. I park in the first parking lot.

I can meet you and show you the path if you wanted to ride after work. Regrettably the map is not good enough (as good as it is!) to show all the potential routing options.

Also, the Downriver club has several weeknight rides here, they might have better route instructions on their site. They tend to meet farther south.

Road Fan

Great information Road Fan. If it's okay, you could show me the path in a couple of months, so I don't slow you down while recuperating from an ankle injury. You could show me the Metroparks Commission map and any recreational leaflets that pertain to biking.

Because the MUP morphs into a non-biking trail (how long is trail?), what kind of tires do you usually ride on for this 3-park ride? I have one bike that has 700C-25mm tires and another bike that has 650B-33m tires, so which would be better for a 30-mile ride on this MUP?

Great information Road Fan. If it's okay, you could show me the path in a couple of months, so I don't slow you down while recuperating from an ankle injury. You could show me the Metroparks Commission map and any recreational leaflets that pertain to biking.

Because the MUP morphs into a non-biking trail (how long is trail?), what kind of tires do you usually ride on for this 3-park ride? I have one bike that has 700C-25mm tires and another bike that has 650B-33m tires, so which would be better for a 30-mile ride on this MUP?

The non-biking trail is marked as a nature walk, no cycling permitted. I don't ride past the startign point. For the rest fo the path I use 21 mm tubulars - works a treat!

Send me private mail when you want to get together, Motorrad!

Road Fan
Ann Arbor

Okie Doke. See you in a couple of podiatry visits from now.