Great Lakes - riding in Ann Arbor

I'll be in Ann Arbor for the SCS youth National climbing competition at Planet Rock gym the weekend of July 6 - 9. I'll have some downtime when the kids aren't climbing. Is it worth it to drag my bike along? Any nice trails, interesting things in that area I can check out?

I haven't gotten involved in any of the local clubs (yet?), am new to biking. Though here are some links that might help you find something interesting to do:

http://wbwc.org/links.shtml

Its always fun to ride around downtown too, lots of cool shops, cafes and restaurants and bars to check out.

The Huron River Greenway is a nice ride, lots of scenery. Look for the "yellow dots" on the map, per the legend.


http://www.a2gov.org/CommunityServices/Parks/images/bike.pdf

EDIT: that map is kind of crappy, looks like they scanned it in with low resolution :( But you can make out some of the street names. I have one that I picked up at the recreation center.

Thanks, found that map on line. I'll probably stop at a shop and spend the $2 on one.

Thanks, found that map on line. I'll probably stop at a shop and spend the $2 on one.

You might be able to get it for free. I got mine here:

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/mlm/pr_pkcrc.html

It had the $2.00 price blacked out. Shops might charge for them, not sure.

I think you'll enjoy biking in Ann Arbor, its bike friendly for a Midwestern town (got a bronze star for cycling on the national level). Definitely the way to go, if you want to go downtown. There are plenty of bike racks, signs, and parking meters to lock up on. Trying to find parking downtown for a car is a pain in the ass, and expensive!

If you check out that Huron River Greenway MUP, there is free parking where it starts off at Whitmore Lake Rd/Barton Rd.

Great Lakes Cycling doesn't charge for them.. the shops get them for free, so it's up to them.

You actually missed an alleycat on the 7th, it was pretty intense.. but only about 20 people showed up. As for riding on the road, Huron River Drive is a local favorite, although the pavement isn't the best and there's no shoulder. Most cars, though, know to look for cyclists. If you head West from the city or from Barton Park, it's about 8-10 miles to Dexter, and you can continue to Chelsea or Pinckney, with some very nice rides. Sorry the weather's so hot, though!

The place I was staying was on W. Washington. Ended up riding the the greenway betw Fuller and Bandemer parks and did a nice ride up Whitmore lake rd to Whitmore Lk a couple times. That was a nice ride, long climb early, smooth pavement, good shoulder, and 30+MPH on the hill back down. Bounced around downtown a few times scouting restaraunts, checking things out, Farmers mrkt, etc too. More hills in that area than expected, lots of narrow, no parking lane roads, but all and all had some decent riding with the little time I had and the hot weather - went out mornings or after dark. Map was worth the $2 even for driving. Drove Huron River dr, 10-4 on the pounded pavement.