Great Lakes - Cycling in Ann Arbor

I might be visiting Ann Arbor this Friday and was thinking of bringing my bike down in the afternoon and doing some scenic cycling for a couple of hours. What are some of my choices that are not too hard to find?

I ran the Dexter-AA half marathon last year along Huron River Drive and thought that would be a really nice route to take, but isn't part of that under construction right now? Any tips for roads and routes would be appreciated (and the less traffic the better, if that's possible in AA).

Stop at an Ann Arbor bike shop. There is a metro Ann Arbor bike map they sell for two bucks. / My first response would be to ride out Huron River drive. Head thru Dexter and Chelsea area. South thru Manchester and back to Ann Arbor. Wish I had that map, it would give you specific routes you could use that would be the safer route.

Stop at an Ann Arbor bike shop.

Thanks for the tip. I'm most familiar with AA when I come in on US-23 to M-14 to the Huron Drive/Main St. exit. What's the nearest bike shop from there? Is there one along Main or in the northern downtown area?

Doug. There is one just off the central campus , near Barnes and Noble and the Michigan theater. Only one I can think of downtown. / The one's I normally use are Two wheels tango on Packard near Carpenter and Wheels in Motion on Washtenaw Ave near US 23. Sorry, only live there part of the year. / Excellant stores and I know they carry the maps. Probably Great Lakes Cyclery carries the maps out on Stadium, But I have never used them. Want some tips on AA cycling. Call the AA Touring Society. Great group I am told. They have a website.

Thanks for the tip. I'm most familiar with AA when I come in on US-23 to M-14 to the Huron Drive/Main St. exit. What's the nearest bike shop from there? Is there one along Main or in the northern downtown area?

and yes. A good idea to choose wisely the best bike routes. Some cyclists stray onto narrow roads. I unfortunately have heard of some fatalities as a result. Enjoy western Washtenaw county, it is hilly and great cycling.

and yes. A good idea to choose wisely the best bike routes. Some cyclists stray onto narrow roads. I unfortunately have heard of some fatalities as a result. Enjoy western Washtenaw county, it is hilly and great cycling.

Doug, I would second checking out the bike shops, but be sure to phone first and verify they have teh map, and get the name of the person who said they do. I have wasted a lot of time and gas dealing with certain of the Ann Arbor shops. Generally the best ones are Two Wheel Tango on East Packard, Wheels in Motion on east Washtenaw, Great Lakes on west Stadium, and Ann Arbor Cyclery (new owners) on Packard. Between them you should be able to get the map. Also look on Map My Ride.

My favorite ride from the west side is now a problem. Up to Huron River Drive starting on 7th, west on HRD to Dexter then continue on Dexter-Chelsea Road to Chelsea. Return to Dexter on Dexter Chelsea Road. Now normally I would return to AA on Huron River Drive, but the surface is deteriorating so badly in some areas that it is dangerous to ride on and dangerous to take a different area of the lane (thre really isn't one!). Instead I usually do Dexter Ann Arbor Road back into Ann Arbor, but it is faster for cars and a bit narrower for us, so inherently a bit less safe.

There is a newer shop on north Main, Ride Boutique. They are very high-end, cloned seemingly after the famous tony Manhattan shop with a lounge and espresso machines. They may have a map, it's best to check it out by phone. Generally I haven't found much there of practical use, however, given I don't want such a high-end new bike.

I wish I was off this Friday, I could ride with you!

Road Fan.

ps: pm me if you want more information.

I know for a fact that Ann Arbor Cyclery has the A2 bike maps (1200 Packard) because I work there. I can't speak for the rest of the shops if they still have any. I wouldn't expect Ride to have anything but an attitude! There are two shops in the downtown/campus area, Student bike shop, but please do not go there for anything. They are the biggest ripoff and completely incompetent.

Another option would be on the east side riding Plymouth road east to Plymouth and back. The road has some bad spots up until Ford road, and then nice newer pavement with a big shoulder the majority of the way.

I am sure redxj hails from a fine shop. Every time I have been in Two Wheels Tango, they have had maps/ I have heard The Ann Arbor Touring Society is enormous. Maybe 1000 members. If you want a ride partner contact them. I think some of their members ride almost every day, during the Summer months.

I know for a fact that Ann Arbor Cyclery has the A2 bike maps (1200 Packard) because I work there. I can't speak for the rest of the shops if they still have any. I wouldn't expect Ride to have anything but an attitude! There are two shops in the downtown/campus area, Student bike shop, but please do not go there for anything. They are the biggest ripoff and completely incompetent.

Another option would be on the east side riding Plymouth road east to Plymouth and back. The road has some bad spots up until Ford road, and then nice newer pavement with a big shoulder the majority of the way.

just my two cents...

my experience with Ride Boutique have all been great! the staff have been VERY nice...good advice...and have just talked bikes with me for literally 1-2 hours at a time. they carry some really nice labels...Guru, Serotta, Parlee, Waterford, Seven, Titus, Ridley, Niner. I think they also carry Bianchi, Blue, Look, and Gunnar which are not advertised on their site...at least, they used to carry those labels.

but i gotta say, my favorite shop by far is two wheel tango...just the best customer service!!!!