Riding through Detroit
Though I have lived in Boston for many years, I’m a native of Detroit City Proper, East Side near the City Airport and most of the family is now in Macomb and Oakland Counties. I visit a couple times a year with my bike. It was nostalgic to read these descriptions of riding there, and accurate IMO.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
...Back in the 60’s in the Motor City, I had an “English Racer,’ and longed to tour at about age 14, but then joined the car culture. In Ann Arbor MI in the 70’s I really realized the utility of bicycles for commuting, and began touring on a five-speed Schwinn Suburban, but soon bought a Mercier as did my girlfriend, later my wife. We toured in Michigan and Ontario.
In 1977 we moved to Boston on our bikes, as a bicycling honeymoon from Los Angeles to Washington, DC and then took the train up to Boston...
In particular,
Originally Posted by
Silverexpress
…You also need to include Belle Isle.It is now run by the DNR (State of MI), and is very well managed and safe. Do the entire perimeter if you have the energy.
We use to have a 200-mile cycling marathon there - The Wolverine 200. It was the only time they permitted camping overnight. Don't know if it is still going on.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
My first century, actually a double, was in 1971. The Wolverine Sports Club puts on an annual double century on Belle Isle, an island park in the Detroit River with a five mile perimeter, so the 24 hour double century is 40 laps. It’s totally flat and you are obviously always in the company of lots of other cyclists. As I recall,at that time at least, it was the only time camping was allowed on the island so it was a festive affair. My roommate and I decided to do it, with no training, and me on my Schwinn Suburban and he on his Varsity.
After a few laps into the ride, at the main gate, a rider on a penny-farthing was dismounting, fell, and taco’ed my wheel. I don’t think he even apologized. My mother was able to go buy me a new wheel and drove through the traffic maze to the island, which was obviously congested by all the riders, and delivered a new one in about three hours, so I did finish. At the end, I remember my roommate commented that his then-favorite star, Joey Heatherton, could appear in person, and he could care less ;-)
I have been told it has been disbanded.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 01-23-18 at 08:06 AM.