BluesDawg

The Southeast is probably the only area I would even have a chance of being able to make it to a ride. Even then it is hard to say I could manage the time off work and to coordinate with family obligations. But if anything does get planned in this area, I could try. I do know I'll be doing BRAG the week of June 5-12. It will be doing an overnight in my town next year on the way from Atlanta to Savannah.

Louis

I'd be interested in going to Ann Arbor for a 50+ ride(s).

Road Fan

This is exactly why I like the idea! I truly have no idea what the group's riding abilities will be, nor how much variation there could be.

Road Fan

ok!

tsl

In organizing last year's ride, the number one thing people wanted to know was the terrain. Most everyone who inquired--and nearly all who showed--fall into the "slow, easy, and flat" category. The entire Ohio contingent and all the Canadians were all canal path riders by preference. Even the flat, rural backroads took most of them outside their comfort zone.

So maybe if you fleshed things out a little it would help.

So far, all I know is that you're suggesting we join a ride with a Three-Letter Acronym (TLA) that gives bonus patches to the first 1,800 (!) registrants. (For me, that's a deal killer right there. I won't ride with that many people.)

But besides a vague promise of great riding, you haven't told anyone what it's like there. As far as I know, Ann Arbor is a suburb of Detroit. That part doesn't sound very appealing. Maybe you need to show me I'm wrong.

Further, what's the terrain like? Even the TLA ride's web site doesn't tell us that. What are the roads like? Tell us about the hills, the scenery, the traffic, the shoulders. Tell us about where we can stay and eat.

There's a lot more to it than simply saying "Hey, I live in Ann Arbor, it's nice, there's a TLA ride here, and you can use my garage."

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsl

In organizing last year's ride, the number one thing people wanted to know was the terrain. Most everyone who inquired--and nearly all who showed--fall into the "slow, easy, and flat" category. The entire Ohio contingent and all the Canadians were all canal path riders by preference. Even the flat, rural backroads took most of them outside their comfort zone.

Hi tsl,

I’m a Detroit native and I lived in Ann Arbor for four years in college, and IMO, it is a great place to cycle, and in fact that locale started me on my cycling lifestyle. The terrain is flat to at most gently rolling hills, and as I recall, less strenuous that the Finger Lakes Region, maybe much less so. Check out the Ann Arbor Bicycling Touring Society website to see what a well-organized and enthusiastic sponsoring group it is.

Ann Arbor is about forty miles west of downtown Detroit, and while both cities and their suburbs continue to sprawl towards each other, there still is a swath of countryside between those two metropolitan regions. In about 20 minutes on the bike I could be into rural country from downtown AA. That proposed Helluva Ride goes further westward from AA, away from Detroit, into exurban to rural Michigan countryside, as I recall it from the 70's.

Ann Arbor is one of America' premier college towns; small in dimensions, but expansive and cosmopolitan in cultural and social opportunities with an unbelievable array of restaurants, entertainment venues, University (of Michigan) related events, etc. It is especially a fun place in the summer, even though the University is only in summer session. Accommodations are pretty plentiful within relatively small, cycling distances of downtown AA, and via public transportation, though I'm not sure where the ride itself starts. AA is also accessible by Amtrak, I believe, as a spur from Toledo on the Lake Shore Limited (which passes through upstate NY, out of Boston). It's probably one of the most car-free (small) cities in America.

The major differences IMO from the GFLBT is that it is only a one day ride, probably more “rigid” in scheduling than the informality of the GF… Also Ann Arbor itself would be a more distracting venue as described above, than the secluded venue of Watkins Glen, but cycling just from Ann Arbor itself would be great. There’s a college song written by Irving Berlin,

“I want to go back to Michigan
“To dear Ann Arbor town
“Back to Joe’s and the Orient
“Back to some of the money I spent…”

I would also like to cycle some of those roads too. Again, not a commitment but a very favorable inclination.

BTW, to Road Fan, I wonder if to obviate any liability issues of informal rides, the AABTS would be interested in sponsoring some kind of supplementary ride(s) that weekend to host Fifty-Plus visitors and show off the “Harvard (and Cambridge) of the Midwest”? Just a thought.

(My own particular favorites were out Huron River Drive to Dexter, and to Whitmore Lake via Whitmore Lake Road.)

Jim

PS: I know Detroit as the Motor City has taken some hard knocks over the years, but there a longstanding and ever-increasing cycling scene ongoing there, and the city proper is recognized as having an excellent road infrastructure for cycling. A few Olympic cyclists came from there in the 1970’s from the Wolverine Sports Club. I regularly read the Great Lakes Regional Discussion Forum to keep up, and I always take my bike back, year round, to ride when we go to visit family.

DnvrFox

Are there great bicycling trails in Ann Arbor? Critical for my wife, if we came.

rtool

Ann Arbor sounds very good to me, plus it isn, that far from where I live in Southeast Ohio. I also took a look at the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society home page, they have several rides listed throughout the year along with maps. Looks like a real great area to cycle in.

Jim from Boston

Road Fan or other current denizens will know better than I, but I do recall paved MUP's in the 1970's along some major highways, including those connecting the major campuses of the University. Back then I was involved with a civic group promoting curb cuts for sidewalk riding. AA is an interesting town to meander via paths and sidewalks, if one is just out for a leisurely ride.

Road Fan

Extremely frustrated - I just tried to post a lengthy 2 hour response, but BF booted me upon hitting the send button. My text is not recoverable. I don't have more time to spend on this until the evening.

Topics needing additional information
Town paths
Restaurants
The OHR (no apologies)
Lodging
Transportation options
cycle transport options
Terrain
Roads.

TSL, thank you for your constructive input.

What does your TLA stand for, anyway?

Road Fan

City parks have MUPs, and the city has a network of designated bike streets, bike-only lanes (BOLs) and share-the-road arrows (sharrows). That's not to say that all the drivers buy in, we have the same road use/rights issues as anywhere else in the world. I'll have to get you a link, but nothing here compares to the High Line Canal (and associated waterway) network, nor the Lake Shore Trail in Chicago.

Are these paths my choice? Not usually, because in-town I'm either a utility rider or am on my way out of town for a long road ride. But they are good paths, through well-developed city parks, often riverside. It's easy to make them an all-day event. Gallup Park and the Washtenaw Border to Border Trail come particularly to mind.

A thru-the-neighborhoods ride can be really fun, too, on the designated sidestreet routes. There are a lot of great houses to look at, and places for pie. One ride published on the AABTS site, is "The Hills of Ann Arbor." Yes there are some, and I find some of them pretty hard - ymmv.

By the way, all the little towns around AA serve pie, too.

Road Fan

Regarding the liability issue, perhaps someone can fill me in - how was it handled for non-event rides at Finger Lakes? I think there was a cycling club connection for the Finger Lakes Ride, but I guess I really don't know.

I think liability protection was not arranged for the Colorado event, or am I wrong?

What are the planners for Ohio and Eugene thinking as far as that issue goes?

I am willing to inquire at AABTS, but please fill me in on these points first.

Regarding the OHR ride being rigid and regulated, nothing could be farther from the truth, actually riding it is extremely informal. The route is set and marked, and rest/feeding/potty/repair stops are set in place. Local police are engaged to assist with difficult road crossings, and cyclist direction in a few cases. Start times are completely open - there is no mass start. You start when you're ready and end when you're done. You go at your own pace or of course a pace negotiated with your companions. Nobody is checking you into stops, this is NOT A BREVET. It's also not a race, though naturally some people are faster than others and are interested in times - some very fast! There may be 1700 or so riding, but in view there will only ever be a dozen or so. There will not be a peleton.

I usually have the oldest bike that I see.

I have seen very few flat tires being fixed on the roads. I've never had a flat on the rural roads, and I often ride tubulars.

Later I will get into the roads, shoulders, et cetera, but lakes, farms, agriculture, rivers, the occasional penitentiary, rural general stores and eateries, dense huge stands of trees, perhaps some are original. Deer in the road are not unusual. Most of the roads have shoulders, at least 2.5 feet, but some do not. Most are very smooth, but some are not. Organized rides are scheduled on smooth pavement, but nobody seems to be able to keep up with the Road Commissions when they find the need to chip-seal a bunch of roads. Generally when roads get upgreaded, they come out wonderful.

TSL, I suggest you google Ann Arbor and Detroit and do a comparison. I did this for your region before I asked you any questions, especially those that contained negative references. I ask you to do the same.

If anyone wants to come for July 4 weekend, there is usually a major national-level oval-track racing event 60 miles to the east, at teh Bloomer Park Velodrome in Rochester Hills, MI - fo rjust one alternative event.

The Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village in Dearborn (35 miles east) is one of the great museums of the USA - up there with the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and the Science Museum of the British Museum. There's also the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art.

More later - this is kind of "stream of consciousness," but I didn't realize I had to sell so much.

I welcome constructive questions and requests for information, and will try to provide answers.

Jim from Boston

Hey Road Fan,

Thanks for your efforts. TLA is TSL's nickname for a Three Letter Acronym, a play on OHR. (Maybe initialism is the more correct term. )

The visiting riders had to join the Southern Tier Club, the Sponsors, for a minimal fee; and then sign the usual waivers. I presume the AABTS has waivers for the OHR, but I would be leery of inviting people on any informal ride, especially if promoted on a public forum.

Road Fan

Yes, at all my various jobs that acronym was used. Maybe it's "play."

AABTS does indeed have waivers on the ride. I AM wondering what is or was done for the "side rides."

Jim from Boston

On the GFLBT, I believe there were no non-event, or "side rides." There was a single ride of about 18 miles on late Friday afternoon; several rides on Saturday of shorter, medium, and long distances, the last up to 100 miles; and a few Sunday morning-early afternoon rides. I'm pretty sure the waivers were good for all the weekend rides, and under the auspices of the Club.

The entire weekend was focused on a central location for camping and meals, though the mapped rides started from various locations, some at a considerable distance from the campground (26 miles if I recall correctly, or maybe 16). A few BF'ers, myself included, stayed at motels in Watkins Glen, about two miles away, and up a steep hill to the campground.

tsl

My usual online name, brucew (as in brucew.com) was already taken when I joined BikeForums. The next thing that came to mind was TSL, the initials of the company I owned at the time, The Secret Labs. In early 2008 I sold to a larger firm and they dropped the name. The domain has since been purchased by a domain speculator.

billydonn

Ann Arbor seems to be getting a little traction. Hmmm..... I think I could do that. A nice affordable motel that has good access to both MUPs and low traffic roads... does it exist?

Road Fan

That will need some thought - the best low cost motel is on a pretty busy street that has a partial sidepath (and is next door to Trader Joe's!), near Whole Foods and half a dozen restaurants. About a block away one can turn north into the sidestreets of a quiet residential neighborhood with some of the town's better hills. It's not near the start of the OHR, but about 10 minutes pedaling from downtown AA, with excellent coffee and a few brewpubs. About 20 min from my house.

There's another a bit better situated, and with an excellent restaurant, but a lot more $.

In the Major Shopping Mall district, there's a Hampton Inn and an Extended Stay America. These are priced in between the other ones. We also have Red Roof and the other usuals.

A thought, I hope the Ann Arbor Art Fair is not setting up this weekend! That always sucks up the hotel rooms! Will get back on that!

Edit: The Art Fair (outdoor, one of the biggest in the Midwest) will be July 20-23. MIGHT not be a problem!

seenoweevil

Gee whiz Road Fan, why didn't you say that in the first place?! At this point all I can say(with a long sigh) is: I'll start checking mileage, Amtrak schedules, and saving gas money!
Sounds like a great locale so I'm definitely leaning towards the road trip. Hey, gotta stay in contention for "longest distance travelled" category don't I? Besides, I have a $20 bike I need to show off!

Shifty

What I was thinking for Eugene was that if people wanted to gather here and ride together it would be the same as getting together anywhere, everyone take responsibility for themselves. I can suggest some fantastic rides, but I'm not responsible for your health, safety or skill on the bike, that would be ridiculous. What I would help out with is suggesting rides that are common to riders in the area, poll the group to see what the comfort level is and provide directions, maps etc.

If there is any question of my personal liability, then count me out, I wouldn't want to ride with a group like that.

Road Fan

I've heard a rumor that the pie sellers take pity on people who can only afford a $20 bike, and will allow one free slice of pie to such a person. You'll need to show your bill of sale, though.

Road Fan

I think I'm with you on all counts. If there's a BF50+ ride in or near Ann Arbor in addition to the One Helluva Ride, I think individuals are responsible for themselves, as we are in all other bike rides on the public roads.

Road Fan

I don't think Ann Arbor asks riders to become club members. Why was that necessary for the GFLBT?

Consularrider

While I would love the chance to visit and ride in Eugene (wife has family there), the distance is a little too far to manage while I am still working. We also have family in Ypsilanti, so the OHR in AA on July 9, 2011, might be doable for me.

Daspydyr 

I'm a big fan of my neighborhood, the VEGAS VALLEY. When you riders up north have pt up with enough snow and ice this February, we will have some really nice days in the 50s to 60s. The river Mountain Loop with the new bridge crossing Hoover Dam is a nice ride. Red Rocks Canyon is another very nice ride. The off strip casino properties along Boulder Highway have good room rates and $6.99 Prime Rib dinners. $2.99 breakfast. Affordable is what I guess I am saying.

There are also a number of opportunities for riding Mountain bikes out here if that is too your liking, its my preference.

Or if you visit Las Vegas this winter and a StarBucks or Tall cold one is involved, let me know.