Bike Detroit

Incredible all day bike ride adventure in Detroit yesterday, from the High Noon to Detroit abloom vegan fest for a tour of the grounds and vegan samples. Special call out to the raw juice lady! From there we visited the new black owned inspired grocery store on Manistique. From there Marshall’s Fox Creek patio where my inner tube failed, 4th in a two year span. Paul made the call for a visit and two’ed

To all of our bike riding friends out there who like adventuring this Saturday tomorrow there’s two cool events going on in the city of Detroit. The vegan fest way out east and the carbon athletic club 77 year anniversary party, (far West side). The CAC is rarely open to the public, it’s definitely worth checking out. We invite everybody to ride in or over and put in the extra miles and hit both of them. Perhaps me and Paul will see you there?

A couple of cool rides over the weekend that put me at 107 Miles from Sunday to Sunday. 4 months ago I did not think it possible. Saturday night about town was cool insomuch of all the micro worlds you can pass through while out exploring. Family Barbeques to all of the E-Bikes whizzing by. Even hard core bikers would be hard pressed to disagree, if you are visiting from out of town and want to see the city at its best. Electric Bikes make sense. Sunday’s annual ride was an awesome adventure. Thanks to Dean, Tim, Paul and Bad Cog I was inspired to join them on belle isle to see and feel the event. My favorite was the Shark Kite flying overhead! After 4 years of nudging, Dean finally decided to stop by and See From there Tim led the group to eastern market for some food, Seeking the extra miles Paul, BC and me headed out Infront of the group and went north over to the final rest stop at From there I wandered a bit as I sought out the +100 mile mark back to .

With Dean and Tim off on vacation Jen lead the ride this evening through the neighborhoods of southwest Detroit and East Dearborn. It sure is fun going through all the neighborhoods and seeing all the kids out playing and even joining us for a while on their own bikes.

It has been a slow summer of riding for me this year, first time in 20 some years. Thanks to Brother Paul I changed my diet and all but eliminate Purines from my food intake and in turn helped heal my swollen right knee. At 5 operations and 100,000 miles of riding I figured the old joint needed replacement, (something I am dreading as they have been suggesting it since my mid 30’s). Anyways if you are suffering with similar pains, I suggest you do some research and change your life. For the last 2-months while on the mend, I have missed visiting and riding with my friends Paul and Bad Cog from the Tuesday night bike rides. Me and Paul had been talking about this one for a while so yesterday we decided to meet up at on Haggerty Road just north of Maple/15-mile. From this location you can head out on the trail both ways either up to Pontiac or Down to South Lyon. It is 15 mile to brewery so oft we went! Some part of this ASPHALT trail looks and felt like it had been paved for 10 + years, (meanwhile here in Detroit…….the overdone concrete B.S. continues on at a snail’s pace). Beer has a ton of Purines in it, so I had not had a sip for the last 2 months as I changed my routines. Yesterday it was different, I had a few with the boys after I earned them with some dripping sweat! On the way back we had two’ed stop at as it sits literally right on the trail! We the knee feeling great, we talked about the Fourth annual ride now planned for August 3rd. Meet at Blue Belle Beach at 9:30 am. Rolling at 10:00

p.s. in all of the excitement I forgot to shut the Strava app off once I put the bike back I the car. Only got 30 by peddle.

Nice ride yesterday for a little community engagement at the carbon athletic club. My arthritic knee is feeling better so I picked up Paul at Downey Brewery and we slid on into the upgraded patio courtyard to witness the great steak cook off and Bad Cog thoroughly enjoyed it.

Had a brief chance to get out yesterday and continue on with my east side explorations. Hard to believe but I found another Champion Oak Tree Circa 1780's? Its sitting on what would have been a stream bank in front of a Victorian era house kind of lost by its garden.

Thanks to Tim Harrisons post from a few weeks back I was inspired to head back in time and meet some friends for another great bike riding adventure yesterday in and We all met up Tecumseh Brewery parking lot to begin our journey. My main man Rocket-ship Toledo Pete and his bike racing daughter Brynn showed along with Paul G. and Perrysburg Brent who had already put in a trail loop earlier in the morning in A2. Brent’s single speed had a rim leak that was not going to get fixed so the 4 of us headed south to Adrian MI. The trail is easy to find and was a joy to ride. What surprised us most was the Raisin River watershed topography Brimming with life and Honeysuckle fragrance. Since our friends from Toledo ride mountain bikes on all of our adventures I thought I would bring the Hulk down from the rafters and ride as they do, sweating heavy it was fun. As we made our way into Historic Downtown Adrian, I was amazed that there were no empty buildings, no rot or type of decay’s. Paul G. spotted so we instantly knew where we were going to stop for a crafty refreshing lemonade (in my case, I’m simply old-fashion). From there Brynn led us out exploring the city taking in a few of the parks that are nestled in between the River Raisin. Soon we were oft headed north back to the parking lot and a cold Brew with wonderful people.

https://www.facebook.com/100064446769388/posts/857996553025229/?mibextid=l2hJJHjNVOBSwHk4

Join the Tour d’Eastside bike ride Saturday June 8th. This 20 mile leisurely ride will explore the neighborhoods of Detroit’s east side.

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/MI/Detroit/TourdEastside

Bag Cog and brother Matt from the Tuesday Night rides were up for another east side adventure, so Friday we all met up at and headed out around 6:15 pm. First it was to on the east side where they took in the sights and sounds of the Fox Creek Patio. From there it was all the way over to the so that they could experience the City of Detroit's Eastern most dive bar. For the boys from you might remember Jolly from the Texas Bar early Sunday morning Cheeseburger Church Ride from 9 years ago? His Lordship was there in full regalia sporting a new scar from his Left Knee replacement! We got back in just enough time for a cold one at Faisan and I even had a chance to stop in and see Mr. Cramps at to chill in the courtyard and enjoy the silence and bright City Lights before heading back to .

Sunsday was beautiful, met some cool cats from east jefferson neighborhood who rode in to They convinced me that a ride over to was in order. Planning on rolling over to the east side Friday from Faisan 6 ish.

season opener was fun last night, Tim Harrison from the switched from his Winter Location and this season, finally convinced Dean to split the ride in two ’ed! He led a faster, (yes it was exercise sweat proves it) group and Dean lead the Slow Rollers AMEN, now with two good options I am sure more folks will attend.

Dearborn is an amazing experience, I really do not know anyone better than Tim when it comes to mapping and traveling the Unlike Birmingham or the spiraling urban spall, the kids were out all playing scooters, bikes, dogs and balls having fun outside. They didn’t need a ride to the mall, they just wanted to ride along with us/all! Maybe modern-day-American Family society would benefit by turning off the “smart” phone head outside to play with kids, maybe even get onto some bike and free yourself from the Drive?

to that’s what’s up^

After 13 years of in-the-know, I have been anxiously waiting for the Joe Louis Greenway trail to be built in its entirety. What I have mostly seen is scatter shot and an underlying base line of “make it up as we go”. The construction challenges are daunting, the illegal dumping and industrial decay and post-World War II abandonment was almost insurmountable, I get it. But doing a little bit here and a little bit over there, seems to waste time and money, more over adversely affect the intended result. For months now the Trail that swizzles North off of Oakman has been poured, that is all but the last 20’ that would effortless allow any bike to turn in. Instead, the city’s go to on collusion, the contractor has been using it as a road for materials, so much for a pristine finish surface, (if you go be prepared to dodge the gravel all over the place). Yesterday after the farming choirs were done, I decided to venture therein. What concerns me most is the storm water aspects of the project. Who is checking or better yet approving the finished elevations? , Anyone? Most of the tract I explored yesterday had the trail sitting way above the adjacent homeowners who will be forced to contend with Climate change in a way they as of yet have never imagined, water flows downhill. There is even a super low spot trap that will surly flood the trail with larger storm events. When winter comes, the up and down freeze thaw action will surly put that Impervious Cement to task. The bigger challenge is how to get across I-96? When they built ‘Freeway’ they took away the railroad easement that once continued North. Building a pedestrian bridge over that freeway will cost too much as it meets it on a sweeping westerly curve. The Original Published Map shows it going straight North, Meanwhile in Toledo………..

https://i0.wp.com/detroitgreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/map-only-final.png?resize=243%2C300&ssl=1

Thursday Night rides are becoming a thing again, Honest John would be smiling in his grave, only if his body wasn’t cremated! Our friends from the Tuesday Night Dearborn rides rode in to meet Bag Cog and me down at to begin our nights journey. Jen suggested we just go with the flow and continue on with our east side explorations, Man I am glad we did just that! For those of you who are too young to remember the Soup Kitchen Saloon used to be the oldest bar in Detroit but for me it was the place for Blues on Open Mic Tuesdays, back in the late 1990’s. Thanks the Mayor Dennis Archers poor decision making/thinking “were going to save Detroit with three Casinos down along the river front”, the property was condemned and the soup kitchen closed in 1999/torn down in 2006. I had all but given up on the Detroit blues scene up until last night, when magically we stumbled on the located at the corner of Chene and Farnsworth. Up until that moment and after exploring the on bike for 24 years, I did not even know the place existed! The manager let us bring our bikes in and soon we were treated to Mr. 6 Strings Base rhythm and a new version of “White Boy Rick” sounding a lot like a young Stevie Ray Vaughn! If you have never been its time to go for sure, to all of our friends and followers bring everyone you know and get into the groove. We were all blown away by the soul, the good people and the dive feel of the joint. From there we sailed North to see “Mr. Cramps” at We sat outside in the courtyard laughing hard till we closed the place down. My friends headed south - west and I rode north back to Senator Thomas

Andrew Sankowski sent out the original post for the that was held yesterday. For those of you whom have never been with your bike, all I can say the original reason I started visiting Toledo back in 2018 on up until yesterday, has always remained the same. It’s the people! Bad Cog and I met at at 9:00AM sharp to make it down in plenty of time before the 10:30 start. At 9:15 and 3 phone calls later brother Paul finally answered. “Had to work late just woke up, not going to make it”. Boom we were off to experience one of the best days in recent memory.

We all meet up at which shares many similar traits to ’s own , – the corruption. My main man Toledo Pete came with his bike racing daughter Brynn and soon we were all off to see the new and improved biking infrastructure recently completed/being built and to explore many streets and back Alleys none of us had ever seen. What impressed me most was the New South Side Maumee River County Park. I wish would have used this design team! A family destination day spot with a Diorama cascading splash pool park that shows in incredible micro scale, the entire journey of the Maumee River form Ft. Wayne Indiana all the way down to Toledo Bay. What a work of Art!

At the 24 Mile Mark, turn to head home, Bad Cogs 67-year-old legs were feeling it, but with Pete and Brynn’s Inspiration, he soldiered on for an after-the-ride Brewery Tour! First we headed to the Field House, 2nd huge location. Then they took us up through the University of Toledo for a brief stop to see our friend Aarron at his house in Old Orchard. From there North we made it to third location in the last 8 years. By then Bad Cogs legs were well lubricated, (I liken it to the Tin Man in the Original Wizard of Oz who moves better after his Joints were lubricated by Dorothy), we were off through the Mansions district, (a little 1.50 mile detour) as Brynn led us back to where it all began in the first place, located right of the UT trail. From there Toledo Pete headed NW while we headed East back through historic Neighborhoods to Ottawa Park……..
and always

The Beautiful thing about warmer storms from the south, is you can dress for it. I put on my water shoes but with my rush and excitement to head straight into the wind, I forget my rear fender and to start the map. Anyways its always a fun ride to meet up with similar bike minded friends at the end of Oakman Blvd. Around 9 pm I headed into the storms-end-tail-wind. I rooster-tailed my outer shell proper, laughing all the way back to
That’s waz up ^ when you

Hot off the press from our friend Tim. Runners or bike riders we ride in to cheer people on?
https://martianraces.com/?fbclid=IwAR0HADH0CIO8xnHuxxyI79wZbp30hkOm9Xp4b-8Rb5t8epfiUfI7ypYMShw

Martian Invasion of Races - Martian Marathon The annual Martian Marathon, Half Marathon and Meteor 5K/10K will invade Hines Drive and surrounding communities! More than 7,000 beings are expected to participate!

Our southern friends from Toledo called and sent messages on Saturday saying no way Am I going to come up and ride in a snowstorm? Well they do live south of us and maybe they’re more like Florida type people anyways the hard pipe hitters from Dearborn Road all the way over and we had some fun in spite of the cold temperatures.

In speaking with our good friends from Toledo, it is time once again to invite them up for another combination tour-event to Celebrate Detroit’s St. Patrick's Day Parade.

WHEN: Sunday March 10th we will be meeting up at 10:00 Am. Rolling at 10:30 Am sharp.

WHERE: Rolling east along the waterfront, Historic St. Paul St., Mayoral Mansion, Grosse Pointe Park then a warmup at at noon. (est. 25 + Miles depending on Belle Isle Loop???)

THEN: Departing Faisan through the Heart of Downtown to make it back for the Parade 1:15-1:30 Pm.

ALL: Are invited, min. 12-14 MPH pace, please and thank you!

Sunday the wind was swirling around never really making its mind up which way was best to Blow. After all the years I am still surprised by the lack of Bike riders venturing down John R. Street, for me 4 lane 1-ways in the city of are the best! There are still so many empty streets on the east side waiting to be explored. I stopped to take a picture of a w**d tree growing right out of the concrete, nature has her ways that is for sure. was awesome once again, what was even nicer was to see Matt and his lovely wife there, friends from the Dearborn Tuesday Night rides. I looked over at my mid-season gloves and realized after 16 years of use worn tips, duct tape and to many holes to count, maybe it’s about time to get a new pair. Last stop to say hi to great people was @ another 4 miles up the street to Palmer Park smiling all the way.

Friday it was warmer than Thursday and since we all had such a great time the call went out to meet again at @4:00 PM for our next bike ride adventure. Bad Cog has been dating some ladies out of Wyandotte and during his excursions came across a place called . What impressed him so much was the bourbon that they make there called Brown Butter Bourbon. We figured a Wyandotte was in order so that is exactly where we headed. Our hope was to compare their work with our friends at on 2nd Ave in Detroit, a place where old fashions come pouring out of the wall. The Vault was trying to be more than it was, but the house Bourbon lived up to the hype. I kept looking out the windows at all the people walking around I just headed out and waited for Paul and Bad Cog to Join Me. Catching the wind-up Jefferson was wonderful. Neither of my riding companions had been to the , (right off Jefferson where Schaefer ends) another classic dive bar. The place was all dark not an open lit sign but when we tried the door, we soon entered in to the thrashing sounds of Metallica playing loudly! I originally found this place as a rest stop along the Metric Century ride that is the complete outer-drive Jefferson Ave Loop. From there we headed north to the to take in some familiar sights and sounds, when all of a sudden, a Tour Bus from Canada arrived with more Beautiful Canadian Women then I could count, That’s what’s up when you

Taking the headwind on to start your ride always makes me smile, I know the return ride is going to be fun! Yesterday marked are 2nd annual return of Paul G., (from the Downey Brewery Tuesday Night rides) to the outside. Some peeps don’t like it below 50 some like it above 55 and sunny, it’s all good to me. We all enjoyed the riverwalk and on the brightly lit colorful running people. Paul had not had a chance to ride the newest section of the Riverwalk aka Uniroyal. He loved it!

Been 3 weeks since I had the chance to head outside and enjoy some fresh air. At least for me riding the Nautlius training bike indoors has lost its luster. My Main man Bad Cog is always ready for a loop so I gave him a call and headed down from Palmer Park to meet up. A Native lifelong resident of SW Detroit it was an easy shot over for him so we meet up at for a roll along the river front. What amazed me was the 6 to 1 ratio of international Tourist vs. Detroiters who were out with their family’s for a walk along the river, so many different languages being spoken! What was super cool for me was the ice pack flowing by, the beauty and power of all of that fresh water pushing massive chunks of ice down river was truly a sight to behold. We looped up to Jefferson at the end of the trail and soon made our way over to to enjoy one of the city’s best. The place has transformed over the years. On a Saturday eve the place was full of kids running around screaming with dads chasing beautiful little people down. Family’s met up to play cards and let their kids hang out. What a beautiful experience. Soon we were off and as Bad Cog headed straight to Brew Detroit turned up the Dequinder cut to take in the total emptiness as I made my way back north to Palmer Park

Starting the year the way I finished it, 24 years in a row.

Ending the year the way I started it. A little nieghbor hood ride🤓

Headed SW with Fridays warming Sun to meet up with a couple of people from the Brother Paul was hands full so we headed East without him. John Kronk, is arguably the worst biking street in the City but is one of the rare ways into the city set in and amongst the railroad tracks. The dive bar thing for us was 20 years ago, enthusiastic early exploration events. In all of those miles and places visited we never made it into Tommy T’s. After 23 years of missing, we finally made it to 3511 Clippert St 48210. was hit bad during the shutdown-shakedown and sold to the new owners about 2 years ago. Meet Faye and Mando where Arabian and Mexican meet in da middle, what incredible people! Lifelong love story and local neighborhood passion had them working together to make Mando’s dream come true. Please check out Detroit’s newest, yet completely unknown, hot spot , diversity inclusive! Pool table vibe-competition, all spanking brand new. The kitchen just opened last week, these fine folks are ready to meet and greet all of us, bikes included too!

From there I followed Bag Cog down Grand Blvd. into the completely remodeled Riverside Park. Late Fall of 2001 is when we first tried to make our way downriver via Jefferson. Rolling by the blast furnaces only to be stopped by the closing of Jefferson under the bridge, founded on the Propaganda of “2001-911 Security” ladies and gentlemen meet Matty, B.S. The Detroit Bridge Company corruption Riverside Park was already in their playbook back then. Corruption cost years upon years, like many parts of B.S. Detroit, I simply stop riding there.

What an awakening on a Friday night! The streets complete re-done and the winding cement trail that leads to the top look out point offers a magnificent view of the new (The Canadian Team is already past midway). Matty’s Team stopped pedestrian and bike traffic post 1979, once they “controlled” the only bridge. One day soon, I will be riding over that new bridge right down into Canada, spending the day on the Utter-side! As I rode back to Palmer Park I thought wise to give up on absolutes, give things another chance and gain perspective.

Most of my friends that I have ridden with or are connected to on Strava, all got the warming message yesterday, I guess this is the ONLY upside to Climate change. To my fellow Men, Annabelle and Brin, (5000 miles this year), both of you are the greatest bike riders that I currently know, so a special shout out to the ladies. Matt from the Dearborn bike rides and Bad Cog met me at for another east side adventure. Matt had never ventured out to see the vast emptiness cleverly veiled by the Detroit Dope Show. He could not comprehend the Destitution and Isolation that is the many vast sections of the east side of Detroit. “Can you believe that guy has a for sale sign on his property?”. My reply was he is probably asking too much, another prisoner of Detroit where 2/3rds of every average citizen’s water bill is based upon the DPSW self-serving-manufactured-nonsense, etal. “Storm water drainage charges”. Maybe this is my next torch light to bear? Anyways we got smacked around by the wind as we made our way into Grosse Pointe per Bad Cogs request. We stopped at Atwater for a pint and marveled at the Keg Christmas Tree erected in the courtyard. I thought to myself, how do you do that with a ladder? We missed all of the storms but as I made my way back to Palmer Park the lingering shower trails reminded me to always embrace what mother nature choose to share.

Had a chance to hit the road last week and head back down to Carmel and Indianapolis Indiana to delight in the reality and experience of GREAT master planning. My first stop was to Carmel which perhaps is the best biking city in the country, (and yes I went out to Portland Oregon back in 2016 to check the propaganda, it did not hold any water!). The pace of growth and residential expansion in Carmel is off the Hook. Just 13 months ago the Union Brewery Co. was located on the east side of the Momon trail. On Friday I was surprised to find that the brewery had moved to the other side and its place were 100’s of three-story townhouses with access walks leading right from back doors to the trail. In a culture that is not brainwashed with car-consciousness Quality of Life, Health and Vitality = Sustainability and ever-increasing taxable valuation. This time I was not in a rush and decided to simply meander around and take it all in, I wish all my friends from GPP and Detroit could have been there with me! Next stop was the Cultural Trail in downtown Indiana. I met my oldest bike riding friend who came to check out Greg Ballard’s, (Mayor of Indianapolis 2007-2015) Cultural Trail. Big Mikes Knee is waiting on an operation, so he brought his E-bike down to take the tour with me. The Cultural trail seamlessly interconnects with Monon trail that runs north through Carmel into Noblesville, as well as the U of I campus and White River trail system. He loved it! Had to stop at the Sun King for a bottle of suds. A great warm up before we headed in to watch the U of M Wolverines win the Big 10 Championship 3-years in a row.
and then head north and

Headed out into the Sun around noon yesterday. There still are so many streets left to explore in this vast city, especially on the east side. I put the call out to some friends to meet up at and Bad Cog answered the call. He headed off east, right, left, right-random. When we realized it was the north side of the Pole town plant/Hamtramck it was time to head west.