Detroit Staycation: Another Woodward Cruise!

 Last weekend, the Annual Woodward Dream Cruise took place in Detroit and Oakland County, featuring thousands of classic cars and millions of visitors.  This weekend, in Detroit, the 2nd Annual "Detroit Bikes! Cruise" will take place with bike riders from around town "cruising Woodward" on two wheels!

Detroit Synergy, a volunteer grassroots group that works through community participation to help Detroiters explore and enjoy all that Detroit has to offer, have sponsoring a Bike Tour this Saturday, August 23rd.  It is part of a celebration of the 201st anniversary of Woodward Avenue.

Throughout the year, Detroit Synergy has various projects for Detroit enthusiasts to participate in---both for pure enjoyment as well as community involvement/improvement. 

All the information you need to know for this weekend's Cruise is below--from the Detroit Synergy Website... 

Saturday August 23rd, Detroit Bikes! will see you at the Clock Tower on the University of Detroit-Mercy (McNichols) Campus to celebrate Woodward Avenue. Our regions most important avenue is turning 201 years old in 2008 and Detroit Bikes! wants to celebrate Woodward Heritage Days throughout July and August by hosting our own version of the "Cruise".

^{**Credit for first surfacing a rural U.S. public road with Portland Cement Concrete pavement is generally conceded to Wayne County, Michigan. A one-mile section of Woodward Avenue was opened in 1909. As shown in the painting, motorists, farmers, and others users seemed to approve.  - Image copyright: US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration website | Carl Rakeman Painting}

Tour Start Time

Tour will start @ 10am PROMPTLY at the Clock Tower on the University (McNichols) Campus.  Our tours are beginners' level cycling speeds and we obey all traffic laws.
*Parking fees and sites vary due to events, however free visitors parking is available on the campus grounds.  Parking is at owner's expense.  Ride a bike!

Tour Start Point

Main Tour: 10am at University of Detroit-Mercy, McNichols Campus -- at the north side of the Clock Tower .   The University of Detroit-Mercy is located just east of Livernois Avenue and south of McNichols (6 Mile) Road.  The Clock Tower can be found in the center of the campus, a large limestone structure, near "the fountain" and the UDM Library, Chemistry, and Engineering Buildings. 
For a Map of the University of Detroit-Mercy Campus: http://tinyurl.com/2kdcy6 and look for number 23 tower/powerhouse

Tour Description

Our free tour of Detroit's Automotive and Cultural Time-line, Woodward Avenue, will focus on many of the automotive landmarks that populate the upper Woodward Corridor of the "Motor City."  Take in fabulous views of Detroit's neighborhoods, destinations, and districts that have transformed Woodward Avenue including these sites:  Palmer Park, Merrill Fountain, Highland Park, Boston Edison, Virginia Park, New Center, T-Plex, Arden Park, the former site of Chrysler Headquarters in Highland Park, and the Ford Highland Park Plant which revolutionized Mass Production, the first concrete mile in the United States, and the home of the first State fair in the Country. 
The end of our tour will lead us back to the University of Detroit-Mercy.  This will conclude our "Cruise" tour series. The tour lasts until approximately 2:30pm.
Preview of our projected route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1259579

Tour Guidelines 

• Bike, bike helmet and signed liability waiver (at event location) are required!

• beginners' level cycling speeds, we obey all traffic laws

• personal money optional for stops (i.e. bakery stop or eats afterward)

• Parking fees and availability vary. However free street parking is available in the area and there are several parking lots nearby.  Parking is at owner's expense.  Ride a bike!
  

• one bathroom break scheduled

• bike light and bike lock suggested, but not mandatory

• sunscreen and water bottles suggested

• eat a modest snack or breakfast before participating suggested

• children under age 16 not suggested to ride alone, parental guidance required.

• we want to keep everyone safe, and healthy.  Please feel free to email,  with any questions or concerns detroitbikes@detroitsynergy.org 

Want to help out Detroit Bikes?

• Bike Mechanic Guru (amaze your friends, and impress your neighbors with your super-human skills of fixing a troubled bike) - 1 - 2 people preferred.

• Tour Guide Assistant (a seasoned pro of the urban street scape, or a intermediate level assistant with the special skill of keeping the group together, on the route, and informed of interesting facts on the tour)

• Liability and Legal Waiver Sage (assist with waiver sign-in, and ease the minds of fellow organizers and volunteers)

If you'd like to help out with any of the activities, please arrive 10 minutes early to the start of the tour and introduce yourself to Alex. Please send an email to detroitbikes@detroitsynergy.org, and let us know what special skill you would like to showcase the day of the tour.

Shameless Plug: Please read my husband's blog The "D" Spot...

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