Spring Training Ride 3/21
On Saturday, March 21, Detroit Bikes! will host the Second Annual Spring Training (STR) ride. Given that the Detroit Tigers will soon begin their season, the Red Wings will begin hockey’s second season (playoffs), and the NCAA Final Four will take place at Ford Field, a sports theme ride is a no-brainer (no jokes, please). The Detroit Bikes! Spring Training Ride will cruise past current and past Detroit sports venues, including Tiger Stadium, Olympia Stadium, Recreation Park, and others.
Wear something that represents your favorite Detroit team (professional, college, high school, etc.), such as a T-shirt, bandanna, whatever, and help us challenge Mother Nature to bring the warm weather on!
When: Saturday, March 21, 2009
What: The Spring Training Ride: A riding tour of past and present Detroit sports venues
Cost: FREE!
Ride Starts: 10 AM sharp at the Millennium Bell, Grand Circus Park, downtown Detroit. Please arrive 10 minutes ahead.
Distance of ride: approximately 16 miles
Length: approximately three hours
Pace: Relaxed but steady pace
Needs: We need a rider to take photographs of our event! I'll bring the digital camera. Also, we always need ride helpers to make sure no one gets left behind, assist with minor repairs, etc.
Additional: Helmets are required!
Dress: Show your Detroit sports pride by wearing your favorite Detroit team's T-shirt, hat, bandanna, flag, socks, wristbands, whatever!
Route: Depending upon weather and road conditions, the exact route may be modified. From Grand Circus Park, the Spring Training Ride (STR) will skirt Comerica Park and Ford Field. The STR will head east on E. Lafayette to Helen Street, the former site of the Detroit Tigers' ancestral home, Boulevard Park. The STR will then head west on the Riverwalk, stopping at Rivard Plaza and the Wheelhouse bicycle shop, continuing to Cobo Arena and the Joe Louis Arena! From the Joe, the riders will wheel past old Tiger Stadium and will make a pilgrimage to the site of Olympia Stadium on Grand River at McGraw. The STR will head back west past the Wayne State University athletic to Cass, and make a drink/luncheon stop at Lefty’s Lounge! Lefty’s Lounge is a true sports bar, owned by two former minor league pitchers. (www.leftyslounge.com). The STR will then bike through the Detroit Medical Center, paying a brief visit to the former Recreation Park, the long-forgotten home of the world champion Detroit Wolverines baseball team! The STR will then head back to Grand Circus Park.