Detroit (est. 1701): Motor City, Arsenal of Democracy, birthplace of Motown and Techno, primary prohibition port of entry, home of the first paved cement road (Woodward), first urban highway (Davison), first radio broadcast, first telephone area code... What are you now???
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| The Detroit Police motorcade that accompanied the ride |
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House on Vernor near the
start of the ride |
Detroit has earned a reputation that shouts stay-safe/stay-away. I have been fortunate to explore cities far and wide, but have never spent much time in the city from which the metropolitan area where I live gets its name. I've driven the fast lane through Detroit to cross the bridge into Canada, and stopped briefly here or there for a work conference or sporting event. But all of us who live north of 8 Mile or in the 'burbs have been endowed with a visceral fear of viewing Detroit from the pavement level. When I first heard about the
Tour De Troit bike ride, I knew I had to be there.
Alison and I arrived before the sun rose, unpacked the bikes, and rode a short distance to the check-in at Roosevelt Park. The imposing Michigan Central Depot towered above us, the most famous ruin of the city. The crowd gathered and chatted, drinking coffee, cheering when the police motorcade that would escort us on the tour arrived en force. Slowly the peleton inched past the depot, under the tunnel, and off to see the sites.
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| Classic architecture on Grand River Avenue |
The route took us through neighborhoods where denizens cheered us from their porches, past magnificent residences proclaiming the grandeur of the auto trade that put the world on wheels, through city blocks that reeked of decay. This is a city of startling contrast. We did the loop on Belle Isle, Detroit's island park designed by Frederick Olmstead, who also laid out Central Park in New York City. Windsor, Ontario is not much more than a shout away, but looks lusterless compared to the Motor City's skyline visible from the south shore of the island. 4,300 riders participated in this event. I heard many exclaiming with delight that they didn't know Detroit was so beautiful.
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| Detroit's skyline taken from Belle Isle |
Alison and I didn't want it to end when the ride was over. We absolutely will be back next year, because this is too much fun to miss. We're already planning the day, intending to expand our participation from the roughly 30 mile ride (including the Belle Isle loop) that we did Saturday to the Metric Century ride (62 miles) so that we can see even more of the city.
JOIN US next year for this event, short or long ride. If you think you're not fit enough, get started now, you have a whole year to train. You will be so glad you did!
Até amanhã...
9/24/11 - 31.2 miles [BIKING] | 180 min | 10.3 mph | 1223 kcal
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| Ha! I really did fit two bikes in the "Porsche"! |
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| *When* did she get so much taller than me??! |
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| Pure Michigan spirit :) |
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