2009 Tour de Troit

[Todd_Scott]

This is just a reminder that September 1st is the last day to pre-register *and* get a T-shirt. You can register on-line.

This ride has been growing every year and this year is certainly no exception. With 3 weeks to go, we have nearly 800 registered.

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For Immediate Release: 8th Annual Tour de Troit
“Motown Sans Motor”
Saturday, September 19, 2009 ~ 10:00 a.m.

The Tour de Troit is a leisurely bicycle tour of Detroit that explores the city’s historic areas, takes in many of its most breathtaking sights and provides bicyclists a unique opportunity to legally "take over" the streets of the Motor City. This year, the eighth annual, will take place on September 19. Last year over 1,000 riders joined in the fun and organizers are planning for 2,000 this year.

For the first time, Tour de Troit is offering two ride options: a 30-mile, slow-paced, police-escorted journey; and the Metric Century, a 62-mile trek around the D for more experienced riders. ~Both options are sweeper and SAG-supported.

The ride will begin and end at Roosevelt Park in the shadow of Michigan Central Station, located in historic Corktown at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and 14th Street. Registration and sign-in will begin at 8 a.m. Local blends of Great Lakes Coffee and pastries from Chilango's Bakery will be available for fuel, and bike technicians from The Hub of Detroit and Bike Tech will be on hand to provide last-minute adjustments.

The ride will take off at 10 a.m. The primary route will take in many historic neighborhoods including Midtown, Downtown, Hubbard Farms, Indian Village and New Center. Highlights include the Dequindre Cut, East RiverWalk, Farnsworth Community Garden and Heidelberg Project. The Metric Century will go deeper into Southwest Detroit and Northwest Detroit and jog through Hamtramck.

Both rides will enjoy a short rest stop at the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy’s newly-refurbished Gabriel Richard Park to allow riders to use the restroom, replenish their water supply and grab a Michigan apple courtesy of Detroit Eastern Market Corp., a Whole Foods Market nutri-grain bar and a Quench beverage from Clif Bar.

After the ride, there will be music, food and drinks from 2 to 6 p.m. In partnership with Savor Southwest, the Tour de Troit is excited to be providing a spread of food from local restaurants including Slow’s Bar B Q, Motz Burgers, Pizza de Casa, Honeybee Market, Mudgie’s Deli and Dearborn Bakery. Additionally, vegetarian fare from Moo Moo’s and Organaman will be served. Beverages from Vitamin Water and Arbor Brewing Co. will be served. Music will be provided by DJ Jeff Richards, also known as Rock N Roll Scientist with sound support from Audio Rescue Team.

Pre-registration for the Tour de Troit is available at www.tour-de-troit.org. The cost is $30 per rider [[$25 for students). Registration completed before Sept. 1 includes a t-shirt. Registration between Sept. 1 and 11 is $30/$25 but does not include a t-shirt. Registration between Sept. 12 and 18 is $35/$30. Day-of registration is $40/$35. A limited number of t-shirts will be available for purchase on-site.

Packet pick-up will be available for pre-registrants at Wheelhouse Detroit. Both rides will be sweeper- and SAG-supported. Plenty of on-street parking is available at Roosevelt Park, but riders are encouraged to take the SMART bus or cycle to the event. Riders are able to take advantage of a special lodging rate at the nearby Motor City Casino Hotel and discounted dog daycare at Canine to Five.

Greater Corktown Development Corporation sponsors the Tour de Troit to raise awareness of biking as a mode of transportation, to publicize the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan and to raise funds for the Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink. The Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink is a planned series of bike lanes and off-road pathways that will connect the neighborhoods of Corktown and Mexicantown to each other and to the Detroit River.

Tour de Troit is also sponsored by Miller Canfield, Team Detroit, Giffels Webster Engineering, O’Connor Real Estate and Development, Recy-clean, Michigan Green-Safe, Kem 3D, Detroit Medical Center, Honest John’s Bar & Grill, Bureau of Urban Living, Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub, Brown’s Bun Bakery and Zachary and Associates with support from Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, New Center Council, Southwest Detroit Business Association, Detroit Bikes! and TheDetroiter.com.

More information about Tour de Troit is available at www.tour-de-troit.org.

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