Bike to work day is everyday for the dedicated cyclists. But for those who need a nudge to try it, this Friday is Bike to Work day.

There are two organized Bike to Work rides to Detroit this year. They are a combination of last year’s rides hosted by Detroit Synergy and American Cycle and Fitness.

If you need another excuse, Armadillo Printwear is cooking up some cool T-shirts for participants.

Here are the Friday itineraries with the estimated times:

Woodward Avenue Route

• 6:15AM Start: American Cycle & Fitness in Royal Oak
  29428 Woodward Ave. (just north of 12 Mile Rd)
• 6:25AM Royal Oak Farmers Market, West Entrance
• 6:40AM Ferndale, Southbound Woodward Ave. @ 9 Mile Rd
• 7:35AM Cultural Center/Midtown, WSU
• Welcome Center – Woodward Ave. @ Warren Ave.
• 8:00AM Finish: Downtown, Campus Martius Park
• Afternoon ride leaves Campus Martius @ 5:30pm. Arrive in Royal Oak @ 7pm

Grosse Pointe Route

• 6:15AM Start: American Cycle & Fitness Grosse Pointe, 20343 Mack Ave. (6 blocks south of Vernier Rd)
• 6:35AM City of Grosse Pointe Village, Kercheval @ St. Clair. Parking at Trader Joe’s Parking Garage
• 6:50AM Grosse Pointe Park/Detroit, East Jefferson Ave @ Lakepointe – Grosse Pointe Park Public Library
• 7:30AM Rivertown/Indian Village, 6533 East Jefferson Ave @ Bellevue ?Parking on Bellevue Street
• 8:00AM Finish: Downtown, Campus Martius
• Afternoon ride leaves Campus Martius @ 5:30pm. Arrive in Grosse Pointe @ 7pm

For more information on these rides, visit the Detroit Synergy and American Cycle and Fitness web sites.

I just received these photos from Michael Boettcher, the Executive Director for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority. We had a small group which was perhaps due to it being the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. Still, it was a great ride from Dearborn to Campus Martius.

Last Friday was Detroit Synergy’s organized bike to work day from Downtown Dearborn to Campus Martius in Detroit.  It was a light turnout, which was surprising giving the great weather and high gas prices.  Perhaps many were getting an early start on their Memorial Day Weekend plans.

Nonetheless, we had a great ride straight down Michigan Avenue.  Channel 7 came out and covered the ride. Thanks to Alex, Detroit Synergy, Michael Boettcher (East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority), the Dearborn Police, and the Mercury Coffee Shop.

Today began the third annual Detroit Synergy bike to work day.  Today we had a great ride from Royal Oak to Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit.  Next Friday’s ride is from Dearborn to Campus Martius.

One of the riders today was going out of his way to ride with us.  His normal bike commute is from Royal Oak to Wixom.

Also, congrats to fellow bike commuter and Friend of the Clinton River Trail, Mark Pompetski.  He got some much deserved ink describing his bike commuting in the Hometown Life:

Three years ago, when Michigan’s perennial orange barrels sprouted along his route to work, Mark Pompetzki’s daily commute became even more of a grind than usual.

But prompted by a co-worker, Pompetzki found a way to take some of the pressure off the drive between Rochester and Southfield. He started riding his bike to work when the weather and his schedule permitted. He’s still doing it today, averaging one day a week.

Read the complete article

Today had two bike to work events sponsored by American Cycle and Fitness and Fox 2. One started in Grosse Pointe, another in Royal Oak. Both ended up a Campus Martius where a Trek commuter bike was raffled off to one of the participants. The weather was great as Fox 2’s Lila Lazaras led us down Woodward.

And a special thanks to Lila for noting how great it would be if Woodward Avenue had bike lanes.

Tomorrow is Detroit Synergy’s ride from the Royal Oak Farmers’ Market to Campus Martius. More ride details