Cup fever has hit Hockeytown and today’s parade downtown really capped off the celebration.
With a million spectators expected, the newspapers warned about traffic and parking problems ($20!). No problems for biking. In fact, it seemed like a lot of other folks had the same idea.
Fortunately I was able to get around and take quite a few photos of Red Wings, the Cup, and more.
Photos from the 35-acre, 3.5 million square foot sprawling Packard Plant are now on-line.
Not only were luxury cars built here, but engines for WWII PT boats, P40s, P-51 Mustangs, Lancaster bombers, and various other British and Canadian aircraft. Packard was a key to the America’s Arsenal of Democracy.
One major advantage America had during WWII was our factories were safe from enemy bombers. Ironically, one of Detroit’s greatest war plants looks bombed today.
Wikipedia has a bit more information on the history of Packard.
There’s another Alleycat in Downtown Detroit this weekend. Here’s the scoop from their press release:
“From the team that brought you the Drug Wars race, comes the Traffic race.
This is perhaps the closest we can come to a rush hour NYC alley cat race. There will be a Tigers game, a Wings Game, and the Electronic Music Festival going on.
It’s going to be a little tough due to crazy amounts of traffic and people. You must understand that this is an unsanctioned event and YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF. This race will be EXTREMELY dangerous.
Here are the details. (more…)
Mexicantown is always fun to ride through. It’s a dense and diverse community with plenty to see and do. And it has my major bike ride requirement: good locally-owned bakeries.
But this area is even more fun to ride through during Cinco de Mayo. The Mexican pride seems to overflow into Hispanic pride and it’s all good cause for celebration.
Vernor, the main drag, gets clogged with slow moving cars. It’s more like riding a bike through a parking lot than the heart of the main business strip. There is a bit of drinking going on so it’s probably best ending ones ride before sunset.
Also, yesterday saw lines at all the restaurants. Apparently the I-75 re-construction isn’t hurting business too badly, at least for Cinco de Mayo.
It all came together last weekend in Detroit. The weather was perfect and there were plenty of group rides to choose from. Detroit Synergy hosted two rides. The first started in the shadows of Comerica Park, followed the Riverwalk, and ended up in Eastern Market.
One highlight was using the automated self-cleaning bathroom at Gabriel Richard Park. It’s the first time a bathroom has spoken to me — and in different languages too.
After that ride, I rode over to the Urban Bean Company for a cold drink. While there, a Back Alley Bikes/Trips for Kids Detroit ride showed up.
Sunday was another Synergy ride that started on Detroit West side, meandered through Rouge Park, on to Hines Drive, and the Rouge Gateway Trail. The end destination was Henry Ford’s Fair Lane Estate in Dearborn. And with the spring flowers starting to come alive, it was a great choice.
