Another Fat Tuesday is here and it’s looking I won’t get the chance to bike to Hamtramck for Packi.     Work and politics have gotten in the way yet again.

And it looks like I won’t have a chance to try Jagermeister-filled paczki, which probably is a good thing.

If you don’t know what packi are or would like to get the feel of being in Hamtramck on this day, here’s an entertaining video:

I ran into Will and Shelley Botens while biking last weekend.  We started talking about riding and I agreed to take Will on a tour of Detroit that weekend.

We started from Berkley and worked our way over to Oakman Boulevard.  The Boulevard took us to our first stop, the incredible Shatila bakery in Dearborn.  Biking to bakeries is always a great idea in my mind.

Next we went past the Ford Rouge Plant in search of a route onto Fordson Island, which we never found.

We headed east, making our way through Mexicantown and Corktown and finally Downtown.  Turning south, we rode the Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut.

Will had never been to the Heidelberg Project or Eastern Market, so of course we had to stop by and check them out.

Heading north on Russell, we dipped into Hamtramck for a quick refueling at the Cafe 1923 before visiting Hamtramck Disneyland.

At this point it was apparent that I had turned this Detroit tour into a very long ride.  Never expect a short tour when I’m wearing my IMBA Long Live Long Ride jersey.

Last but not least, we had to stop at Theatre Bizarre before making our way up Woodward and back to Berkley.  At the end, we’d ridden 61 miles and had a great time.

Today was opening day for the Detroit Tigers.  With temperatures edging into the fifties and the rain staying north, I rode downtown.

I started by riding past old Tiger Stadium.  The streets and parking lots were full of cars and Tiger tailgators.   Cabs were circling like vultures looking to give rides over to the park.

I headed down Michigan Avenue and made a stop at the Urban Bean Company.  The owner Josh hustled outside as I pulled up so we could talk about my Kona King bike.  He’s got a Kona Chute.  Josh has really gotten the coffee shop going now.  He’s added the cold beverages and baked goods.  He’s got the Tiger’s on TV.  He’s just picked up a hookah.

After a quick coffee and muffin, I rode around and past Comerica Park.  The streets were buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Tiger’s season.

Then, while riding home, I made a quick detour at Holbrook to ride past the striking workers at American Axle in Hamtramck.  I didn’t have a horn to honk for support or even a bike bell — probably a good thing on the latter.  They did  have the Tigers game on the radio.

Unfortunately Detroit ended up one down on Kansas City after 11 innings.