On Saturday, September 17, more than 2,500 bikers are expected to peddle their way from the City of Detroit’s Riverside Park – the starting point of this year’s Tour de Troit, located on Detroit’s southwest riverfront, at the foot of West Grand Boulevard and the Ambassador Bridge. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, Tour de Troit features a new starting point (away from its original staging area at Roosevelt Park in front of Michigan Central), a fresh 26-mile-route that will take riders through some of Detroit’s most dynamic and historic neighborhoods, around Belle Isle, and for the first time the entire stretch around West to East Grand Boulevard.
Tour de Troit is a leisurely bike ride with police escort; sweeper-and-SAG-support; three mechanical “pit stops;” and one rest stop that includes a snack and mechanical support. Lunch, Beer/Wine (21+), and Faygo are provided after the ride at the afterparty.
This year’s Tour de Troit also marks the return of the METRIC CENTURY! A 62 miles of self-guided bike ride with SAG-support and two rest stops. The metric century ride will begin at 7 a.m., with the main 26 mile ride beginning at 9 a.m. Interested riders can visit online at Tour-de-Troit.org for registration information. The Tour de Troit registration fee is $75 includes a souvenir t-shirt, a food/beverage from Planted Detroit and rest stop snack coupon, and a riding bib.
Helmets are mandatory for all Tour de Troit riders.
“We are excited to be back in action after the pandemic,” said Vittoria Katanski, Tour de Troit’s director.
“This year powered by a dynamic core of corporate sponsors lead by Michigan Central (Ford Motor Co.), and Giffels Webster, we have seen an increase in interest from our loyal bike riders and new riders who look forward to Tour de Troit. As we returned to a new normal, this year’s Tour de Troit has a new route and event staging area at Riverside Park, and just like previous tour rides all the amenities our biking community appreciates the most such as an assortment of local only food and beverage vendors. Tour de Troit offers a safe, guided tour that is inviting for friends and families to come together and celebrate our great city that is Detroit on two wheels,” Katanski added.
This year’s Tour de Troit coincides with the start of the return of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) – now back in Detroit after a three year layover after transitioning the event historically held in January to an early fall event, and the interruptions caused by the pandemic. Through the power of Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Central, and their support of enhanced forms of mobility from the automobile, hybrid technology, autonomous and electric vehicles, Tour de Troit is poised for another spectacular ride highlighting Detroit’s neighborhood and gems hiding in plain sight.
Speaking of food, beverage and entertainment, this year’s Tour de Troit will feature deejay entertainment and local food and restaurant vendors such as Amicci’s Pizza, Better Made, gumbo by Chef Ederique Goudia (Gabriel Hall), fruits from Eastern Market, Eastown Distributors, Faygo, subs by Gonnella’s Italian, mezze plate from Golden Fleece, tamales, beans and rice from Honeybee Market, Momento Gelato, beer by Motor City Brewing Works, salads from Organaman’s, and eco-friendly products provided by Michigan Green Safe.
Bike riders participating in Tour de Troit should bring their own water bottles to refill at designated water stations at this bottle free event.. No children under the age of 12 will be allowed to participate in the ride, unless in a child trailer or child seat.
To date, Tour de Troit has raised more than $360,000 to develop greenways and promote bicycle safety and awareness in the Motor City. This includes the Southwest Detroit Greenlink; the Green Taskforce; park improvements in Hamtramck; and the implementation of a standardized wayfinding system for the City of Detroit.
This year’s ride is made possible by our year-round sponsors; Ford/Michigan Central Station, Giffels Webster, Planted Detroit, The Platform, PVS Chemicals, Robar PR, Miller Canfield, BCBSM, Superior Ambulance, Nemo’s, O’Connor Real Estate, Recycle Here, Rossetti, The Block, Program to Educate All Cyclists, KEM 3D, and Essential Screen Printing.
Helmets are mandatory and e-bikes are not allowed. For registration and additional information visit: https://tour-de-troit.org/tour-de-troit.
Tour de Troit raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation; publicizes the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan; and raises funds for greenway development in Detroit, including the Southwest Detroit Greenlink and the GREEN Taskforce Vision for Greenways on Detroit’s Lower Eastside. The organization hosts additional events each year: Martin Luther King Memorial Ride, Paczki Run, and Tour de Eastside.
The mission of the Tour de Troit, Inc., is to promote and encourage health & wellness through running & bicycling. We do this through education, public events, collaboration with community and government organizations and support for non-motorized infrastructure. The Tour de Troit, the city’s largest cycling event, raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation and publicizes the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan. Tour de Troit, Inc. also produces and supports other events that promote a healthy lifestyle and city, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bike Ride, Rouge-A-thlon, Paczki Run, Bike the Bridge, and the Tour d’Eastside.
Tour de Troit has raised over $360,000 towards supporting non-motorized infrastructure since 2005, including the Southwest Detroit Greenlink; the Green Taskforce; Park improvements in Hamtramck; and the implementation of a standardized wayfinding system for the City of Detroit. The organization was honored by the League of Michigan Bicyclists with their 2014 & 2017 Community Support for Bicycling Award for our efforts in this realm.
For more information, visit www.tour-de-troit.org.
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