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Hamtown Bike Challenge
Next Sunday, May 24, all the cool kids will be at the Hamtramck Bike Challenge. Meet at Atlas Bar at 10 a.m. -- and prepare to cover every single block of Hamtramck's streets by bike!
The Atlas Bar is at 2363 Yemans -- corner of Yemans and Brombeck.
Dequindre Cut Re-Cap
The opening of the Dequindre Cut was truly lovely. Can't say much about the speechifying, because we were too busy transporting (where was Jason Statham when we needed him?) 10 bikes from the shop over to the Cut! Two of our cruisers were used to string the ribbon across the Cut for the grand snip. After the ceremony, there was a parade down the Cut with marching bands, walkers, roller bladers and, yes, bikers! Then we offered free 1/2-hour rentals so folks could ride to the end and back. We estimate we did about 35 or so -- and between that and the wind knocking our bikes over, Alex and Kelli were busting butt the whole time! But well worth it -- it seems like good times were had by all.
Read more about it at the Metro Times or watch this video!
The Last Word
Kelli & Karen had "The Last Word" in this week's Real Detroit.
Here's a sample:
What was the most exciting thing about being down here finally and what was the biggest challenge that you faced?
KK: The challenge was to get the word out, get people to come down here and see biking as a feasible entertainment option — not just for people who ride regularly. One of the most exciting things is when we rent to people from other places. You go to most major cities and renting a bike is not abnormal. They come here and expect to rent a bike and have Detroit deliver for them — it’s not a radical experience for them. Getting to see a city by bike is awesome, and allows a fair view of this town that not many visitors get to see. KG: On the flipside, I love it when Detroiters and residents and local people come in and are like, “Whoa! That’s whats up.”
Check the whole thing out here!
Also, remember to come out tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the grand opening of the Dequindre Cut! We'll be at the Woodbridge (south) entrance with free bike rentals, coupons and of course, info about tours, group rides and all that kind of fun stuff.
All in the family
In the spirit of Mother's Day...This family rocked the trailer and bike seat.
Yeah, pretty adorable. You can see more pics and read about their Wheelhouse adventure here.
Just like Anakin...
We have joined the darkside. You can find us over at Facebook as Wheelhouse Detroit -- and this blog is integrated into our page. See you and everyone we've ever met over there!
Tour de Cure Fundraiser 05/09/09
This Saturday at the Park Bar (2040 Park Ave.) riders from the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure cycling event are hosting "RIDE it, PARK it, ROCK it", a fundraiser to benefit the ADA.
Meet at the bar at 1 p.m. and then head out for a casual 8-10 mile bike ride around downtown Detroit starting at 1:30 p.m. Discounted bike rentals are available through Wheelhouse Detroit. The ride is being lead by Todd Scott of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and will highlight various trails and green spaces in the city. Following the ride will be drinks at the bar. The Park Bar is donating a portion of their proceeds back to the ADA. There is a $10 donation per rider and each rider will receive one ticket for a post-ride drawing. There are several cool items to give away! Additional tickets for the giveaway can also be purchased at the bar. For more information please contact Anika Halladay at ahalladay@diabetes.org or 248-433-3830, ext. 6694.
Shop Stars
Here is Eric with the bike he built from scratch (with some parts found at bike shows, some from eBay, some from Wheelhouse).
Here's Kelli with an idol of her youth.
Karen, breaking in our new BMX bike.
Ron's bike, gone fishin' on Belle Isle.
Across the Reever
We don't speak often about riding in Canada, but it is actually really cool. Anyhoo, our friend Bobby D. in Toronto sent this our way and we thought we'd share!
My friend Ross is trying to set the cross-ontario cycling record. He is leaving Ottawa on Friday May 8th at around 7:00am and hopes to make it to Windsor City Hall in around 30-34 hours depending on time off the bike which would put him in Windor some time between 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday the 9th. The current record is 35 hours and 39 minutes.I was supposed to be on the crew but had to drop out last minute due to some stuff that came up so sadly I will not be making the trip. But it would be great if you and some friends would be able to see him finish. I thought that maybe it would be a good link on the Wheelhouse site.
The official website is here... http://www.crossontario.ca/
Anyway...hope you are well and hope you can make it out to see him finish. It is for a good cause.
Good luck, Ross -- And if you make it over to Detroit, we'll definitely buy you a beer!
On a CA note, check out this story Kelli wrote a couple years ago about taking a bike tour of Ontario wineries: Wandering wine country.
Next thing you know, we'll be singing "Oh, Canada" at the shop every morning.
Weekend Report
We had three great tours this weekend: Hamtramck, a private one for attendees of the Population Association of American annual meeting and Grandmont Rosedale. Breakdown: 61.4 miles, 31 people, 3 trips on the Dequindre Cut! We visited the Power House, Polish Art Center, Hamtramck Disneyland and Cafe 1923 in Hamtramck...Belle Isle, Indian Village, Earthworks Urban Farm and Eastern Market on the PAA tour...and the Catherine Ferguson Academy farm, N. Rosedale Community House and a charming home on the Grandmont Rosedale one.
Thanks to everyone who rode, we had a blast! Here's a pic of the Hamtramck group in front of the Polish Art Center. 
Summer Hours!
Starting today, we are here seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. See you at the Wheelhouse!