I’m wondering if anyone knows of some good, long bike routes in Southeast Michigan. I have friends in other states that have organized bike training days of 50-100mile routes. They have food/water stops every 15 miles, etc. I’m training for my first half ironman and don’t know where to go that I don’t have to do 10 loops at Stoney Creek or something.
Depending on where in Southeast MI you are, I might be able to help you out.
I’ve found www.routeslip.com to be an great source to see where other people ride.
i think i’ve done 3 or 4 laps at stoney creek & that was too much. i’ll second the recommendation for routeslip.com. there are a number of routes out past clarkston, toward davisburg, holly, & fenton. if you don’t like a lot of traffic you can head east or north from oakland county and ride as long as you like.
There are always lots of folks at Kensington Park. The State park is next to it and you can get some miles with a couple of laps. It’s better to ride on the roads at Kensington than the path.
The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society as a nice webpage of various routes.
Jerod
Too bad they did not ask last week. They could have ridden the Helluva ride. A very good ride.
The best way to learn routes is to do some group rides with a local club. Which club depends on exactly where you are but SE Michigan has a number of well established bike routes that the regulars ride. Here’s a link to a list of clubs. http://www.lmb.org/pages/Resources/biking_in_MI/clubs.htm Several of the local clubs have email lists you can subscibe to. That’s the best way to find out about upcoming rides since most of them don’t update there websites very often.
If want maps of routes, as mentioned, check out routeslip.com. SE Michigan is well represented.
I like doing most of my riding at Stoney Creek. You might also want to check out the Infinite Multisport club.
I’m wondering if anyone knows of some good, long bike routes in Southeast Michigan. I have friends in other states that have organized bike training days of 50-100mile routes. They have food/water stops every 15 miles, etc. I’m training for my first half ironman and don’t know where to go that I don’t have to do 10 loops at Stoney Creek or something.
All good suggestions. I’ll admit that I’m a little intimidated (as a first timer) to ride with a cycle group. There’s a running group that has a couple of long runs (through the running shop) to train for the Detroit Marathon. They have workers that have aid stations set up and people who kind of coach you through it. Giving pointers, ecouragment, etc, as you run. Is there anything like THAT for biking/tri?
I don’t think anyone sets up any aid stations, but most groups will stop for drinks, snacks etc. Most groups are quite friendly also, and will give you as much help/advice as you want. I know E.J. from the Loose Spokes/Motive Force group is very willing to help out newbies during the Tues. night B group ride out of Birmingham. I think there is a pretty low key ride out of Cycle and Fitness in Novi (14 & Haggerty) on Wed. nights also.
What type of help are you looking for? Tips on riding in general? Riding in a paceline? Training for an Ironman? There are a ton of great cyclists and triathletes in the area and most would be willing to help you out. There are also a number of Team in Training groups, which might be a little less intimidating if you want to get hooked up with them.
That is where a local Tri club comes in. Most of the clubs are listed on the USAT web site.
I ride all or parts of the AABTS One Helluva Ride route on almost every Saturday through mid August. Many opportunities to lengthen or shorten the route or to meet up at a variety of locations. Always looking for company - PM me if you want to meet up.
I can see what I need to do is go to the area bike shops and check out what rides they have available for new people. The only real tri shop is so far away, but to do group rides with bikers, they don’t have to be tri specific. I am a single mom with 2 kids so I don’t want to spend my time on the road trying to get to the next group ride. And I really like the routeslip.com page. That is amazing! Thanks!
Thanx TriBrian and Jack M! That is EXACTLY what I was looking for, One Helluva Ride! They have the food thing, other people, mapped out routes of different distances and such. Bummer I missed it. But at least I know where to go for next year.
There are several first year triathletes that work out with Infinite Multisport. Infinite does a lot of cool things to help grow the sport. One of Infinite’s events later this summer will be conducting a “mock tri” at Stoney Creek that is geared specifically for new triathletes that need assistance with transitions, running off the bike, open water swimming, gear questions, etc…
I’ve done a few tri’s so far. I’m just not as good as all the people who tell me to join a tri group. I think that’s why the intimidation. I’m not going to be able to keep up with the 24mph bikers or the 7-8min./mile runners. And so many of them are young, with no kids or things other then work to get in the way of thier training. Any suggestions?
It’s a bummer you missed the OHR this past weekend. It was a great day even with a bit of rain. I mapped out the route on mapmyride.com: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/brighton/589831411
Here is the park road 12.5 mile loop at Island Lake: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/brighton/545550401
This is a typical loop at Kensington Metro Park (just across the highway from Island Lake - you can cross over between the parks via a paved path beneath I-96). Part of this is on the multi-use path (go slow - lots of pedestrians, etc) and mostly on park roads: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/brighton/545511556
There are other rides like it yet this year. Pick up a Michigan Sports & Fitness magazine at an LBS or sporting goods store. They are free and come out each month. The back has a great listing of everything from cycle tours to Tri’s to paddling, rowing and adventure racing.
jack m,
The route is well marked on the road. They could still ride it and use party stores, gas stations, etc. for support. I ride all over that area every year.
I’ll 2nd the AABTS website for route info.
I could see the HR marks at the waterloo tri. They use the same park. I like that area with the rolling terrain. I’m in western Monroe Co. As you ride west it is nice riding but very flat. The AATS maps are good.