LARide Detroit Month of Design CycleTour 2020

LA Ride – “Detroit Month of Design” Cycle Tour 2020 In conjunction with the Detroit Design Corridor (DMD) Detroit Month of Design 2020 –  https://designcore.org/month-of-design/

DATE: September 26th, 2020

GATHERING: 12:00pm to 1:00pm LAUNCH: 1:00pm to 6:00pm GATHERING POINT: 601 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 (Tolan Park next to Lexus Velodrome) 10:00-12:00

THE PLAN – LA Ride Detroit is an interactive, slow to medium-paced bike ride, open to the public, where riders visit locations throughout the city designed by Landscape Architects. They will hear details about the projects from the professionals who actually worked on them. We explore city-scapes, parks, trail systems, sustainable landscapes, school campuses, sports facilities, gardens, urban agricultural sites and historic places. Every ride includes “Lecture Sites” and “Mini Stops” where planners, advocates, and technical staff give presentations to the group. Ride cost is $35 includes t-shirt and awesome logo neck gaiter. Continuing Education Credits are available for $65.00.

LECTURE SITES: Include – Tolan Park, “Dequindre Cut”, Detroit International Riverfront, Riverside Park, Bagley Pedestrian Bridge and Mexican Town, Michigan Central Station!!!!! and the Lexus Velodrome.

AFTER PARTY – LEXUS VELODROME: Once the LA Ride Cycletour concludes, the After Party begins. The Velodrome has a full bar and plans are food trucks will be available. ProAm and Junior racing follows 7:30-9PM. Bar will remain open, possible night ride with Detroit cycle groups. Non-participants can join us.

Expect Photo, Interview and Video Ops

STAGING: The LA Ride crew will be at Lexus Velodrome at 10:00am to set up. Riders are encouraged to show up at 12pm. There will be a pre-launch presentation from 12:00-12:20pm. Lunch will not be provided. Riders are encouraged to dine prior to arrival or bring their own lunch.

FIRST LECTURE SITE: 12:20-12:50pm at Tolan Park next to the Velodrome. LAUNCH: The LA Ride will leave on time, at 1:00 PM, sharp.

PACE: A Slow to medium paced escorted ride along a fairly flat course.

BRING: Please make sure that your bicycle is in good condition, tires pressured up, ready to go. Helmets are strongly encouraged. Riders should bring water and proper cycling attire. Experienced riders carry simple tool kits, pumps, spare tubes. Lights are encouraged.

COVID-19: Bring a mask, hand sanitizer, practice social distancing and advisories. A limited number of logo neck gaiters will be available.

RENTAL or “BIKE SHARE” BIKES: Due to COVID 19 restrictions… Participants will have to reserve rental bikes on their own, in advance. Try Wheelhouse Detroit but be advised their hours are reduced because of COVID 19.  We strongly recommend Detroit’s bike share MoGo – www.mogodetroit.org (Check website for station locations, pay online or at bike station)

ROUTE: The “tour loop” starts at Lexus Velodrome and returns to the Velodrome for After Party and ProAm and Junior races! The route is approximately 12 miles combining Detroit city streets and main routes, bike ways, bike trails (Dequindre Cut), the Riverfront and neighborhoods. See map. Streets are paved with some pothole conditions. We recommend city commuter bikes, MTBs, cross bikes, vintage, fat bikes, gravel bikes – in good condition. Skinny tire road bikers can expect rough pavement sections and possible crossing of street car tracks (the course will avoid these sections wherever possible).

OPTION! Ride the Velodrome! Those who want the experience of riding the Velodrome need to make arrangements by Sept 24th prior (around 10AM)to the LARide Cycletour on the 26th. Participants will take the Track 101 class (orientation and skills) which qualifies you to ride the Velodrome anytime for recreation or to race.  You will be provided all equipment including a fine track bike – race bike – so cool! Visit https://lexusvelodrome.com/classes/track-101/ or contact Pete Bosheff: (517) 202-1053

PARKING FREE: Cyclists can park vehicles at 1) Tolan Park/Velodrome complex.  2) Adjacent there is a parking lot next to Ben Carson High School off Mack and I-75  3) On-street Southbound I-75/Chrysler Service Drive 4) Paid- parking in the DMC (medical center) Parking Structure, Mack & Beaubien; a short 1/2block walk

Skaters and BMX Bikers!! Lecture Sites include the amazing Riverfront Park Skatepark, 24 hours, most amazing lighting array by “Grindline” Skatepark Designers/Builders – absolutely brand new and amazing facility.

WHO’S GOING? Open to anyone! Attendees of the MiASLA (Michigan Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects) Annual Meeting, Landscape Architecture faculty, students, practitioners, public administrators, engineers, local officials, urban explorers, cyclists and friends. The LA Ride is open to anyone interested in a comprehensive tour of notable project sites in Detroit including those seeking CEUs. We especially encourage students who might be considering Landscape Architecture as a rewarding career.

At 6:15 pm Dale Hughes, Executive Director of the Detroit Fitness Foundation will provide a presentation on the history of the Velodrome and the Fitness Center. The non-profit organization encourages youth to become part of this venue by offering training and oppurtunities for cycling and compettitive racing.

Awesome – Free to participants: Following the presentation will be two hours of cycle races (7:30-9:00 pm),

The lights dim at 9:00 pm and the After Party can continue.

Option includes a night ride with Detroit Bicycle Groups details TBA.

Proceeds to landscape architecture scholarships, mentoring, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Detroit Greenways Coalition, LMB