Ride FAR – Going the Distance to Make a Difference

For 75 years, FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation has believed that movement heals, creativity connects, and recreation belongs to everyone — any age, any diagnosis. This ride is our community’s way of marking that milestone and carrying that belief forward.

Founded in 1951, FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing creative arts and recreation therapies to over 1,600 individuals with disabilities.

Our Mission: Enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, through the power of creative arts and recreational therapies.

Our Vision: A world where individuals with disabilities can connect, contribute, and flourish.

• This is not a race. There are no finish line clocks, no rankings, and no pressure, show up for FAR however you can.
• There is only one ask: Set a personal fundraising goal of $200 or more for FAR’s 75th Anniversary Capital Campaign and help us meet our group goal of $7,500.
• Riders who reach their fundraising goal are invited to FAR Friends — FAR’s signature event on October 15, 2026 at the Seligman Performing Arts Center, Detroit Country Day School — with a guest, as our personal thank-you for going FAR.
  

  Three Ways to Ride FAR

  THREE WAYS TO RIDE. ONE CELEBRATION.

  Full Virtual (Track 1) Complete all 75 kilometers on your own — your roads, your pace, your schedule. Ride solo over the weeks leading up to event day and fundraise along the way. Perfect for riders anywhere in the world who want to be part of the FAR community from wherever you are.

  Partial Ride (Track 2)  Ride ~37 kilometers (~23.3 miles) on your own and join us on celebration day for the final 23 miles of your ride.  You will start 10:30am and enjoy lunch (if you choice) and a group photo with all the “fund-riders”.   Every pedal counts!

  Full Ride (Track 3) Ride Join us in person on celebration day and ride all 75 kilometers together.   The full experience — community, fresh air, and a finish line you’ll share with every other “fund-rider” who showed up for FAR.

  LOCATION:  Island Lake State Recreation Area, a Michigan State Park

  • No cost to enter if you have a recreation passport on your license plate
  • $17 per car at the entrance
  • No cost potential:  Check out the Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) program through your local public library

  LOCATION INSIDE PARK:  Bluebird Shelter (ample parking with restrooms)

  CELEBRATION DAY SCHEDULE – September 19, 2026.

  • 9:00 AM Arrival for the full ride
  • 10:30 AM Arrival for partial ride
  • 1:30 PM Finisher Group Photo and Lunch (if selected)
  • 3:00 PM Depart

  CELEBRATION DAY RIDE DETAILS – September 19, 2026

  • Start and Finish Point for both rides:  BlueBird Shelter at Island State Park
  • Full ride route:
    • BlueBird Shelter → Kensington Connector Trail → Huron Valley Trail → Michigan Airline Trail → West Bloomfield Trail →  Beaudette Park the turn around point.
    • Create a free Koomot account here:  https://www.komoot.com
    • Click to view route in Koomot → 46 Mile Route
  • Partial ride route:
    • BlueBird Shelter → Kensington Connector Trail → Huron Valley Trail → Michigan Airline Trail → Maple Road is the turn around point.
    • Create a free Koomot account here:   https://www.komoot.com
    • Click to view route in Koomot → 23 Mile Route
  • Route print outs will also be available at the start.