Detroit Up North

You knew that Wheelhouse Detroit offers a slew of amazing bike tours around Detroit.  (And if you didn’t, visit our Tours Page and sign up for one today!)

For the second year, we are coordinating a bike ride to coincide with a gathering of Detroiters in Port Austin called Detroit Up North! Sound crazy? Well, maybe…but it’s a lot of fun and a great accomplishment as well!

The basic premise is that a bunch of Detroiters head to “The Tip of the Thumb” for a weekend of kayaking, beaching, eating and drinking. It’s set for June 7 to 9, and information about activities and accommodations can be found at the event’s Facebook Page — but read on if you are interested in joining us for the trip to Port Austin by bike, much of it along the lovely shores of Lake Huron!

First off, you have two options: to ride the whole route (150 miles) or to start in Lexington, just about the half-way point (approximately 75 miles). Both will be sweeper- and SAG-supported with gear transportation included in the cost of entry.

You have the option of camping with us in Port Austin at Bird Creek County Park or finding your own accommodations. This ride is one-way only. Most of you will have a friend or significant other that chose to drive up to Port Austin for the festivities that can schlep you home on Sunday, June 9. But if not, we got ya covered: our friends at the Detroit Bus Co. are offering rides back to Detroit and, either way, we’ll haul your bike and gear back home.

If you are wondering if you are up to this length of a ride, imagine that you will be riding your bike for about 10 hours at a pace of 15 miles per hour for the full distance or, if you choose the 75 mile ride, you’ll be pedaling for about six hours at a pace of 12 miles per hour. You might be able to ride faster — and that is fine! — but we are using these figures to account for rest stops and flat tires and all that kind of stuff.

If that sounds doable, you are fairly fit, have a bike that you ride regularly and is in decent condition, we think you can do this! We recommend road, touring, or hybrid bikes — sorry, cruisers, BMX or trikes probably just ain’t gonna cut it this time.

The cost and options for the event and what that fee covers is as follows:

150-mile ride with no accommodations: $50
Includes two-way gear transport, detailed map, sweeper and SAG-support and bike transport home.

75-mile ride with no accommodations: $50
Includes two-way gear transport, detailed map, sweeper and SAG-support and bike transport home. The ride will begin in Lexington; we can transport your bike there and there is approved parking available for all participants at the Municipal Building. We will also be able to transport you back to your car at Lexington on Sunday and, if space is a concern, finish the trip back to Detroit with your gear and bicycles.

150-mile ride with accommodations: $100
Includes two-way gear transport, detailed map, sweeper and SAG-support and bike transport home.
Also, camping in Port Austin at Bird Creek on the nights of June 8 and 9. You have to supply your own tent and sleeping gear, but we will transport all of this for you. There will be an amazing community dinner on Saturday night that is included as well!

75-mile ride with accommodations: $100
Includes two-way gear transport, detailed map, sweeper and SAG-support. The ride will begin in Lexington; we can transport your bike there and there is approved parking available for all participants at the Municipal Building. We will also be able to transport you back to your car at Lexington on Sunday and, if space is a concern, finish the trip back to Detroit with your gear and bicycles.
Also, camping in Port Austin at Bird Creek on the nights of June 8 and 9. You have to supply your own tent and sleeping gear, but we will transport all of this for you. There will be an amazing community dinner on Saturday night that is included as well!

Ride Home With Detroit Bus Co.: +$30
No need for a vehicle at all! You’ll ride to Port Austin, have your bike to tool around all weekend, and catch a ride home on a stylin’ bus! This option can be added onto any of the aforementioned four options.

Food and fluids along the ride are the rider’s responsibility. Maps will mark options for replenish stops along the route.

This event is fully insured.

The 150-mile ride will leave from Wheelhouse Detroit and the 75-mile ride will caravan from Wheelhouse to Lexington. Details with times and procedures will be sent to all registrants.

Route preview available here.

Any profits from this ride will be donated to the Tour de Troit, which helps to fund Detroit’s growing greenway network.

Registration is available here!

Questions? Ask away in the comments section!