So we decided to take a chance and go for a ride in Detroit today with a bike group we read about on the Web. They're called "Detroit Bikes!" , which is part of the group Detroit Synergy.
Bottom line is that we had no idea how it was going to be when we got there. Would there be two starry-eyed people seeking to take a peaceful ride through the roughest streets of Detroit? Ten people who all knew each other and shunned non-Detroiters?
Or would they be rabid bikers who eschew any four-wheel vehicle owners and curse our SUV (even though it gets decent gas mileage for an SUV)? And would we want to turn around as soon as we got to Clark Park, a place where some of the Detroit crew we know can rattle off names of past weed dealers from back in the day who have "worked" there? (Chewey was one them, apparently.)
The answer to all of those questions is "no." They were a great mix of people who just seemed like they wanted to get together and bike. They also have a mission through Detroit Synergy to get people reacquainted with the city streets.
It was an awesome ride through Southwest Detroit, which, as I've mentioned, is well-known for its Mexican bakeries and restaurants. Our first stop was a little Mexican bakery, pictured somewhere on this blog. We also passed historic St. Anne's Church built in 1701 and Woodmere cemetery, dedicated in 1869.
Best of all was that we took part in something really inspiring. Here's the mission of Detroit Synergy:
"We generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit."
Right on!
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