Michigan Recumbent Rally - East
May 10, 2008 (Saturday)
If you would like to examine or test ride a recumbent, plan on attending the annual Michigan Recumbent Rally - East on Saturday, May 13th from 9am until 3pm. The event will be held at the Willow Metropark pool shelter, located off exit 11 of I-275, just south of Detroit Metro airport. The event is free although there is a $4 park admission fee. And while recumbents are the main theme, all cyclists (and non-cyclists!) are welcome to attend.
Events at the Rally will consist of recumbent displays, bike dealers, test-rides, information table and a "buying your first recumbent workshop" at 11am and 1pm. Recumbent owners are urged to bring their bike(s) for display. In case of rain the event will still be held as the pool shelter has a very large covered area for all events. Recumbent owners with a bike to sell can display them at the event but no sales are allowed inside the park due to regulations.
Overnight lodging is available northwest and northeast of the Rally site, off of I-94. To the northwest there is a Red Roof Inn (734) 697-2244, a Comfort Inn (734) 697-2244 and a Super 8 (734)699-1888 off the Belleville Road Exit. To the northeast there are numerous lodging locations off the I-94 Merriman Road exit including a Hampton Inn (734) 721-1100, Fairfield Inn (734) 728-2322, Budgetel Inn (734) 722-6000, Quality Inn (734) 728-2430 as well as a Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton and other chains.
Camping facilities in the area of the Rally are rather limited but the two closest sites are Sterling State Park (288 sites) near Monroe (734) 289-2715 and the Detroit-Greenfield KOA (190 sites) south of Belleville (734) 482-7722.
Willow Metropark has a small snack bar with a very limited menu at the Washago Pond Shelter, just north of the Rally site off the Willow bike path. There is a convenience store/Burger King located just outside the park on South Huron Road just west of I-275 exit 11. There are also eating spots located in the town of New Boston adjacent to Willow Metropark.
While the Rally will not be conducting any formal supported rides, maps with suggested ride routes of 8/20/25/45/62 miles will be available. Also, cyclists can try out the traffic-free, interconnected 25 mile (out and back) bike path system of Willow - Lower Huron -Oakwoods Metroparks. A group recumbent ride will start at the Rally site at 12 noon for a ride on the Metropark path system. Water and restrooms are both are available at the Rally site in the pool shelter area.
To obtain a map of the Willow Metropark, call the park office (800) 477-3182 during normal business hours and one will be mailed. Also ask for a copy of the "Huron Metroparks Hike & Bike Trails" map.
National 24 Hour Challenge
June 14-15, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday)
Join other recumbent cyclists as part of the National 24 Hour Challenge. Not a race but instead a chance to test yourself and set your own record on far you can ride in a 24-hour period. Held in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area with an 8am start on June 19th. Camping available at the start point. (Link). Be advised that this event has a total ban on any and all types of fairings, no matter how small. Event organizers refuse to change this rule due to "safety" or "unfair advantage" reasons.
Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally
June 21-22, 2008 (Saturday and Sunday)
Bicycle racing. Mention the phrase and most people picture very fit 20-year-olds without an ounce of fat riding at unbelievable speeds. But how about some average Joe's out on their bikes on a weekend doing such things as a hill climb contest, a competition to see how far you can coast down a hill or even a going through a timing device to see what you can do as a top speed? If the latter sounds more interesting (and doable), consider becoming a participant in the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally.
The Rally is sponsored by the Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association (MHPVA), a group that concentrates on bicycle development. Many of the MHPVA members build their own bikes (with an emphasis on recumbents) yet the organization is open to all cyclists.
A comment almost always made by new participants at the Rally is that they never knew bike racing could be so much fun and accessible, even for someone who may have never raced before. Both events are open to anyone with a bike, the only requirements being functional brakes for both wheels and two mirrors, one for the left and right sides. While there is a fee for participants, there is no charge for spectators. For those interested, camping will be available at the Rally site on Friday and Saturday evenings (no electrical hookups available although restrooms will be open all night).
The Rally will be held at the Waterford Sportsman's Club from 8am-5pm on Saturday and from 8am-1pm on Sunday. (Link)
Michigan Recumbent Rally - Central
June 28, 2008 (Saturday)
Recumbent test-rides, displays. The event will take place from 10am until 3pm. Held at Holt, Michigan, just south of Lansing at the Holt Pro Cyclery Shop parking lot, 1830 North Cedar Street , on the corner of Cedar Street and Charlar Place, three blocks south of Holt Road. From the intersection of I-96 and US 127, take US 127 south two miles to the Holt Road exit. Go west on Holt Road 1.7 miles to Cedar Street (the second traffic light). Turn left (south) on Cedar Street and the Rally will be on your right. Call 517/694-6702 for more information.
Michigan Recumbent Rally - West
Saturday, September 6th (Saturday)
For 2008, the Michigan Recumbent Rally West will move back to Kalamazoo on the campus of Western Michigan University from 10am until 3pm. Post Rally 4pm ride on the nearby Kal-Haven trail. Participants can stay overnight and participate in the next day’s (Sunday) Vineyard Classic Bike Tour in nearby Paw Paw, Michigan. Further details to be announced.