Experiencing the Motor City on two-wheels
Brandon Burbank
| 2 min read
Every Monday night, a community of cyclists comes together like no other for a common goal; to promote biking in the Motor City. Hundreds of people of all ages riding fixie, bmx, single-speed, road bike, mountain bike, cruiser, fat-tire (you name it!) show up to discover scenic Detroit on two wheels.
Detroit Bike City Co-Founders Jason Hall and Mike MacKool began this weekly bike ride back in 2010 known as Slow Roll. It has become the largest weekly bike ride in Michigan. Each Monday, the Slow Roll team meets at a pre-determined spot at 6:30 p.m., and after a rundown of the rules of the ride, participants begin riding promptly at 7 p.m.
Each and every rider displays a unique personality proudly through the bike they’re riding. Some bikes gleam with LED lights, others have sound-systems playing music throughout the ride. There are even riders who have trailer buggies for their kids or dogs.
If you haven’t experienced Detroit on a bicycle, I highly recommend it. There’s a lot more to this city than the Riverfront, Ford Field and Comerica Park. Slow Roll costs nothing to participate, but donations are encouraged to keep the ride alive.
These rides are meant to be very relaxed, casual-paced rides. If you’re a new rider, take a moment to get a quick refresher on proper bike safety before attending Slow Roll. This will help prepare you to avoid any foreseeable problems prior to the ride.
For more information on Slow Roll, visit www.slowroll.bike.
Photo credit: Brandon Burbank
