Slow Roll Detroit

Another exciting thing to do in Detroit is to participate in the bike tour called slow roll.  This is a great opportunity to explore different areas of Detroit as well.  The tour explores neighborhoods, historic locations, and unique spots around the city.  This activity runs every Monday night in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Riders typically meet starting at 6:00 PM, and rolling starts at 6:30 PM.  The tour is about two hours and covers an average of 9 to 14 miles.  This bike tour is offered to everyone, including kids, because the slow pace keeps everyone together safely.  To ensure safety, volunteers wear yellow shirts and help guide everyone.  A strict rider safety code is provided that every rider must abide by.  One does not need any special skills, or an expensive bike to participate; any bike will do.  The meeting locations are different every week at different bars and restaurants near downtown and midtown.  The routes are never the same either.  Some of them have a theme attached.  For example, tonight is Halloween with a best costume contest.  Even though tonight is the last slow roll of the season, riders participate rain or shine April through October.  Slow Roll is also organized in 8 other cities as well.

When I attended my first event, I could not believe the huge turnout of participants.  There are sometimes thousands of riders!  Organizers want this event to become the largest weekly ride around the world, and have opportunities for others to start a similar event in other cities and states.  There is a nonprofit company that will even help a new organizer get started.  What I enjoyed most about this event was socializing with new people and also getting a good workout at the same time.  At times it can be hard to meet new people and these events give people a chance to hangout before or after the bike tour and develop new friendships.  The best part I forgot to mention is its FREE!!!

River Walk: Segway Tours

One site Detroit has to offer is the wonderful downtown river walk.  I strongly encourage everyone to visit this area when you come down to Detroit.  It is amazing to see what they have done to restore a once industrial area to a pristine community recreation area.  It’s absolutely beautiful to see across the water to Canada.  The river walk is presently three and half miles long, extending from Joe Louis Arena to Gabriel Richard Park, with plans to expand from the MacArthur Bridge to the Ambassador Bridge.  The river walk has many events going on and something for everyone; for children the river walk includes a carousel and playground.  It offers a volleyball court with a sitting area and refreshments.

One particular activity that I have partaken is the Segway tour offered along the walk.  This is a wonderful way to take in and tour the downtown area.  One can rent a Segway for a two hour guided tour.  I highly recommend this unique way to tour the city and river walk.  Other tour options range from one and a half to three hours depending on how comfortable one is riding a Segway.  Guides provide instruction on how to operate a Segway suitable for beginners in a practice area prior to starting the tour.  This is not only a great way to see parts of the Downtown area, but also an affordable opportunity to try out a unique piece of transportation technology.  Different tours packages are available to suit budget and time constraints.  One can explore the downtown area, the river walk, or the surrounding neighborhood operating May through October.  Prices range from $40.00 - $75.00.  Unguided Segway rentals are also available if one desires to explore with no tour guide.  You won’t regret taking the time to experience this unique two wheeled adventure in downtown Detroit.

New Business: Punch Bowl Social

I currently live in downtown Detroit and have been for the last few years. I want to discuss and share more about what downtown has to offer.  Since I have been down there, I have seen many new businesses coming in.  Downtown has been trying to bring more young adults to the city with more entertainment and luxury lofts.  I live in an area that has been changing a lot with billionaire Quicken Loans mogul Dan Gilbert buying many buildings in the downtown area. One of the newest additions he had added next to my building was a parking garage with the first level open for retail space.  Since the garage was open last year, a few businesses have already entered the space; 7 Greens Detroit Salad, Nojo Kicks and Citizen Yoga.

These businesses are great additions and add vibrancy to the downtown retail space not seen in decades.  This is going to really bring more people downtown, which should have a snow ball effect and bring even more businesses!  Unfortunately all the additional traffic will make it not so nice for us residents.  Adjacent to my building in the first floor of the Z parking structure is an upcoming bar and restaurant Punch Bowl Social.  This is a game themed restaurant/ bar that will open with bowling, ping pong, vintage games and many other entertainment items.  This restaurant chain is already operating in a few other cities including Denver Colorado, Portland Organ and Austin Texas.  I think this is a great opportunity for Detroit because there is nothing like this in the rest of the metro area.  The concept is really unique that will provide something for everyone.