A trail fundraiser ride from our friends south of the border at Bike Friendly Windsor:

Essex Rotary club has paired up with the Essex Region Conservation Authority to raise money for developing the Chrysler Greenway between McGregor and Essex.

They are holding a Bike-a-thon at 10am Monday, September 6th with two route choices: CO-AN park to Harrow and back (25km) or CO-AN park to Kingsville and back (55km).

Registration forms can be picked up at any United Communities Credit Union branch in Essex County.

Co-An Park is located at 11071 11th Concession, McGregor in Ontario, Canada.

Earlier this month we attended a public meeting in Southwest Detroit to discuss the westward expansion of the Detroit RiverWalk. This would be the 2-mile segment of RiverWalk from Joe Louis to West Grand Boulevard/Riverside Park.

The interest was very high as the room quickly filled to standing room only.

The initial plans looked great to us. This portion of the RiverWalk would look more like Belle Isle than the often hard-surfaced RiverWalk East. This is due in part to the larger land holdings, including the old Free Press printing plant site and Riverside Park. Of course the railyard in between adds a significant challenge.

It was noted that being able to bike and walk under the Ambassador Bridge would be quite a sight and quite a unique draw. It was good to see Dan Stamper of the Detroit Bridge Company in attendance to show their apparent support of the RiverWalk West concept.

A recent Model D article also added:

Faye Alexander Nelson, president and CEO of the Conservancy, had to remind the audience on several occasions that the planning is beginning now and the community will be a big component of the process.

“This will be challenging,” [Conservancy Chair Matt] Cullen says. “But a real exciting opportunity.”

The Conservancy says they’ll continue to have public meetings as the process for the West Riverfront moves a long.

Raising the millions in funding for this project is a major task, but the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has a track record of getting it done. We see no reason why this won’t come to fruition.

Rick Snyder, the Republican candidate for Michigan governor picked State Representative Brian Calley as his running mate.

Calley, 33, is relatively unknown outside Lansing, but will bring conservative credentials and experience in state government to the GOP ticket as its candidate for lieutenant governor.

He’s not that unknown. He did consistently vote against the Compete Streets legislation.

But perhaps more worrisome was his House Bill 4204 which tried to divert at least half of the money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund towards fishing and hunting programs. Currently that money is used to acquire park and natural areas, as well as for developing parks and trails.

The Trust Fund should be used to build upon Michigan’s natural resources and recreational heritage — not to stock fish.

Fortunately it appears the Trust Fund’s current funding focus supports two points in Snyder’s 10-point plan.

4. Create An Environment That Will Keep Our Youth — Our Future — In Michigan
7. Protect Michigan’s Environment

Down the road, cyclists, trail users and others may need to remind him of that.

From the People’s Yoga Detroit web site:

YOGA FOR CYCLISTS WORKSHOP
Saturday, August 28, 3-5pm $20
with Caitlin Brown

Caitlin is an avid cyclist and yogi. She went on a three month bicycle tour in summer 2008 and has since become a car-free, dedicated cyclist. During her bike trip she found that not only did her regular yoga practice, but also the timely guidance from her Marianne Wells Yoga Instructor, allowed her to stay flexible and helped her become more in touch with her body. Cultivating body/mind awareness in yoga helped her realize early… when a body part was overworking or overcompensating for another when riding, allowing her to fix the imbalance before injury occurred. Deep yogic breathing helped her control her breath on steep uphills. The focus and meditation yoga encourages helped her have patience during a particularly long or grueling day.

Since the trip Caitlin has become a certified yoga teacher at the 200hr level and has loved sharing her passion for yoga. She is excited to be able to combine her loves of yoga and biking, which to her is a very important coupling. In this workshop students will explore asanas or postures that will open and release areas particularly tight in cyclists, such as the hips, quads, hamstrings, low back and shoulders. In addition, the workshop will explore how a regular yoga practice, with a focus not only on movement but on breath, meditation, and mind/body awareness, can benefit all cyclists, from the occasional leisurely cruisers to professional racers.

Yoga can inspire and inform meaningful personal change and People’s Yoga creates a safe, inclusive and non-judgmental space where ALL are welcome to explore empowerment through new ways of breathing, moving and simply being. Common ground in our diverse community is found through the breath and we practice from that foundation.

Doors open a half an hour before class. Enter on MLK and please lock your bike inside. We practice in the 2nd floor gym. Yoga Mats are available, but we encourage you to bring your own if you have one!

Spirit of Hope Church – 1519 Martin Luther King at Trumbull
To register please email caitlin@peoplesyogadetroit.org – Space is limited
More Info: http://peoplesyogadetroit.org/ – 313.316.1411

Tomorrow, August 27th is another Critical Mass Ride in Detroit. The rides leaves at 7 PM from the corner of Trumbull and Warren.

As you may know Critical Mass rides began in San Francisco. On Facebook, 1,233 people like the San Francisco Critical Mass compared with 979 for Detroit’s. It’s surprisingly those numbers are not that far apart.

There are thee other events planned in conjunction with the tomorrow’s ride in Detroit.

First is a Pre-Critical Mass Ride that begins at 5pm at the Rivard Plaza on the RiverWalk.

Second is an Aftermass Firkin Ride with $2 Motor City Brewing Weeks Firkin pints at the Cass Cafe, Park Bar, Foran’s, and Third Street Saloon.

And third is movie night at the beautiful Peck Park. According to Wheelhouse Detroit:

We are happy to partner with Walk-in Theatre to present a double feature of TRON and Breaking Away this Friday night! Come after Critical Mass!