Congratulations to Detroit Bike City and their plans to open a bike shop in Woodbridge. The Huffinton Post has a fine writeup about this welcomed news.

It’s known as “The Shack.” For nearly seven years, the little carriage house located on Merrick and Trumbull in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood has served as an underground music venue for DJs and rock-and-rollers.

But now the space is getting retooled as a venue with a little less music and a little more clangs and bangs — a bicycle shop specializing in custom and vintage bikes.

Shinola is also working on a bicycle retail outlet not too far away.

And there are often rumors of other established bicycle retail operations expanding.

What’s striking about each of these is their uniqueness. Not only are they unique among themselves, but they are unique compared with the two typical suburban bike shops models: the mom & pop and the big store/chain.

More retail options for Detroiters is always good. Still, it’s interesting that you can’t find a Trek, Specialized or Giant dealer across the city’s 139 square miles.

Is that a big deal?

A bicycle show returns to Detroit this Saturday at Cobo Center from 10am until 6pm.

More details and ticket information is on their web site, Detroit Bike City.

We’re not sure how long it’s been since the last one, but it’s been 116 years since the first one. Welcome back!

One of the promoters, Jason Hall did this interview with ClickOnDetroit. The entire promotion crew was on WDET as well.

MacKool says the region has such a rich bike culture, an event like this was long overdue.

Absolutely!

There are a couple related rides that morning as well.

The Wolverine Sport Club is leading a ride from Downtown Royal Oak which leaves from the fountain Area between the library and city hall. The show has bike valet parking, so cyclists can easily visit the show and not worry about their ride home.

The other ride is a casual, free tour led by Tom Page of Detroit Synergy:

The Fifth Annual Detroit Bikes! Spring Training Ride (STR for short) is a sports themed event in which the riders will cruise past current and past Detroit sports venues, including Comerica Park, Ford Field, Tiger Stadium (RIP), Olympia Stadium (RIP), Recreation Park, Veterans Memorial Park in Hamtramck (former home of the Detroit Stars) and others.

Ride Starts: 10 AM sharp at the Millennium Bell, Grand Circus Park, downtown Detroit. Registration at 0930.
Distance of ride: approximately 16 miles (about 26 kilometers)
Length: approximately two and a half hours (150 metric minutes for our Canadian friends)
Pace: Relaxed, non-competitive pace, suitable for all experience levels
Helmets: Required!
Dress: Show your Detroit sports pride by wearing your favorite Detroit team’s T-shirt, hat, bandanna, flag, socks, wristbands, whatever!
Rain Date: NONE! The ride will take place regardless of rain, snow, earthquakes, federal indictments, and consent decrees. There is no rain date! As long as one person shows up (in addition to me, of course!) the show will go on!

A high of 72F is forecast for Saturday so it should be a great day all around.

A new event from the Bikes and Murder scheduled for March 24, 2012 from 10am until 6pm at Cobo Center.

Detroit’s first Bicycle Show and Swap Meet. Offering 100+ vendors from all over the midwest an opportunity to show, sell and swap bicycles, parts, and everything bikes. This event is held at Cobo Center and brought to you by Detroit’s own Bikes and Murder.

Link to the Detroit Bike City web site (More information, registration, etc.)

Link to the event on Facebook

[Ed. The first bike show in Detroit was actually in 1896, but this is the first one in a while.]