Yesterday 60 cyclists rode where no one had in more than 30 years — on the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit to Windsor.

This was the inaugural Bike the Bridge event, a special group ride which worked out the details with the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) as well as U.S. and Canadian Customs.

The DIBC closed the Detroit-to-Windsor side of the bridge to motorized traffic during the ride over. They also placed mats over the expansion joints to help prevent any tire damage.

It took about 20 minutes for the cyclists to clear the bridge. That’s not too bad considering this is the tallest hill climb in Detroit.

Once in Canada, the group was met by Alan Halberstadt, a Windsor City Councillor and member of the Windsor Bicycle Committee. Halberstadt led the group on a tour of historic village of Sandwich and the Windsor’s Riverfront bike trail.

Halberstadt did mention that if the DIBC builds a second span across the Detroit River, they have mentioned keeping the existing bridge open and possibly available for non-motorized traffic. It’s still far too early to speculate whether than will happen or not.

The new proposed public bridge (called the DRIC) does plan to provide bike and pedestrian access.

The ride continued to a Windsor park where the group was fed. The 51st annual Tour di Via Italia bike race was just a few blocks away on Erie Street.

For the return to Detroit, the bicycle were loaded onto a rental truck and Transit Windsor provided two buses.

Biking in Windsor, Ontario is really a nearby gem, but unfortunately Detroit cyclists can’t just ride to it — at least not yet. Having a convenient, year round non-motorized international connection across the Detroit River would really increase the appeal of biking in the Detroit-Windsor area.

Link: Photos from Bike the Bridge

The 5th annual Green Cruise will be in Ferndale this Saturday — the green alternative to the Woodward Dream Cruise. The Sierra Club organizes this event to celebrate human-powered transportation options.

The Green Cruise offers a few riding opportunities for cyclists at all levels and ages.

• 8 AM – 21 mile recreational ride
• 9 AM – 5 mile family ride
• 10:30 AM – half-mile parade to celebrate green forms of transit. Costumes and decorated bikes are encouraged. The parade starts at 11 AM.

All rides start and finish at the Green Alley at Nine Mile Road and Planavon, just west of Woodward in Ferndale.

Bring a helmet, and if you under 12, bring an adult too.

And, there’s more than biking at the event.

This time of year, it can be difficult finding a good reason to brave the weather and ride your bike.

Here’s a good reason.

Next Saturday is a ride to benefit the Gleaner’s Food Bank in Detroit.  The ride starts at noon from The Hub (3611 Cass Avenue in Detroit).  We’ll ride around to several local grocery stores and buy non-perishable can goods.  You’ll need to bring about $10 to $15 and a bag to carry the cans.

Last year’s Gleaners ride was a great time despite the rain.

And don’t forget that the nearby Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks program is looking for donated tools, especially bike tools.  This might be a good opportunity to double your donations.

Detroit Synergy has been putting on some great rides recently. One of the themed rides was the Java Junket. We rode to the more unique and cool coffee shops in Detroit and Hamtramck. The early November weather cooperated. Special thanks to Tom, Club 1923, and the Bureau of Urban Living for putting this together.