Spring was quickly getting run out of town with the third day in the 80’s. I was concerned with fruit bearing trees being exposed to another blow of winter breath. Wow it feels like summer! Jen was ready to ride, so was Dan, geese kids again, Yup! As we started to gather around we soon found ourselves joined by Amber, Connie from the Suicide Squad, James and Lauren feeling right and what would it be without late coming Mike, riding in from Ferndale and ready to bike.

Tonight’s ride was a visual honor. Colors of the spoke to the wheel ready to ride; diversity is the celebration of life. The silencer to the monolog that keeps us all apart is the bike, the trail or the ride. Dan was willing to take point as tonight’s ride was not planned out/informal. We sharked by HJ’s to see if anyone was around, circling back we pedestrian bridged our way to Buchannan and headed out to the way west.

Street after street on the outside of Mexican town, which might as well be called Mexican city given how far north and west it really has expanded was alive with community life. The smell of home cooked food was thick floating through the warm air. The view was filled with families spilling over from patios onto steps and walkways, then into their yards, and in some wonderful occasions, right into the street! Sweeping in the back I was able to say hello to so many people 1/2 in English and half Ola if you please. Okay at first maybe there could have been some judgment, or perhaps a little of that conversation in the head? Jen would say “oooh wait”, then the smile, then say hello, sure is a nice day today.

Heading South on Springwells it was feeling a little rushed. Only Charlie’s place left open on the west side. They unlocked the back patio, we brought our bikes in and were picnicking about when Dan emerged with 8) award winning PBR’s. Amber made mention of being here last year, the others smiled on in and soon the much anticipated Taco Truck Debate was upon us. From there we flew south to Jefferson in the Delray. Quick stop Ma Kovacs, circa 1896 and sadly we think the place is presently^ forever closed . Darting down Jefferson, Dan thought he could talk the Ft Wayne security Guard into a quick sharking but we were denied. Continued Bridge underpass, “yeah we closed down Jefferson Ave in the name of fear!” merry-go-around-to- fort right on downtown. Right again at the modified watershed hill, we found Jefferson Again. Back side Post Office sprint behind us; we caught our breath as we all turned onto the river walk for some people surfing.

Unlike other nights, tonight the river walk was wonderfully aglow with many, many people. First the fishermen, then the families, then the lovers, then the clowns, we all surfed on through in and around. Sooner or later designated traffic lanes will have to be addressed and provided, if not it may very well become a Chicago kind of walk. Anyways, we slowly- nicely, (Okay Suicide Connie had every right to speak up) but still felt nice making it our way through, onto to St. Andrews.

Another PBR and soon we were off onto the Sprint Cup Dequindre Cut to Eastern Market and then back onto MCB. Amber was off to her conference call, were as others pow-we-vowed and confirmed the circle.

Bike Detroit! J. Meyers, Bike Explorer