It might be January, and it might be pretty darn cold outside but it can still be a great time for a bike ride.
The folks at Back Alley Bikes want you to join in on the 5th annual Bike The Blizzard bike-a-thon on January 15 through January 16. The 24 hour bike-a-thon is a way for BAB to raise money for the programs that they offer through the year. Mechanics in Training, Youth Earn A Bike, and the Youth Open Shop are just a few of the great programs they offer to the community.
Don’t be afraid to hear the words “24 hour bike-a-thon,” you won’t actually be biking all 24 hours. BAB encourages that riders form groups, that way you can all take turns participating in the ride.
There will also be an area to catch some shut eye in the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation (CCNDC) during the event.
If you’re interested in pulling your bike out for the bike-a-thon there are several route options that loop around the city. There will be volunteers available to assist riders, both on the road and in the shop.
There will be three group rides during the bike-a-thon the kick off ride starts at 12:00 a.m on January 15, the “Blizzard Mass” ride will be at 3:00 p.m, and the closing ride will be at 11:00 p.m.
If you get hungry, there will be snacks and drinks available. There will also be two meals served.
There also will be a warming station for those participating at Wheelhouse Detroit in Hamtramck from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. You can find the event information right here.
There is a $50 donation minimum, but of course if you raise more money they will be super cool with that. The deadline for your payment is January 14.
Last year’s bike-a-thon had more than 40 riders that biked over 3,000 miles. They also raised over $11,000.
If this sounds like your idea of a good time for a good cause, you can register online.
The bike-a-thon begins at midnight on January 15 and continues through to midnight of January 16.
Check in for registrants will be in the community room of CCNDC.
Back Alley Bikes is located at 3611 Cass Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201