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This is a description of my usual (80%) ride. I ride pretty much year round - long johns, flannel jeans (LL Bean), turtle neck, ski sweater, and of course leathers. If the roads arent wet and slippery - I ride. I kinda like the looks I get on a clear Christmas day. I have a 85 GS 1150.
I live in a suburb just north of Detroit called St Clair Shores. My ride takes me along Jefferson Ave. About a 1/2 mile from my house you ride thru what is called the "Nautical Mile". An area along Jefferson from 10 mile road to 9 mile road with many nice and very nice restaurants (most serving Guiness on draft), at one time this area boasted "most boats in 1 mile in the USA". Havent heard that one lately - someone must have visited Miami. Lots of Marina and watering holes. The next area is the 1st of 5 Grosse Pointes. An Affluint area with a great history and many large homes. The first home you pass is the Edsel Ford estate (son of Henry). Most estates are gone, now occupied by what is refered to as "MC mansions". Still large and pretty home on smaller lots. After about 2 to 3 miles Jefferson Ave changes its name to Lakeshore Rd and runs along the shore of Lake St Clair with homes on one side of the street. This is the main draw of this ride. In summer Lake St Clair is filled with boats. This area has many sailors and it is very common (and quite picturesque) to see large groups of sailboats competing in a regatta. Along with the sailors you will see all sorts and sizes of motor (stink) boats and great lakes freighters. While riding this area you will pass a few small peninsulas that jut into the lake which are either yacht clubs or municipal parks. All very picturesque and cottagy. Great area to pull over and people watch (lots of female joggers). People watching and motorcycles dont mix. Lakeshore runs for approx 4 mile and then turn back into Jefferson, with homes on both sides again. Still very nice ride with very pretty and well manicured properties. One thing I need to mention (should have started here), Grosse Pointe puts alot of importance in it's Police dept. And the many Police you will see put alot of importance in you doing the speed limit (exspecially motorcycles). So as we continue along (doing MAYBE 4mph over the 35 limit) after approx 4 to 5 more miles we come to the Detroit / Grosse Pointe border. Yeh - they call it the "border", like we are changing countries. On my short ride I turn around here and head home which gives me approx 1 to 1 & 1/2 hour ride (my wifes favorite). On my long ride I cross the border into Detroit. This is where I become a street fighter. I really like Detroit, but, in order to get pulled over for a traffic infraction, I am convinced you first have to wave your gun out the window. On with the ride - welcome to the east side of Detroit. Looks like bombed out Beruit. There is alot of new being built, but, this area is famous for houses that burn on devils night. Just before Halloween we used to get invaded by film crews (some international) documenting the arson frenzy that used to accor. They found most fires were started by absentee landlords attempting to cash in on the insurance. This part of the ride involves higher speeds (limit still 35) and alot of urban manuevers. Keeps you on your toes and shows you that your bike is running right. Still quite a bit here to see - most not that pretty. After 5 to 6 miles of mad max - you enter downtown Detroit. I do a couple of "drive by's". Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings), Comerica Park (Tigers), Ford Stadium (Lions) then stop at my favorite place - Laffeyette Coney Island, 2 on 1 - xtra onions lite chilly. After my snack - on the way home - I do 1 lap around Belle Isle (Belyile if your from Detroit) same way New Orleans becomes one word. Belle Isle is an island(duh) in the middle of the Detroit river, city owned, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. Same guy that designed Central Park in New York. Now on Fri and Sat night you have to deal with all the party people on the island. And being white - I am definatally in the minority, but, if your not an idiot, nothing will happen. Beautiful island with many old statues commemorating different war hero's and a large fountain that is lit at night. The Detroit Grand Prix is held on this island. After Belle Isle I get back on Jefferson and head home. The long version takes approx 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours. Add time if you stop at a pub for Guiness. If more than 1 - I wait till I am home to consume. If anyone comes to Detroit - I would be happy to show around.
I live in a suburb just north of Detroit called St Clair Shores. My ride takes me along Jefferson Ave. About a 1/2 mile from my house you ride thru what is called the "Nautical Mile". An area along Jefferson from 10 mile road to 9 mile road with many nice and very nice restaurants (most serving Guiness on draft), at one time this area boasted "most boats in 1 mile in the USA". Havent heard that one lately - someone must have visited Miami. Lots of Marina and watering holes. The next area is the 1st of 5 Grosse Pointes. An Affluint area with a great history and many large homes. The first home you pass is the Edsel Ford estate (son of Henry). Most estates are gone, now occupied by what is refered to as "MC mansions". Still large and pretty home on smaller lots. After about 2 to 3 miles Jefferson Ave changes its name to Lakeshore Rd and runs along the shore of Lake St Clair with homes on one side of the street. This is the main draw of this ride. In summer Lake St Clair is filled with boats. This area has many sailors and it is very common (and quite picturesque) to see large groups of sailboats competing in a regatta. Along with the sailors you will see all sorts and sizes of motor (stink) boats and great lakes freighters. While riding this area you will pass a few small peninsulas that jut into the lake which are either yacht clubs or municipal parks. All very picturesque and cottagy. Great area to pull over and people watch (lots of female joggers). People watching and motorcycles dont mix. Lakeshore runs for approx 4 mile and then turn back into Jefferson, with homes on both sides again. Still very nice ride with very pretty and well manicured properties. One thing I need to mention (should have started here), Grosse Pointe puts alot of importance in it's Police dept. And the many Police you will see put alot of importance in you doing the speed limit (exspecially motorcycles). So as we continue along (doing MAYBE 4mph over the 35 limit) after approx 4 to 5 more miles we come to the Detroit / Grosse Pointe border. Yeh - they call it the "border", like we are changing countries. On my short ride I turn around here and head home which gives me approx 1 to 1 & 1/2 hour ride (my wifes favorite). On my long ride I cross the border into Detroit. This is where I become a street fighter. I really like Detroit, but, in order to get pulled over for a traffic infraction, I am convinced you first have to wave your gun out the window. On with the ride - welcome to the east side of Detroit. Looks like bombed out Beruit. There is alot of new being built, but, this area is famous for houses that burn on devils night. Just before Halloween we used to get invaded by film crews (some international) documenting the arson frenzy that used to accor. They found most fires were started by absentee landlords attempting to cash in on the insurance. This part of the ride involves higher speeds (limit still 35) and alot of urban manuevers. Keeps you on your toes and shows you that your bike is running right. Still quite a bit here to see - most not that pretty. After 5 to 6 miles of mad max - you enter downtown Detroit. I do a couple of "drive by's". Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings), Comerica Park (Tigers), Ford Stadium (Lions) then stop at my favorite place - Laffeyette Coney Island, 2 on 1 - xtra onions lite chilly. After my snack - on the way home - I do 1 lap around Belle Isle (Belyile if your from Detroit) same way New Orleans becomes one word. Belle Isle is an island(duh) in the middle of the Detroit river, city owned, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. Same guy that designed Central Park in New York. Now on Fri and Sat night you have to deal with all the party people on the island. And being white - I am definatally in the minority, but, if your not an idiot, nothing will happen. Beautiful island with many old statues commemorating different war hero's and a large fountain that is lit at night. The Detroit Grand Prix is held on this island. After Belle Isle I get back on Jefferson and head home. The long version takes approx 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours. Add time if you stop at a pub for Guiness. If more than 1 - I wait till I am home to consume. If anyone comes to Detroit - I would be happy to show around.
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