GLR 2009

Great Lakes Relay
http://www.greatlakesrelay.com/

I did not go to work today but I did run across the great state of Michigan with some other crazy Yahoos.

The Supplies - load up on water, gatorade, and granola... yummy

My buddy 'Muddy' Waters and I eating a local fare

My friend Bill - this is the trail we followed from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan aka "Shore to Shore"

another essential - Beer



A friend who wanted to stop by

My friend Neal - the 'Master Planner'. I would let this guy control the Tarp funds - he is that good


We did it in three days!!



This is what it is all about!

Motown Run

Did you think I would forget to pay homage to the king of Pop?

From my office to Motown is about 8 miles. A nice run and what turned out to be a great day weather wise.





The Motown history

When GM ruled the world, they did it from this building in 1950s.

The three buildings on top use to be WHC for GM. This is where the then CEO, Jack Smith, ordered the demise of Flint.

The Fisher Theatre

I noticed a lot more community green gardens growing around the city. I guess socialism really is a grassroots movement.


Below are some really cool homes on Second Street. For the viewers who went to Wayne State, you may recognize some of these homes.

Masonic Temple

up close Masonic Temple

See you on the road

Historic Indian Village

Once Upon a time, auto barons used to rule the world and when they did, they lived in Historic Indian Village

The morning was too perfect. No humidity, cool, fresh air. I detoured off Gratiot and did a fly by down the best neighborhood of Detroit. I wish I could walked down this street in 1918.

To learn more:
http://www.historicindianvillage.org/



Sorry for the choppy pic, it's the best I can do 18 phr



cafe in the middle of the neighborhood








one of my favorites!

The street I took (Burns) to get there.

Good old fashion Detroit house here.

Can anyone tell me the history of the Sendca Lodge? It's right off Gratiot and Seneca.

I would have like to stay here during it's heyday.

The Storm

This morning's ride was nice -but getting caught in a downpour on the way home was brutal (but cool).

Ladder #60 is my safe haven. When I run home, I stop here for a drink of water and some friendly chit chat. If ever I need help on Gunston, this is where you will find me.


I found a new road in Detroit to take; a lot of homes are being burned or torn down. On this street, as you can see, almost all is back to nature.


The Layfayette Building is next to be torn down in the D. It sits across the now posh Book Cadillac.

The most interesting fact about this gem is that it was designed so that no matter where you sit in the office building, you have a window view. See how the architect cut an inside slice of the building for the peeps in the inside cubicles.

I hope they do not knock down the Layfayette coney place. That is where my bus stop is and sometimes, if I am early, I have been known to sneak in there for a dog before going home. Yummy!
One more pic of the building before demolition. Goodbye old friend.



Now for the way home.... Look it's getting dark and the clouds are rolling in.

This is the last pic before I had to hide the cam equipment. The rain was thicker than pea soup, the winds were howling at 20 mphr, and the roads where flooded to my pedals. Did I stop and get on the bus? This isn't amature hour here, tuck in and plow forward full steam ahead.

Manufacturing Row

Today’s route was on Gunston road. Instead of Schoenherr to Gratiot, I took Groesbeck highway. I know, it sounds like a busy road right? But reality is because of the down economy, all these manufacturing places are either closed or running a skeleton crew. Which means more road for me!

Here is a zombie plant. Right she is sleeping but once the autos start selling cars again, this little gem will be stamping away at whatever tool or die the autos need… right?

Another zombie plant of what is left from the auto days .

Open road again.

The neighbor hood on Gunston looks very cozy. Small all brick homes, oak floors, and plaster walls. It would cost a fortune to have a house built like today. You can buy one right now for 25 Grand. That is a deal!

some more nice homes.