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It's biking weather -- well, sort of -- and the season's first Slow Roll through the city starts at noon Sunday from Eastern Market, an hour after participants are invited to start gathering and buy required new membership cards.
Typically, rides take place Monday evening and draw as many as 2,000 participants.
A colorful backdrop during Sunday's inaugural ride of 2015.
(Instagram photo by Todd Hind)
A $10 fee for formerly free two-wheeling is a notable change, as is the coordinating group's application for nonprofit status. Here's part of the explanation at the website of Detroit Bike City, Inc., which runs the events:
All riders must register for an annual membership with Slow Roll that offers discounts, special offers, and the ability to support the ride and keep us all rolling safely! . . .
We have been working with city officials behind the scenes, and our sheer numbers now mean we have to do more to keep everyone safe, neighbors happy and to better coordinate with the community. That means we’re taking big steps – and incurring big costs – to obtain permits, police support for traffic control, event insurance and more. . . .
The fee covers 30 rides and is waived on request -- "quietly, confidentially and with no questions asked. We trust our community not to abuse this offer."
Parents who buy two membership can include kids for free. And those who spring for a $50 premium membership get a T-shirt, 20-percent merchandise discounts and "exclusive invites."
Participants must check in electronically as each ride starts by flashing their card or smart phone membership code.
Mike McCool, who co-founced Slow Roll with Jason Hall in 2010, talks about it in a WXYZ newscast segment below that also includes Jeff Waraniak from Hour Detroit: The activity has grown into Michigan's largest weekly bike ride and the trademarked name has expanded to Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago and five other cities.
