It’s time to hop on a bike and pedal into summer. Whether to save money on the high cost of gasoline, to get a good workout, or for the pure fun of it, the Rochester area offers many options for anyone interested in riding a bicycle.
Beautiful Trails
Paint Creek Trail runs from downtown Rochester to Lake Orion and passes through Rochester Hills, Oakland Township and Orion Township. It was the first “Rails-to-trails” project in the state of Michigan. The 8 ft. wide trail opened to the public in 1983 and 100,000 visitors use the path annually. The trail welcomes many forms of non-motorized traffic including walking, biking, and horseback riding. It runs along the Paint Creek and it’s a beautiful ride spring, summer and fall.
Connecting to the Paint Creek Trail via the River Walk in Rochester is the Clinton River Trail. The Clinton River Trail connects Rochester with Sylvan Lake and runs through Pontiac, Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It connects with the West Bloomfield Trail to the west and the Macomb Orchard Trail to the east.
Free parking is available at many points near all the trails. Download a map and bring a bottle of water. Remember to ring a bell or use a voice warning when passing others on the trail.
National Trails Day
The Paint Creek Trailways Commission and Friends of the Paint Creek Trail are holding their first annual Paint Creek Trail Crawl Cycling Event on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Registration is $25 and the event begins at 8:00 a.m.
Bike Shops
There are two full-service bike shops in the area: The Rochester Bike Shop on Main Street in downtown Rochester and KLM Fitness on Rochester Road in Rochester Hills. Both offer bikes for all ages and all activities. Each shop has all your bike needs, such as helmets and bike racks, and of course name brand bikes. They also offer parts and service, as well as a youth upgrade program. Zach Kinnee at KLM Fitness suggests you “get the right size bike” fit to your height and type of riding you plan to do. His shop offers “test rides.” The average price range for a new bike is $400-$700. However, enthusiasts can spend up to $10,000 for top-of-the-line.
Bike Clubs
The Rochester Bike Shop and KLM Fitness have bike clubs for those wishing to join with others for group rides, training and races. The Rochester Mills Beer Co. in downtown Rochester also has a bike club. And the Slow Spokes bike club offers many rides in the area. There is a small annual fee to join the club of your choice. However, most clubs offer members a club t-shirt, discounts, and access to special events.
For more information … Paint Creek Trail and National Trails Day www.paintcreektrail.org Clinton River Trail www.clintonrivertrail.org Rochester Bike Shop www.rochesterbikeshop.com KLM Fitness Bike Shop www.klmfitness.com Rochester Mill Beer Co. Bike Club www.beercos.com Slow Spokes Bike Club www.slowspokes.org “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” ~John F. KennedyBy Michael Dwyer
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