Download
EcoRide
Brochure
Sponsor
a Rider
(online)
EcoRide
Community
Support
Hudson Mills
Park Map
Previous Years:
EcoRide 2005:
Great Weather!
More Riders!
More Pledges!
EcoRide 2001
Photos:
30th EcoRide!
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U P D A T E :
Thanks for a Great EcoRide!
The weather was perfect for the 2007 EcoRide on June 24, and we hope that everyone who joined us at Hudson Mills Metropark had as much fun as we did. We'd love to hear what you thought about our new location, new routes, new online registration tool, and the event in general. Please send your comments and feedback to Lacey.
You still have time
to raise pledges!
Money turned in by July 20 will qualify you for great prizes from local businesses, including a new bike from Two Wheel Tango! Even if you missed the EcoRide, you can still do an honor ride on your own, raise money to help the environment, and win prizes. You can email your friends and see how your fundraising is going online. Help us meet our goal of raising $40,000 for a safe and healthy environment!
EcoRide 2007
Holds New Surprises!
Are you ready for the amazing new changes to this year's EcoRide? Back by popular demand, the EcoRide has returned to its historic roots on the west side of the Ann Arbor area. After spending the last three years on the east side at Greenhills School, this year riders will be departing from and returning to Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, a familiar and beautiful site for many of our participants. In addition to some great views of the meandering Huron River, the new site offers a lot for families, including a 3.5-mile paved bike trail (the Loop Route) completely contained within the park, a playground, softball diamond, and nature trail. That is, of course, in addition to all of the fantastic EcoRide music, children's games, food, and other festivities you know and love, with some fun surprises in store as well.
The routes from Hudson Mills are enjoying a freshening up, with new lengths of 10-, 25-, 50-, and a tantalizing Century (100-mile) Route. Riders have the opportunity for more choices, especially those choosing longer lengths, as the routes will form interchangeable loops across a variety of scenic terrains.
Another exciting addition this year
is
that registration has gone electronic!
Our website is be set up for participants to register, pay, and raise pledges all from the convenience of their computer.** Every aspect of registration will be available online, whether you want to print pledge forms, fill out waivers, pre-order EcoRide merchandise, log-in pledge checks, and more.... all you'll have to do is check-in at the ride! The best part about the online registration is that riders can create their own personalized Pledge Page, complete with a picture and message to friends, family, co-workers and other riders. It's a place where goals for fundraising can be set and tracked, emails can be sent out requesting pledges, and everyone can see the front-runners in fundraising, which should create some healthy pre-Ride competition! The top fundraisers have the ability to win prize packages, including the Grand Prize of a new bicycle, provided by Two Wheel Tango.
>>> Sponsor a Rider
** NOTE: Online ride registration is now closed, but you can still register to ride at the event! If you're already registered online, you can continue using your web page to raise pledges!
You can also download the EcoRide brochure in pdf format.
It includes a registration form and a sponsor sign up sheet.
For more information about this year's EcoRide
and how you can participate or help out,
email Lacey or call (734) 761-3186 x120.
All proceeds from the EcoRide
benefit the Ecology Center's work
for a safe and healthy environment
where people live, work and play.
EcoFriendly EcoRide
In 2006, for the first time in its history, our annual EcoRide was “climate neutral” thanks to the generosity of Clif Bar. From carbon credits to sugarcane-based plates to good old-fashioned conservation and recycling, we wish to show that big events don’t have to be big polluters. For more details, see this article in the May/June 2006 issue of our newsletter, From the Ground Up.
Be Ready to Ride:
- Always wear a bicycle helmet
- Have your bike in good repair
- Observe all traffic laws: obey all traffic signs and signals; ride to the right of the lane or path; signal for turns and stops; don't bike more than two abreast; please be courteous to pedestrians, other cyclists and motorists.
- Remember to bring: filled water bottle, sunscreen, extra inner tube
- Cyclists should try a practice ride or two at the chosen distance before ride day. This is strongly recommended for the two longer routes.
Routes & Schedules
Registration opens at 7 a.m. Registration will run until noon. Riders, based on their ability, should time the start of their ride so as to finish back at the River Grove Site in Hudson Mills no later than 2pm.
3.5 Mile Loop
Start 10am–Noon (11:00*)
Riders & Walkers!
This flat terrain hike-bike loop is perfect for families and those who want a relaxing view of a lagoon and the Huron River. Safe and entirely contained within Hudson Mills. Walkers and rollerbladers welcome!
10 Miles (10:00*)
This trip along the Huron River is great for families and intermediate riders. Want to keep riding? Hop onto the 3.5 Mile loop within Hudson Mills Metropark and add as many laps as you like at your own pace.
25 Miles (9:30*)
Heading northeast from Hudson Mills, there are a good amount of hills to keep the ride interesting. The trip goes up to Hamburg on paved straight-away roads and then heads back to Hudson Mills for lunch. Want to keep riding? After lunch, connect with a 25-mile section of our Century Route.
50 Miles (8:30*)
Beginning along the same route as the 25 Mile trip, it then continues north up through Livingston County. This trip can be challenging as it goes through meandering and scenic roads. It then connects back to the 25 Mile route as it returns to Hudson Mills. Want to keep riding? Turn this into a 75 Mile or 100 Mile trip by riding parts of the back half of The Century.
100 Miles (Century) (7:15*)
Get ready for the challenge of a century ride! The first half is the same as the 50 Mile route, ending back at Hudson Mills for lunch, relaxation, and reuniting with anyone doing the shorter routes. The 2nd half heads northwest of Hudson Mills. Through Hell and around Waterloo Recreation Area, this has rolling hills on some winding roads in a picturesque area, making it a heck of a ride.
* Group start time for each ride — for riders who wish to meet others and ride in pairs or small groups.
Click
here for information
on
Ecology Center membership.
EcoRide is listed on the
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
ride calendar: www.aabts.org