I have talked to one or two people who were interested in biking out to the club. For the uninitiated, I have written up a small guide to biking to MSC:
Some Context
I ride an electric bike to the club due to some health issues I have. My experience may differ from yours. I work at a bike shop and have been biking for a long time. I am open to questions, and may be able to help you if you want to know more than what is in here.
What You Will Need
- A bike. It should be in good working order, as MSC is somewhat remote. Minimize the chance of breakdowns! Your bike should be able to handle a couple miles of dirt roads. Keep in mind that the dirt roads may be unsuitable for a road bike, especially in wet conditions, due to their smooth, narrow tires.
- A flat kit and multitool. Know how to fix a flat tire, at a minimum.
- Some way to carry things. A rack and panniers is the best option. A backpack might suffice if you are traveling very light. A trailer is an option for those looking for more carrying capacity, but is heavy and adds rolling resistance, so is best suited for electric bikes.
- A way of contacting help. Breakdowns, injuries, etc. do happen. Getting to MSC involves venturing away from populated areas, and help may not be within walking distance. We all have phones now, so make sure yours is charged!
- Food and water. MSC is, at a minimum, a half hour ride from food, and you will need water when riding.
- Lights. You will have to bike on the road with cars, and visibility is a must. A flashing red taillight and solid white headlight will ensure fast-approaching drivers can see you from far away. If you might ride in the dark, make sure your front light will help you see. Some bike lights, especially less expensive ones, are “daytime running lights” only.
- A way of navigating. This can be done from your phone, but a standalone device is best. Using your phone to navigate will drain your precious battery, so at a minimum bring an external battery to be sure you don’t run out of battery.
The Routes
Below is a link to a collection of RideWithGPS routes. They can be exported in a variety of formats to work with many applications and GPS devices.
[CAUTION: N. Territorial is very hazardous for bicyclists and there is no need to travel on it. Instead you can loop under the bridge where N. Territorial crosses the Huron River, then enter the portion of Hudson Mills which is on the north side of N. Territorial and make your way to a gate on Huron River Drive.]
https://ridewithgps.com/collections/2014918?privacy_code=2XI64eRp66WtSlEu
What to Expect
The ride to MSC is about 20 miles. Most can do this in under two hours. My typical route follows the Border to Border Trail (separated bike path) and Huron River Drive. Most of the ride is paved, but the last couple of miles are on a dirt road. An alternative route exists which is mostly dirt roads. This largely avoids the headaches of busy roads. Some portions of the route are remote. MSC does not feel very far from civilization in a car, but keep in mind that Dexter is around 8 miles away, and it is the closest (by bike) place to get food and supplies. Come well-prepared and you will have a blast.
The B2B between Delhi Metropark and Bandemer park unfortunately won’t be completed for another couple years at a minimum. The section between Zeeb and Delhi Metropark is under construction now. Here is a link to the B2B’s construction map:
https://b2btrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/OverviewMap_B2B_08302022-2-1.pdf.jpg
I hope this guide is helpful to some of you. Let me know if I missed anything!
-Bella
