This is a very special Biking event. The Ambassador Bridge, spanning from Detroit to Windsor, pauses traffic to allow bikes to cross.  Canadian riders will ride to the US, across the bridge, and meet up with the Americans.  Then both the Canadians and Americans will ride back across the bridge.  A delicious Breakfast will be provided after the bridge ride, at Canada's beautiful Mic Mac Park.  Breakfast will be provided by Tres Bean Cafe' of Windsor.   We also plan to have guest speakers and musical entertainment.  Then one of two tours can be selected. The short tour will be approximately 15 miles/ 24 KM in length. The short tour will include a special production by Mackenzie Hall.   The Long tour will be approximately 40 miles/ 64 KM in length. Both tours will focus on the theme of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  The long tour will include a trip to Fort Malden.   At the conclusion of the tours Americans, will be bussed back across the bridge and their bikes will be transported via truck. You will also receive a uniquely designed T-shirt as a memento of the event.   If you want to attend this event you must have a valid Passport, Passport card, enhanced driver's license, or Nexus card at the time of registration.  This applies to everyone attending this event.

NOTES:

If you have had radiation treatment recently please inform us so we can get you a medical clearance ahead of time.  Xrays do not count as radiation treatment.

Helmet Cams will not be allowed on Bridge property this year.

There is online registration only.  No registration the day of the event.

All riders must be over the age of 16, no exceptions.

All riders must wear helmets.

Alcohol prohibited.

Riders will be dealing with Customs and Border Protection (Homeland Security) and Canadian Customs, as well.  All applicable laws apply.  

Riders must have a valid passport, a passport card, enhanced driver's licenses, or a Nexus card, to participate...no exceptions. BE SURE TO KEEP THE ID YOU USED TO REGISTER ON YOU AT ALL TIMES!  You may be stopped by Customs to show your ID.

All proceeds go to Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.


ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Riders must obey traffic rules as apply to bicycles in both countries. 

No stopping on the bridge.

NO DAY OF ENTRY REGISTRATION.

**No selling of entry to another party.**

RIDE GOES ON RAIN OR SHINE.

Registration will close 2 weeks before ride date, even if not full, so that all the necessary paperwork can be sent to the appropriate agencies at their request.  June 1, 2012.

In an effort to be enviromently responsible we will not be buying water bottles this year.  We will provide water in large 5 Gallon containers for you to fill your own water bottles from.  We request that each participant bring their own, refillable water bottle.

This year’s tours are centered around the 200th anniversary of the War Of 1812.  Both tours have been planned with your enjoyment and safety in mind.  We are providing maps of both tours ahead of time this year so that you can familiarize yourself with the route.  Printed maps with details of the stops will be provided at check-in.  Each tour will have a Tour Leader, Pace Keepers and Support Vehicles.  All volunteers will have yellow shirts for visibility.  The Tour Leaders will ride at the front of each tour.  They will stop periodically to allow people to catch up and provide details about the historic sights you will be visiting.  Pace Keepers will be spaced throughout the riders to ensure that the groups stay together and alert the Support Vehicles should anyone require help.  Support Vehicles will follow directly behind or along side of the riders.  If you have a problem, whether mechanical or otherwise , alert a Pace Keeper and simply stop and wait for the support vehicle.  If you should happen to become separated from the group and are lost, call Mary Grant at the phone number provided on your map.  She will alert a support vehicle or come and pick you up.

The short tour will be broken up into two groups.  Both groups will enjoy the same sights, just in a different order.  If you are taking the short tour you will be placed in group A or B at check-in.  This will be written on your bracelet at check-in.  Most of the short tour will be on bike trails but when on surface streets be careful and ride in single file.  The Tour Leader will provide details about safety precautions.

The long tour will ride as one group with three paces.  The fastest riders will be at the front of the group, mid-paced riders will be in the middle of the group and slower-paced riders at the end of the group.  Each sub-group will have their own Pace Keeper and the Tour Leader will stop periodically to regroup.  Most of the long tour is on paved roads so it is important to ride safely and in single file.  The Tour Leader will provide details about safety precautions.

 

 LONG TOUR MAP

Registration for American riders starts at 6:15AM.

Check-in for the US participants will begin at 6:15 AM at the State of Micchigan Welcome center.  The Welcome Center is located at 2835 Bagley Street,  Detroit, MI 48216, US.  Parking is located at the Welcome Center and surrounding streets.  Please pay attention to posted parking signs if parking on a nearby street.  Check-in will end promptly at 7:15 AM and the riders will assemble to cross the bridge where Bridge Officials will provide safety instructions.   The ride across the bridge is steep so please condition yourself before the ride and make sure your bike is in good working order.  Be especially cautious that your brakes are in working order.  After the ride across the bridge we will ride to Mic Mac Park, in Canada, for a delicious breakfast.

Americans who are arranging their own transportation home need to email Mary Grant ahead of time.  We need an accurate count to ensure no one is left behind.

Please remember to bring:

• ID (whatever you registered with MUST be with you)
• Helmet
• Water
• Layered Clothing
• Comfortable Shoes
• Sunscreen

Registration for Canadian riders starts at 6:15am.

Please arrive on time! We have 100 or more people to park, register & instruct so we would appreciate it if you do your best to arrive close to 6:15 AM.

The registration process takes about 20 minutes and around 7:00 am we will walk our bikes across the road and then ride the very short distance to the first staging area for the Ambassador Bridge.

Around 7:10 AM will will get our final words from customs, then we will proceed across the Bridge to meet up with the U.S. riders.  Then we will cross the Bridge as one large group.  After the Bridge crossing we will ride to Mic Mac park for a group breakfast.

If you are running late, you must park and register and meet up with our group BEFORE we clear the first staging area. After that point you will not be allowed to join us and you forfeit your registration.

The Ambassador Bridge has again given us access to a prviate parking lot located just west of the Bridge entrance.

Parking is available at the Ambassador Bridge lot located on Huron Church Road across from the bridge’s exit/customs plaza.  This turns into a one-way street just before the parking lot so you must access it from Riverside Drive, University Avenue or Wyandotte Street.  Regardless of which of these cross streets you come from, turn south onto Huron Church Road.  Just past Wyandotte you will drive under the Ambassador Bridge and you will see a plaza on either side of the road; just past that are some overhead lights and immediately to your right there is an entrance to the parking lot (just where the concrete wall ends).  Pull in and lot attendants will have you park at the far end of the lot.

Because the street is a one way and is near the bridge, there is no sidewalk to enter from the south side.  If you are arriving by bicycle and are coming from the south side, you must go around via Indian Road (there is a pathway just past the McDonalds) or via Wyandotte.

Please remember to bring:

• ID (whatever you registered with MUST be with you)
• Helmet
• Water
• Layered Clothing
• Comfortable Shoes
• Sunscreen

We look forward to seeing you Sunday morning for this great event!

If you have any questions call Windsor's information line at 311.

http://bikethebridge.wordpress.com/

It will help speed up registration if you are able to print and sign the waiver ahead of time and bring it with you.  We will have waiver's available if you are unable to do this.

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Waiver: Bike The Bridge, 2012

I realize that the Tour requires physical conditioning,
and I represent that I am in sound medical condition . I
have no physical or medical condition that would endanger
either myself or others.
I accept responsibility for the condition of my bicycle and
agree to abide by all rules of the Tour, especially as they
relate to the wearing of a helmet and identification, and
the use of a mountain bike or its equivalent.
I understand that bicycling can be a HAZARDOUS activity
that has many dangers and risks, including injury
or death resulting from accident or physical exertion. I
understand that bicycling involves a risk of injury, and
that injuries are a common and ordinary occurrence of
the sport. I agree, as a consideration of, and in consideration
for, being permitted to participate in the Tour, to
freely and expressly assume and accept any and all risks
of injury or death to the rider, or property loss or damage,
including injury, death, loss, or damage attributable the
negligence of the Tour.
I agree to release the sponsors and promoters of the
Tour, including the Tour and other sponsors or affiliated
organizations from any and all responsibility or liability for
injuries or damages which result, either directly or otherwise,
from my participation in the Tour. I agree not to
make a claim against or sue the Tour or other sponsors
or affiliated organizations, and their respective agents,
directors, officers, volunteers and employees for injuries
or damages relation to bicycling and/or other activities
during the Tour.
I am aware that this is a release of liability and contract
between the Tour and myself. I am signing it freely and
of my own accord and I recognize and agree that it is
binding upon myself, my heirs and assigns, and in the
event that I am signing it on behalf of any minors, I have
full legal authority to do so, and realize the binding effect
of this contract on them, as well as on myself.
PHOTOS RELEASE
During The Tour, photos are taken and used for
promotional purposes. I hereby give the Tour the absolute and unqualified right and permission to make and publish photographs of
me or in which I may be included or reproductions thereof
as it desires for promotional purposes in any media.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE RULES AND WAIVER AS WRITTEN.
Signature of Participant June 17, 2012

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PLEASE NOTE: YOUR SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE RULES AND WAIVER AS WRITTEN.