Gran Fondo Bike Rally Postponed

This article was written by Leslie Ellis.

The much-anticipated, much-debated Gran Fondo bike rally scheduled Sunday, June 30, along Woodward Avenue has been postponed due to construction along a stretch the route.

Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop owner Jon Hughes, who promoted the 54-mile bike ride from Detroit to Pontiac and back, said he hoped the event would become a "(Woodward) Dream Cruise for bikes." While he was undeterred by resistance from officials along the route, a Michigan Department of Transportation construction project in the cities of Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge ultimately put the brakes on the rally.

A post on the Woodward Avenue Gran Fondo Facebook page explains the decision:

"We regret to inform you that we have postponed the inaugural Gran Fondo until June 29, 2014. The construction on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak proved to be too problematic for the safety of our participants -- and that's what we care MOST about. We want to thank our partners the 7 bike shops on Woodward Avenue including The Wheelhouse in Detroit, Shinola, Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop, American Cycle & Fitness in Royal Oak & Pontiac, KLM and D&D Bik Shop (in Berkley). We also want to thank Gleaners Food Bank for joining in. Rest assured -- WAGF 2014 WILL happen -- It's on our bucket list and it will be the coolest event ever. We will use this page in the year ahead to keep you posted on cool stuff in the cycling community so come back often and bring friends. Thank you."

Jon Hughes' father Dale Hughes originally conceived of the Gran Fondo as a professional bike race but the format was changed to a rally after officials along the route voiced concerns about safety and expenses.

Hughes said the ride was intended to promote "equal rights" for bike riders and awareness of those who ride their bikes on Woodward Avenue.

"There are bike commuters out there and cars need to be aware of us so you can stop running us over," he told Ferndale Patch in January. "It's all about bike awareness and so we're just trying to get as many people out there as we can." 

Jessica Schrader contributed to this report.