Clinton River Riders
CRR Circuit
2025+ CRR Circuits (Gold and Silver)
The CRR Circuit option is a set of 20+ events (bikes, hikes, volunteerism) and ride types that we are encouraging all members to attempt. If you finish 20 or more events then your name will be on the upper back of the CRR Circuit t-shirt as a gold level accomplishment, which you can purchase after the season ends. If you finish 10+ events in the circuit, then you qualify as a silver-circuit rider and your name will be on the lower back of the t-shirt.
This is a fun way to get more people riding with different groups and leaders, as well as exploring some new routes and rides. You will see that the list includes recurring CRR rides, as well as a few various other rides to explore. Some of them include multiple possibilities, of which you only need to do one for circuit qualification.
To be fair to members and their schedules, we have the following guidelines about the rides:
. Must be accessible: local, repeatable, called out with at least 24 hour notice
. Must be attainable without special qualifications: no pre-req achievements, no zero-sum competiton, or limits on number of members that can complete each ride or ride type
. Must have variety: must do at least each of 20 once, can't repeat one to replace another
. Must be fair: if a rider gives best effort and DNF's, use ride leader judgment in giving credit
. Must support silver circuit scenario where at least 10 rides will be no more than 45 miles.
If you can not make a ride due to ongoing scheduling conflicts (e.g. you work on Tuesdays and can't skip for a ride), then please ask the usual ride leader to schedule a weekend version. If the usual ride leader is unable to do so, then at that point you can feel free to call the ride out yourself (or have someone do so), and replicate the route that normally occurs.
When filling out the ride sheet, the ride leader will be able to designate which of the 20+ categories (if any) the ride fits into. Of course, we also ask that ride leaders indicate this when calling out their rides.
The CRR Circuit is cooperative riding. Helping each other get out there and onto the t-shirt is the goal... names will be alphabetical. Who knows.. maybe there will be an award for the person who gets the most people out there.
The rides (subject to commensurate modification for ride/leader availability)
More details can be found on the CRR Calendar when the rides are called out or scheduled.
We are looking for ride leaders to indicate start location, pace, distance, terrain, area of the ride, and usual stops and we can update this list accordingly.
1. KER
~20 miles, ~15mph pace (no drop), led by Kim or Craig along the Metro Freedom Trail and into Lake St Clair Metropark (Metro Beach). Asphalt trail and some roads, flat terrain, at least one rest stop at the Metro park and usually optional dinner afterward (for evening version).
2. Coastbusters or Mystery Ride
~32 miles, ~14-18 pace depending on the group (regroups), led by Jeri, Sandro or John, along Jefferson from SCS Memorial Park to GP Windmill Point. Thursday evenings. All paved road with one stop at Windmill Point and sometimes dinner afterward.
3. Detroit Tour
Bike Tour of Downtown Detroit. Easy pace of 10-12mph... all paved; any bike suitable. Posted at least once a month on weekday evenings. Led by Jeri.
4. All Pointes Bulletin
~32 miles, ~16mph pace, Saturday mornings. Led by Joe or Dave or Dan, starting at Gratiot and 8 1/2 Mile
5. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner Ride
Any ride with an extended mid-ride break for breakfast/lunch/dinner at a bakery/restaurant
6. Ice Cream Social
Typically a short/easy ride that includes a stop at a local ice cream shop
7. Duane's MOT Ride or Weekend Equivalent
~39 miles, ~16mph pace, Tuesday mornings. Led by Duane
8. Moorman Morning Mix
~35-45 miles, ~13-16 mph pace, generally flat terrain, led by Rick and Sue. Starting point varies as does the destination of the ride. Ride generally starts in Macomb County or Southern St Clair County. Ride in the Grosse Pointes, Mt Clemens, Harsen's Island, Marine City, St Clair, Richmond, and Memphis. Most rides include a brunch stop.
9. Dodge Park Trail Mix or College Cruising
This circuit is comprised of three different rides that you may see on the CRR calendar. Each one uses the Clinton River Park main trail that runs through Dodge Park along with the Riverbends Park south trail that begins just west of downtown Utica.
“Casual Cruising” is a ride for new or inexperienced riders (although experienced riders are welcome to attend) that goes for 15 to 20 miles at an extremely casual pace, anywhere from 8 to 12 mph.
“Trail Ride” covers the same ground as Casual Cruising, except that it goes farther by adding to the route and it goes faster. Expect a pace of 12 to 14 mph.
“College Cruising” is more intense. It adds to the Dodge Park and Riverbends trails by leaving Riverbends Park and continuing to Oakland University. This ride includes very hilly terrain both prior to getting to the OU campus and while on it. Expect a ride of 40-ish miles at a pace of 12-15 mph.
10. Support a Sponsor
30+ Miles, visiting any one of our BWR sponsors business (mainly bike shops) as a specific destination of the route
11. Any CRR Holiday Ride (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day)
~43 miles, group pace, led by Craig, starting at Algonac Jr/Sr High School, with a Ferry ride to/from Harsen's Island and a mid-point stop at a restaurant in Marine City for brunch
12. Community Service
Work with a CRR group on a scheduled community service project such as FB4K (Free Bikes for Kids) giving assistance to a community organization with bike related activity. (Was Paceline Practice in 2023)
13. Grosse Pointe to Detroit or Mt Clemens
Led by Les D, usually on Sundays
14. Cross-Train Activity
Examples: Hike, Walk, Run, Kayak, Skate, Ski (XC or Downhill); Note: Mileage will be marked as zero as it does not count toward CRR totals
15. Metroparks Ride
Examples: Stony Creek, Kensington/Island Lake, Lower Huron/Willow/Oakwoods
16. Any CRR Century, Invitational Ride, or Charity Ride
~50-100 miles, group pace, led by various ride leaders. Can either pick any CRR Century ride, or a CRR led group at an invitational ride such as the Midwest Tandem Rally, or a CRR led group at a charity ride such as BikeMS, Mind Over Matter, etc.
17. Dirt Road Ride
Led by Rick J / Art A, usually Tuesday/Thursday mornings
18. Multi-Day Tour
Includes overnight stay (camping or hotel); examples: PALM, DALMAC, Lollipop Overnighter
19. Rail Trail
Examples: Paint Creek/Polly Ann, Clinton River/West Bloomfield/Airline, Lakelands, Heartland, Pere Marquette, Clinton-Ionia, Kal-Haven, Avoca/Lexington
20. Any Multi-Club Ride
(CRR with Ford, Wolverines, O2, etc), variable distance and pace and ride leaders. Pick one and ride with a CRR led group.
21. Virtual Team Ride
Led by Craig or other usual ride leaders on Zwift, Rouvy, Fulgaz, or the like, where members can see each other virtually and communicate in some fashion, time of an hour or more. Miles will be recorded with CRR as zero since virtual miles aren't a reliable metric. Stay together as a group. Communicate through Dischord optionally.
22. Moorman Sheffield or River Bends Ride
~35-45 miles, ~13-16 mph pace Led by Rick and Susan
Sheffield Ride: Moderately hilly terrain. Meet in the Southwest corner of Sheffield Office Park parking lot, located in the Northwest corner of the intersection of Big Beaver Rd and Coolidge, west of Cunningham Dr. Enter the parking lot from Big Beaver. Ride in Troy, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, Sylvan Lake, Orchard Lake, Franklin, Southfield, Beverly Hills, and Birmingham... to name a few. The destination will vary week to week. There is usually a brunch stop during this ride.
River Bends Park Ride: Moderately hilly terrain. Meeting in River Bends Park, using the entrance on 22 Mile Rd, just beyond the railroad tracks, West of Shelby Rd. Ride in Shelby, Rochester, and Auburn Hills. There is usually a brunch stop during the ride, somewhere around Oakland University.
