The Northville Rotary Club (www.northvillerotary.org) has been serving the community and promoting harmony and goodwill throughout the world for over ninety years. The 6th annual “2019Tour de Ville Benefit BikeRide”, starting and ending in Northville is our major fund raising event for the year and in our first five years we attracted over 2,000 riders and raised over $90K for charities and causes such as the Rotary International Foundation, Kids Against Hunger, local scholarships, student exchange programs, Little Free Libraries, Shelter Box, Life Remodeled and local food banks.
The Tour de Ville benefit bike ride is a family oriented event and not a race. All routes begin and end in Historic Northville, Michigan at The Village Workshop. Our routes include a 10 mile family ride and variable length (10-34 miles) ride that travel exclusively along the historic Edward Hines Drive. We also have a 53 mile route (for the seasoned rider) that follows a South West route through Dixboro and Whitmore Lake.
This fully supported ride includes:
Registration as early as 7:00am
Continental breakfast (Served from 6:30am -9:00am)
An event T-shirt highlighting our sponsors (We cannot guarantee everyone will get the size they request)
Beverage / snack rest-stop and bathrooms on all routes
One entry for each pre-registered rider into a drawing (held pre-event) for one of six main prizes - four $250 D&D Bike Vouchers, a sports bag from Lifetime Fitness and a prize from Thule (You do not need to be present to win)
Lunch when you return to Northville (Served from 10:00am - 1:30pm)
Free neck/shoulder massages provided by Lifetime Fitness
Northville Folk (Playing from 10:00am - 2:30pm, with breaks)
Beer Tent (Must be Over 21 Years of Age). Drinks available for purchase (Beer - $5, Sodas - $2, Water - $1)
Please join us on this fun and healthy ride and support our local communities – click on the Register page to sign up now.
The Northville Rotary club was founded 92 years ago and we are part of a worldwide organization of 1.2 million people who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.
How do we work?
Our impact starts with our members—people who work tirelessly with their clubs to solve some of our communities' toughest challenges. Their efforts are supported by Rotary International, our member association, and The Rotary Foundation, which turns generous donations into grants that fund the work of our members and partners around the world. Rotary is led by our members—responsible leaders who help to carry forward our organization's mission and values in their elected roles
Our Structure
Rotary is made up of three parts: Rotary Clubs, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
Rotary clubs are the heart of Rotary and bring together dedicated individuals to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action. Rotary Clubs are supported by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation uses generous donations to fund projects by Rotarians and our partners in communities around the world. As a nonprofit, all of the Foundation's funding comes from voluntary contributions made by Rotarians and friends who share our vision of a better world.
Rotary International Partners
When Rotary partners with other organizations, we multiply the impact made by either group on their own. We call this “the Rotary effect.” From local food banks to global humanitarian organizations, we work with a wide variety of partners, including:
Tour de Ville is a benefit bicycle ride and not a race. No timing equipment will be available. No rider times will be recorded or provided.
As in 2018, all routes start and end at The Village Workshop at 455 E. Cady Street, Northville, MI 48167. Rider registration, clothing purchases, sponsor displays and pre-registered rider packet pickup will be located inside The Village Workshop building. We also plan to have a manned table explaining what Rotary is all about and inviting people to come and be part of our organization.
Registration the day of the ride opens at 7:00am, Saturday, June 15th, 2019. The Tour de Ville course opens at 7:00am (ALL Riders, regardless of route need to be on the course by 9am) and closes at 1:00pm at which time ALL on route services will also cease (SAG Wagons/Service Stops). Please note that ALL riders need to be registered BEFORE heading out on their cycle. Please do not arrive earlier than 6:30am or start before 7:00am. Breakfast is served from 6:30am to 9am.
The Tour de Ville lunch will be served between 10:00am and 1:30pm in the TdV registration area and your bib will be your lunch ticket.
Safety, Decorum and Rules Every year, the communities along Hines Drive and throughout the down-river communities share their roads and parks with bicycle riders as well as runners. Although Hines Drive is well-known for it’s wide bike lanes on either side of the roadway, riders need to be aware of the cars and traffic on the roads in both directions to ensure safety and to be respectful of guests in these local communities. The mark of a safe and effective cyclist is to show respect for and awareness of the surroundings, including weather, road conditions, and others using the road. We request all TdV riders follow these basic guidelines: Carry your own personal identification and emergency contact information while riding. You must wear an approved and properly-fitted helmet and buckle the chinstrap whenever you're on the bike. Obey all traffic laws and stop at all stop signs. Like motorists, you can and will be ticketed if you fail to obey traffic laws. Always ride with the traffic and never ride more than two abreast. Ride as far to the right of the road as safe to do so. Move right and ride single-file when cars or other cyclists are behind you and need room to pass. Use appropriate hand and verbal signals when passing, turning or stopping to let motorists and other cyclists know what you're going to do. When coming up on slower riders, always alert them before you pass. Pass on the left and never pass on the right. If you don't alert them, a startled rider may crash and take you with them. Make sure intersections are clear before crossing. No cell phone calls, headphones or text messages are allowed while riding. Pull over and stop if you have to take a call or to read/send a text. If you have to stop for anything, be sure to move yourself and your bike completely off the pavement. If you don't, other riders behind you will be forced out into traffic to get around you. Rearview mirrors are recommended. Always carry your wrappers and garbage with you. "Take only pictures. leave only footprints". There will be plenty of places to off-load your refuse along the bike route.
"RIDE RAIN OR SHINE" The Tour de Ville ride will go on, rain or shine. Decisions about any other inclement weather affecting the ride will be made the evening before and on the day of the ride.
If you want to take a copy of the Map/Route with you, please make sure you print it before you leave. We do plan to have a large map(s) showing all routes in detail and someone available on-site to explain the routes to anyone not familiar with the area.
*** We are thrilled to announce COOPER STANDARD as our Presenting Sponsor for 2019 ***
For returning sponsors, we really appreciate your past level of support of the Tour de Ville. This event and the charities we support would not be possible without your generous contributions. For new sponsors, welcome to our site. Please read below for some good reasons to sponsor our event, as well as a description of our Tour de Ville marketing campaign and sponsor benefits.
Why sponsor the 2019 Tour de Ville?
1. Support/engage in the community where you do business and learn about Rotary
2. Advertise your brand/business within the local community/region via our event marketing campaign (Please see the chart on the “Sponsors Application” for the levels of advertising associated with each level of sponsorship)
3. Recognize a work team, associate, customer or supplier with one of your free rider registrations or event T-shirts
Event marketing details:
1. The event is promoted in the Michigan 2019 Ride Calendar – an annual publication
2. The event is also marketed via Facebook and on the Tour de Ville website
3. The event will be featured in local newspaper and newsletter articles
4. Presenting, Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors will be featured on event Posters and tri-fold brochures that will circulate months in advance of the event. You can also display your brand via banners on the day of the event. All qualifying sponsors will have their logo featured on the event T-shirt
Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
The sponsor levels, benefits, and brand (logo) exposure associated with the various levels of sponsor support may be found on the “Sponsors Application” attached below. Briefly, as a sponsor, and depending on your level of support, the benefits include:
1. Your logo may appear on the Event T-shirt, event website and promo materials (see Sponsors’ Application for details)
2. Free rider registration(s) ($40 value each) - Platinum Sponsor (10 free registrations), Gold Sponsor (8 free registrations) Silver Sponsor (4 free registrations) and Bronze Sponsor (2 free registrations)
3. Opportunity to set up an info table/booth on the day of the ride if beneficial for your business
Marketing/Advertising Expense
We recommend that you treat your support as a Marketing/Advertising expense for accounting purposes.
Sponsor’s Application
Finally, please complete the “Sponsors Application” found below and return it to the Northville Rotary Club as explained on the application.
Note: In-kind and rest stop sponsors
Please refer to the “Sponsors Application” for a list of in-kind support you can provide. If you are an in-kind sponsor, please fill out the application and estimate the value of the contribution on the “in-kind” template. For those wanting to sponsor a “rest stop”, you will need to provide the following:
Workers (Manning) for the rest stop for 4-5 hours (2-3 people will probably be adequate)
1-2 folding canopy tents
Folding tables
Folding chairs for the workers
Bulk water or sports drink (we can supply drink totes for dispensing)
Energy snack foods (energy bars, peanut butter crackers, etc)
The cost of the ride will be $40, if you sign up in advance (Prior to Midnight on Thursday, June 13th), or $50 on the day of the event. Students under 21 pay $25 for all rides. Children 12 and under will pay $10, but will not receive a t-shirt.
What should I do to prepare for the ride?
Cyclists can minimize potential problems by having themselves, their bikes and their tires in good condition for this ride. Every rider must wear a helmet. Highly recommended accessories to take with you would be a pump, a patch kit, an extra tube, on-the-road tools, a light jacket, sunscreen, and extra water bottles. You should know how to fix a flat tire and how to do your own minor repairs. It's very important your tires are correctly inflated before you start the ride. Recommended tire inflation pressures should be stamped somewhere on the side of the tire. A tire that hasn't been fully inflated in the last 24-48 hours could easily loose enough pressure to puncture on the next bump or hole. Although the Longer Hines Drives ride (10-34 miles) and 53 mile routes can be used as a "stretch goal" for riders wishing to up their level of riding, it's important that those "stretch" riders have confidently ridden at least 75% of that new distance in the weeks shortly before this ride.
Parking?
Cady Street will be closed in front of The Village Workshop during the ride due to pedestrian and bike traffic.
From the NORTH - From 8 Mile Road, take Griswold Street South to E. Cady Street and turn right.
From the SOUTH - From M14, take Sheldon Road North to E. Cady Street and turn right.
What time can I check in?
Registration opens at 7:00a.m. (Breakfast is served from 6:30am). The TdV course will open at 7:00a.m. All riders must start their route by 9:00am. SAG Wagon and Service Stops will end for all routes at 1pm.
Help needed with bike maintenance on site?
Our sponsor D&D Bicycles will be providing free maintenance checks on site. These safety inspections before the ride have been greatly appreciated by riders who obviously want to protect their valuable bikes.
Will there be support along the way?
Yes, there will be rest stops on the routes. SAG (Support And Gear) vehicles will circulate along each route. Your wrist band will also have a number you can call if you need SAG Support.
What do I do in case of an emergency?
In case of an emergency, call 911. Any other problem, wait for the SAG wagon or call the number on your wrist band.
How about fuel for myself?
No worries! We'll feed you breakfast before you start and lunch when you finish. On site, you'll receive a wrist band in your registration packet that is your admission ticket to the lunch line. You can pre-order extra lunches and t-shirts for yourself or those family members on the website registration form. We'll also have snacks, energy foods, water coolers for you to refill your drink bottles at the rest stops along the way.
Who benefits from the tour?
Tour de Ville is a 100%, non-profit benefit bicycle ride. Proceeds will go towards The Rotary Foundation (e.g. world eradication of polio, clean water projects in third world countries...) and the Rotary Club of Northville (e.g. local charities, scholarships, local exchange student programs, city beautification, Little Free Libraries, Life Remodeled...). Part of the proceeds will also benefit Kids Against Hunger events, which allow Northville and Detroit students to work side-by-side packaging meals for hungry people locally and around the world.
What if it's rainy or cooler on the day of the ride?
One staffer coined an appropriate spoonerism response: the Tour de Ville will go on, "RIDE OR SHINE" (aka rain or shine)! Read your favorite weather forecast the night before and plan accordingly. In the case of cooler weather, be sure to dress in layers so you can remove and stow a layer as you warm up. As the saying goes "It's better to have the clothes and take them off, than to not have the clothes and be cold all day". While riding, watch yourself and remove a layer when you get warm. You can easily overheat with too many layers and the results can be at the least, uncomfortable. Be sure to pull over and stop when removing a layer, otherwise it may be awkward explaining things to the EMT who is cutting your shirt off your head so he can put you in his ambulance.
Children on the Ride?
We truly hope you will make this a family outing and bring along your children. All children on the ride must wear helmets and be accompanied by an adult!Children12 and underare only allowed on the 10 Mile course. The cost for children 12 and under will be $10 which will include the ride and food (but no t-shirt).
The cost of the ride will be $40, if you sign up in advance (Prior to Midnight on Thursday, June 13th), or $50 on the day of the event. Students under 21 pay $25 for all rides. Children 12 and under will pay $10, but will not receive a t-shirt. Tee shirts may also not be available for riders signing up on the day of the ride.
The Community Partner Route is perfect for a family outing – novice/weekend rider. Riders have a choice to ride on the jogging/bike path (the safer with small kids) or along the apron on Hines Dr. The roundtrip departs from The Village Workshop, Downtown Northville and proceeds to a turnaround about 5 miles east (Plymouth Riverside Park Area). A rest stop with beverage and a snack tent will mark your turnaround location. On your way back, you can tackle the hill going into Northville. (Kids like to try to beat their parents up it). Return to River Street left on Beal St and right on Griswold to E. Cady.Time should be about 90 minutes from start to finish.
About Historic Edward Hines Drive
Cruise through the western suburbs of Detroit along beautiful Hines Drive, a 17-mile long road that follows the path of the Rouge River from Northville to Dearborn. Prior to European settlement of the area, the Rouge served as the “road” through this country for local Indian tribes and for French and English trappers. Later, the river was a pathway for escaped slaves on their way to Canada along the Underground Railroad. Hines Drive was built in 1949 with land donated by Henry Ford and was named after Edward Hines, head of the Wayne County Road Commission. Along the way there are a number of historic mills, some of which Henry Ford used to make automobile parts. In addition to mills, Hines Drive is lined with baseball and soccer fields, hiking and biking paths, fishing docks, and picnic areas. Exploring the cities of Dearborn, Plymouth, and Northville is an added bonus when traveling this multi-faceted parkway.
Take advantage of beautiful Hines Drive and our two rest stops to create you own ride. This roundtrip ride from Downtown Northville is similar to the 10 Mile “Bond” route, but if you take the full ride, will take you to the end of Edward Hines Drive. Most of this ride will follow the Historic Edward Hines Park Drive and the Rouge River Gateway Trail. You can use the two rest stops on your outward and inward journeys. This full 34 mile ride should take approximately 3-4 hours at a moderate pace including stops.
If you are planning a big ride this summer, take advantage of our Paul Harris route to put in some miles. Perfect for the serious/competitive rider, this roundtrip ride from Downtown Northville should take approximately 4-5 hours at a moderate pace including stops
From E. Cady go to Griswold turn left to River St, turn right and go to 7 mile Rd, turn right; at the intersection of Hines Drive and 7 mile, make a left turn and go east on Hines to light at 5 mile road. Turn right and stay on Hines to Northville Rd (traffic light), turn right and remain right to Starkweather Rd. Go to Farmer(watch some cracks in road), turn right, to Evergreen, turn left and go on Ann Arbor Road/Plymouth Rd, turn right, and continue down Ann Arbor Road/Plymouth to Town of Dixboro (FIRST FOOD STOP IF NEEDED AT DIXBORO METHODIST CHURCH with Restrooms). Continue on Ann Arbor/Plymouth Rd to Earhart Rd, turn left and go to Glacier Rd and turn right to Huron Parkway continue north to Plymouth Rd and go through light continue to Nixon Rd and turn right to Pontiac Trail. At this point, riders can turn right on Pontiac Trail to our Food Stop at Earhart and Pontiac Trail.(Indian Trails Golf Center) Rest room is available. After refreshing, go back down Pontiac Trail (to the West) and continue until Warren Rd; turn right and go to Whitmore Lake Rd and turn right. Continue down Whitmore Lake Rd until you get to 6 Mile Rd. Make a right turn and cross over I-23 and turn left onto Main ST just the other side of I-23 and go North to E Shore Rd (at Whitmore Lake) and turn right. Go on E. Shore Rd to Donna Lane or 7 mile Rd and turn right. Take 7 Mile Rd to Tower Rd (intersection of Angle Rd and 7 Mile) and turn left on Tower which turns back into 7 mile Rd. Take 7 mile east to Traffic Light at S. Rogers in Northville. Turn left onto S. Rogers and then turn right at W. Cady to start/finish.
Alternates at the end: You can stay on 7 mile to S. Center at traffic light and make a left to E. Cady.. Any variation will have some traffic.
