PedalGR, meeting at 6:30pm on Wednesday, 8/19/2009 at Founder’s Brewing Company, 235 Grandville Ave SW.
Grand Rapids Home for Veterans' cemetery
August is over half gone. Only three PedalGR rides left. Where did the summer go? This week, PedalGR will visit the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. We’ll get a short tour of the main grounds and also see some of cemetery, which holds the remains of 2,413 Civil War veterans along with veterans of many other US wars since then. The GRHV complex is a haunted site according to the Encylopedia of Haunted Places, so you’ll want to be on the lookout for weird noises and apparitions if you’re into that sort of thing.
We’ll also be headed further north than any PedalGR ride has ever been. You’ll be able to glimpse 5/3rd Park across the river from Willow Dr. We’ll also pass the house where GR Press sports columnist David Mayo grew marijuana in his basement, if you’re into THAT sort of thing. 
On our way back to Founders, we may stop at Calder Plaza for a group photo if it’s not getting too dark.
The Route:
View PedalGR 8-19-09 in a larger map
Need to Know:
- This is a no-drop ride. Nobody in the group will be left behind.
- Ride is about 16 miles and will take about 2 hours (PedalGR is not a race).
- Please bring WATER!
- HELMETS ARE REQUIRED on Rapid Wheelmen Club rides. (The insurance company’s lawyers insist) Please email or comment if you need to borrow one and we will try to accommodate you.
A few highlights include:
- Riverside Park
- Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
- Grand River via Willow Dr.
- Cheshire Business District
- Calder Plaza stop (if there’s time)
Upcoming PedalGR rides:
Tacos El Moroleon on 8/20/08
9/2/09 – Taco Ride Do-Over
We will attempt to do the Taco Ride that was rained out on 7/22. We’ll tour some SW GR and Wyoming neighborhoods and parks. You’ll even have the opportunity to take a lap on the banked curves of an abandoned R/C car track in Marquette Park. We’ll also stop at El Kiosko for a taco, so be sure to bring your $2 if you want one.
9/16/09 – End of Year Party/Green Grand Rapids Ride
The plans have yet to be finalized, but we’ll have another party to end the PedalGR season. We’ll also be taking part in a week of activities celebrating the end of Green Grand Rapids, an 18 month process to update the City and Parks and Rec master plans based on citizen input. I’ll announce more details of the party as I figure them out, but it is sure to be a blast!
Tour de Gaslight in EGR
Other Events:
Do not miss the Tour de Gaslight Criterium race coming up on Sunday, 8/23/09. This year’s race is the State Criterium championships so the best professional and amateurs in the state of Michigan will be racing the streets of East Grand Rapids for bragging rights and more than $5000 in prize money.
Ride Safe and see you Wednesday!
PS: Photos from the 8/5/09 ride are here. I also posted a cadence for the ride here that contains a couple dozen of my favorite photos.
Join us on Facebook to get updates about upcoming rides!
This is a great site. I am hoping to join your for your last ride!
Thanks Nancy! It’s going to be SO MUCH FUN!!
More than just the grave yard is haunted at the GR Veterans home people!! I work there, I’ve been there for 14 yrs. and actually saw and felt an appretian walk past me! Several ppl. have repotrted saeeing this shadowy figure crossing the hall in the new building, things move on their own, rocking chairs and carts will wonder down the hall on their own.Think about the ppl. that die here, I mean it is long term nursing care, there is bound to be these things going on but why bother them or seek them? Let them alone it’s dangerous business messing in that area, non of us are a mtach for demonic activity & that is what it is plain & simple!Remember that old adage let sleeping dogs lay,or in your case ghost’s!