Once again what a blast. I always wish I was there. You should know that some of the folks I ride with, whenever we start an early ride and end up stopping at a couple-three breweries/restaurants along the way and end up getting home in the dark we call the ride a Fitzwater and while on the ride we call it Fitzwatering. Totally love it!
@TimFitzwater3 ай бұрын
That is the best thing I’ve heard! Thanks so much for letting me know! 😎😎😎😎
@greg10834 ай бұрын
Alex Stewart trail boss of Spectrum designs built DTE and also did work at Cayuga . Had the pleasure of working for him at DTE but the back gave out before Sugar got built. It was a dream job getting PAID to work trail after all those years of volunteering. He has worked all over Michigan and without knowing you can tell where he has built. I have stories and great memories of the DTE build. 😉🤣 The bro element is the only negative about DTE. It's annoying enough for me that I only ride DTE early AM or at night in the fall. Poto is my home trail but I am circumspect about my riding times . Busy multi purpose trail on the week ends. Thanks for liking the DTE build . A lot of prep work and a huge amount of advocacy when into building that system. Yep, I have stories .🤬
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Very cool - thanks for sharing! I think that bro element just pops up at MTB trails in general....most people are cool - but its always the negative ones that tend to stick with ya.
@manabiker4 ай бұрын
Cool Video, I'm a local, I work on DTE/Poto trails, ride/have all kinds of bikes, DTE is 22.5 miles, 4 loops, professionally built, so it does drain water well, maybe it'll get added onto maybe not, there is a protected snake to deal with, but DTE has a 7 mile connector to the Potatawtomi Trail (Poto) the granddaddy of trails in this area, it has over 25 miles of trails there with 3 loops, the main loop is 18.5 miles, it was 17 when built in the 60's, giving us over 60 miles of awesome trails, Poto is being reworked now, 7 sections of Boy Scout built trail from the 60's is getting go arounds, by the same company that built DTE, it will not be another DTE, keeping its old school feel. The original fall line trails are where the work is being done, so its still rideable, the upper 4 mile Goslin section in Hell, Mi is not getting worked on this year, but still good to go. Plenty of gravel around this area too, Michigan has more miles of gravel then paved I believe. With the freeze thaw, and high moisture around the roads are not always smooth, suspension is never a bad thing to have, spring especially, the road crews can't grade frozen roads, so its depending on the time of year, I ride all year out in the Wonderland of Mi, once the roads get snopacked they smooth out..Thanx for the great Vid, Happy Trails ;) !!! potomba.org/trails/potawatomi-trail/
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
We had thought of hitting the Poto Trails on Monday - but broke bikes and rain... We knew those would be more old school but we will ride anything. Thanks for all the info!!!
@zingermansroadhouse83124 ай бұрын
Thank you for joining us at the Roadhouse before your ride! 🥰
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
It was great! Didn't get to the main location on this trip but have been there too.
@zingermansroadhouse83124 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater So happy you enjoyed it.😃
@Mikedi526 күн бұрын
Love the flow! You’d like Kingdom Trails VT.
@5adamjb2 ай бұрын
I lived and commuted to work in Ann Arbor for about a decade. It looks like they've really improved bike infrastructure. It was cool seeing you ride a bunch of familiar roads. I'll have to go check out the DTE trails.
@TimFitzwater2 ай бұрын
It’s funny to read this comment right now - I’m sitting at a bar in Ann Arbor. I rode from home over two days for another gravel event tomorrow with the same group. The southern part of Michigan was a pretty bad ride - then I got to Ann Arbor and it was like a dream. They are killing it!
@5adamjb2 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater this is really great news. I was there long enough ago that I remember when SIC transit opened on Plymouth Rd.
@JonaJeffords3 ай бұрын
I saw you in the park riding the hill. I was walking my dogs and you all went past and said hey. In the moment I didn't recognize you but 30 seconds later I realized. Glad to see you had a great time in A2.
@TimFitzwater3 ай бұрын
Oh nice! Too bad we didn't get to say "what's up?".
@pixelwulllftv46354 ай бұрын
damn, those trails look flowy and the suds look good.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
they were so rad!
@aaronwermers41604 ай бұрын
So many beauties! Thanks for sharing!
@ianthompson62684 ай бұрын
oh man, I have a purple RB-2 just like that. woot!
@fittonbikes4 ай бұрын
Summer is kicking in! Lovley routes and nice to see those forest bike trails. Looks like everyone got a healthy slice of fun :)
@williamlebron98734 ай бұрын
Where’s the LOVE ❤️ button. I need to hit the DTE trails.. Everyone I tell that I haven’t been there yet give me a hard time about it…LOL…Wish it didn’t rain. It scared me off …LOL… We got to meet up next time you come back to Michigan.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
They are so good - you definitely have to get out there. Its funny - if I was local I might have skipped because of the rain too....but when I'm traveling I put up with whatever.
@Wanderin-Wheels4 ай бұрын
Thanks again Tim, for introducing Ann Arbor and I didn’t expect it to be such a chill area. I knew Ann Arbor from a song - Prison Song by Graham Nash back in 70’s… a unique name that stayed in my mind till today but I never check it out until I saw this video. I love the video very much…..maybe it’s the coffee or food ❤️
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
It was awesome. Growing up I knew it because college football so I irrationally didn't like it....
@MattCarrier-rj8dv4 ай бұрын
That street with the shoes is Greenwood Ave. between E. University and Packard. That block is known for its massive undergrad block parties (at least it was when I went there). If I remember right, the tradition is to throw a pair of shoes on the power lines after you graduate and you’re moving out, but I’d encourage anyone to correct me if I’m wrong.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Someone else mentioned the parties. I'll take your word for it on the rest - what else could it be?
@PaddleAsia4 ай бұрын
That area looks very appealing. I love custom comfortable bikes. Great narration too... liked and subscribed. 👍
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks! Definitely worth the trip - and we still only scratched the surface.
@-NateTheGreat4 ай бұрын
You were up in my neck of the woods in Toledo. Ann Arbor is 30 miles from me. I gravel ride up there then cruise around AA then head back. Nice 100 mile round trip. Doing OTET next week I will be cruising through your hood!
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
I've cruised around Toledo too. I like Grand Rapids a lot also. Have a blast on the OTET! Hope the weather is awesome! Maybe I'll see you out on the trail!
@zackharlow68394 ай бұрын
omg! I was in Ann Arbor that weekend too!
@zackharlow68394 ай бұрын
A2 has some of the best biking in the biz, especially for gravel or atbs...alsoooo there is something called the "local loop" which is about 15-20 miles of cutty singletrack you can link up there. It's great and I miss it everyday (I grew up in A2) Really giving me fomo for missing the ride :(
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
I believe we were told about the local loop but first had to skip it because of the rain - then the broken bike. Too bad we missed each other. I will definitely be going back.
@joeljones40804 ай бұрын
So many places already on the list, and now Ann Arbor. We did the Greenbriar River Trail week before last. Four “seasoned” friends, at a senior pace. Perfect weather.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
I am going to get to the GreenBriar eventually, my friends just did it and loved it. Ann Arbor is totally worth the trip.
@noahfenton88204 ай бұрын
Grew up outside Chelsea MI and really enjoyed seeing the Jiffy Mill pop up on my KZbin feed. Great video! Those curious about the gravel East of AA should check out the Watermoo gravel race, it’s an amazing route
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks! I will check that out.
@alexanderlawson16494 ай бұрын
Super bike scene u have out there, all the best, wish I could be there.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
They have out there - so many nice people!
@Service_Course_Guy4 ай бұрын
DTE is totally rideable with a rigid 29er. I ride my rigid ‘09 Rockhopper out there as often as I can. I no longer live in A2, or go near the town, but your video gave me a bit of nostalgia about it. Reminded me of some good times from my days there.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Rad city and area for sure!!
@yves784 ай бұрын
Those trails look so nice. I gravel and mountain bike, I can ride black diamond and be all alert, but my favorite flow is green and blue with a little technical. exactly what you were doing, good job
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
So fun to mostly just be able to blast around!
@thomasmcroy17564 ай бұрын
Ann Arbor is great. Im from Chelsea but live in Oregon now. Never ridden DTE but those trails look really fun. Good video.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@Z1313-c6q4 ай бұрын
The DTE trails look fun. Nice shot of Toledo and the Skyway Bridge!
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
So fun! Thought about a stop in Toledo but we decided to get home with the broke bike and tired bodies.
@josephdematio17554 ай бұрын
Great video and an accurate portrayal of the biking scene here in Ann Arbor/Washtenaw County! One minor point: at 9:37 you talk about heading west out of town and then on to Detroit….Detroit is east of A2. As for biking from A2 to the D…..maybe? I think a person would be better off following the Huron River watershed southeast toward Lake Erie and Monroe….but if you definitely want to get to the D, use routes that take advantage of Hines Park and the Hines Park Trail. Anyway, glad you discovered Detroit Street Filling Station vegan restaurant (which is in Ann Arbor, to be clear, haha).
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Woops - I can't believe no one else caught the error yet(for the record I do know that🤠) Thanks for the tips! I may ride from here to Ann Arbor in late-July if I have the time.
@TheVintagesteal4 ай бұрын
Wtheck.I was recently there and had no idea of the trails or bike scene. Saw the beautiful trees and geese though. Gorgeous state,no doubt.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Yeah - it was great. The bike scene, the infrastructure, and the trails!
@riskyrax4 ай бұрын
Nothing wrong with a lil rooster tail haha. Good to see some old stomping grounds in good ol Mitchigan. So many bike lanes there now Link a ride out to Ypsi next time it’s chill
@arthurhamlin99984 ай бұрын
Great video Tim. Enjoyed it very much. Best wishes to you from Tennessee ✌️
@alanrichardson94494 ай бұрын
Great footage. Try Jolly Pumpkin in Ann arbor if you haven't. Fantastic sour beers.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks! I actually have on a different trip. Been to the Ann Arbor and the Detroit locations. This channel actually started as a beer review channel and there are two Jolly Pumpkin reviews. We didn't know what a sour beer was in the first video so its a pretty dumb video! (I was doing beer reviews as a way to teach myself video work).
@paulaspinall9194 ай бұрын
Interesting trails and town. The hand made bike show looked fascinating. Thanks.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Both were rad!
@wescheslak94084 ай бұрын
Another great video. That looks like a lot of fun .
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Besides Dylan breaking his bike everything went really awesome!
@randyhale41814 ай бұрын
Those dirt roads look super fast.👍🏻
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
So fast and fun!
@Galactico424 ай бұрын
Man, you make that part of the country look good.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
😎
@Service_Course_Guy4 ай бұрын
Midwest is best.
@joowwwllllll6664 ай бұрын
Great video! Love the Rando bikes as well 😍
@petercroce4 ай бұрын
Great running into you guys, Tim! The DTE trails are definitely faster with as little tread and suspension as possible (except for the Sugar black diamond trail). I'm not shocked that some MTB bros were threatened by you all. ;) Shoutout to Jade who made that awesome route. She crushed it!
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Hey Peter - it was nice to see you! Shoot - did I say "Jude" in the video? shit. Those DTE Trails are so dang good - I will definitely be back.
@petercroce4 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater so many names, so little time. :) Holler when you head up here and I'll join you as a brother in rigid arms.
@backroadssingletrack4 ай бұрын
Dang, too bad we missed you and that bike show, we were just there the 7th-9th. Rode part of the DTE trails, what I saw was definitely rigid friendly, and my gravel bike would have done fine as well.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Too bad for sure. The DTE Trails do get faster and steeper as you go - but still super smooth. So fun!
@Cycling_Brian4 ай бұрын
Good luck on getting your derailleur hanger replaced on the Raleigh. My bikes also have integrated derailleur hangers, which one has dealt with being bent once or twice.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
After having ripped the rear derailleur off a few times it’s pretty weak now! Hoping it works out - it will probably be expensive but gotta be cheaper than a new bike.
@chisbang534 ай бұрын
DTE is a professionally built trail system. Cost over a million $$$$$. Great trails for sure.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Yeah - not surprising at all. So fun!
@Cycling_Brian4 ай бұрын
Cool looking trails!
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Seriously some of the best!
@markday17144 ай бұрын
after a month out of pocket and unable to to my fix I log in and once again some of the best content out there makes my day! took a couple hours to get caught up and kind of disappointed there is not more. Thanks!
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks! Yeah - been a busy spring for me - just really getting back on track with the channel now. Cheers!
@DanielNunez-ur9dm4 ай бұрын
Can't believe I missed Ann Arbor! I didn't hear a word about it. 😢
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Too bad. I knew because of Instagram. Lugs Not Drugs, Roached Clips, Zephyr Line Workshop etc....
@RadioSaladStudios4 ай бұрын
I need to build a gravel bike. I live in Battle Creek; so about an hour and a half away. That would be so cool.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Oh yeah - for sure.
@neildrabinski33304 ай бұрын
Love Ann Arbor - I have not seen this much of it. Think about Ann Arbor -> Detroit -> Port Huron....
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Same. I knew I liked it but getting around by bicycle made it that much better.
@andrewtran6944 ай бұрын
hell yeah love the vid Tim! lived in Ann Arbor for a bit but never got the chance to really explore the trails or bike outside of the school campus. loved seeing all the footage you took from the trip up there! shoutout Sic Transit Cycles! i'm not exactly sure why there are so many shoes on the power lines lmao (allegedly a post graduation celebratory thing?) but that street ya'll biked through is Greenwood Ave, which is known for a huge rowdy informal block party right before the school semester starts that usually gets shut down by the police haha
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Thanks! ands thanks for the info!
@glennstep14 ай бұрын
Wow, that DTE looks like my kind of trail. Bypasses are my friend, btw. I'm not auditioning for Red Bull, lol, but want to have fun. Thanks for the great video - looked like a great trip. This puts Ann Arbor on my radar. (I went to school in Spring Arbor many many many many years ago) I'm thinking this would tie in well on the way up to spending time in Mackinac! You really capture your rides well. Have you considered a career in photography? :)
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
I like the RedBull comment - that is how I feel. I mean - these were smoother than Hampton - made it so you can really get going and enjoy them on whatever bike you like. It is right on the way to Mackinac so definitely worth the stop.
@edrcozonoking4 ай бұрын
My fastest time on the DTE green loop is on a gravel bike. The Sugar loop (biggest jumps) is best done with a MTB.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Makes sense.
@conniehoyle26694 ай бұрын
Cool beans
@gogoasuncion66924 ай бұрын
Great video Tim. Yeah, miss the voice over too.
@cb68664 ай бұрын
Thanks Tim , is it possible to see , and order online , the caps you spoke about ??
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Yeah - Zephyr Line Workshop - she has a website and IG.
@cb68664 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater Thank you very much. Again. How is Edmund ?
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
@@cb6866 He's well. Should make the next video!
@cb68664 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater Thank you !
@normanchan20014 ай бұрын
Studies have shown that paint on the road have a very strong psychological effect on human behavior. I am a big advocate for more paint on the road. It's the least expensive and most nimby friendly solution for bicyclist to be just a little safer.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
At the least it is better than nothing but in my opinion(and your I see) it is way more than that. I always tell the people who say it doesn't do anything "then why don't cars fly off the road and go left-of-center all the time". Obviously they are following the lines! Yup - even just give me a decent shoulder! Cheers!
@philiprayner4 ай бұрын
I will just watch this my lower legs are paper a fall on a trail like that would be a trip to the hospital
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
They are so smooth I doubt you would fall though.
@DAMN551174 ай бұрын
These are my kind of trails. Nice. It is important to know what you like and what you don't. I am surprised so many Mtb riders gave you direct feedback about bikes/components on a trail like that. That is not my experience from MTB people unless you are very specific trails/jumplines.
@conorreynolds97394 ай бұрын
I wonder if it’s an Ann Arbor thing. Lots of high achievers here used to “sharing” their expertise (don’t get me wrong, it’s a great town, but having a big elite university does that a bit).
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
Oh man - I find MTBers love to give opinions on rigid bikes - double that up if they have drop bars! The one guy talked to us like we had never ridden off road before 🤓. These trails were some of my favorite ever. So much fun.
@TimFitzwater4 ай бұрын
No - it’s a mountain biker thing. Some of it is genuine - a lot of it is lame “how’s the gravel grinding” bs.
@DAMN551174 ай бұрын
@@TimFitzwater That is odd. Where I come from if you are riding a rigid bike or drop bar on a MTB trail...you know what you are doing and if anything people give you props and not suggestions. Maybe I need to do more experimenting and tempting the locals into interacting.
@kennydavis53384 ай бұрын
Anyone who thinks they need to comment on Ben’s bike choice, obviously doesn’t know Ben.