What: More than 800 people will ride in Wayne State University's fourth annual urban cycling event, The Baroudeur (bah-roo-DUHR), through Detroit and a dozen surrounding communities. The ride includes distances of 20, 37, 62 (Metric Century) and 100 miles, making The Baroudeur one of the largest urban century rides in the country. The routes will take riders through iconic metro Detroit landmarks and sights, including Belle Isle, Lakeshore Drive into the Grosse Pointes, Palmer Park, downtown Detroit and downriver to Grosse Ile before winding back to WSU's Midtown campus for a celebration.

Media is invited to cover the entire day's activities, including the three starts (7 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.), riders on city roadways, finish line activities and the post-ride celebration on Wayne State's campus

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018

• Starting line activities will run from 7 to 10 a.m.
• Riders will be out on their routes from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Riders will be crossing the finish line between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• Postride events on campus will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Who: Reporters are welcome to interview Baroudeur participants, volunteers and ride officials throughout the day. Please contact Katie McMillan at 586-344-8878 to interview a ride official or President Wilson. Wilson will be riding the 100-mile course, so he will be available at the conclusion of his ride between 1:30-3 p.m.

Where: The start/finish line is located along Gullen Mall near the Student Center Building and the Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center on the campus of WSU. Routes for each ride can be found at baroudeur.wayne.edu/ride. The Baroudeur is an open road course, so reporters and photographers covering the event along the route must obey normal traffic laws.

Parking: Television production trucks can park along Anthony Wayne Drive. Parking for vehicles is free in WSU Parking Structure 5, located at 5501 Anthony Wayne Drive, bordered by the Lodge service drive and Kirby.   

More about The Baroudeur: Inspired by WSU President M. Roy Wilson's passion for cycling and his commitment to providing all qualified students access to higher education, all net proceeds from the event will go toward WSU student scholarships and the university’s Helping Individuals Go Higher (HIGH) program, which supports students whose unstable housing situations threaten their dreams of earning a degree. The Baroudeur is a fun, non-competitive event for riders of all experience levels. In addition to a 100-mile route, riders will be taking on distances of 62 (100 kilometers) and 20 miles.
Baroudeur means fighter or warrior in French. It is a term used in cycling for riders not afraid to break away from the peloton and do things on their own, even if they might be an underdog. In Paul Fournel's collection of cycling essays, Vélo, he describes baroudeurs as "adventurers, opportunists and chancers. They do not seek the love of their colleagues in the peloton, but strain at the leash, pushing against convention, experimenting and taking risks. They are generalists and polymaths, adept at multiple disciplines."