Pedaling on and over water

By Mike Eliasohn

Sunday, Aug. 16, was the 50th annual Port Huron Float Down, in which participants with no fear of drowning float down the St. Clair River from Port Huron to Marysville, about 7.1 miles.  (Although I was told many floaters don't go the entire distance.)

The event is unsanctioned and there are no official rules – though presumably motors are a no-no –  but not everyone is content to just float, with maybe a canoe paddle used as a rudder.  I did see some kayaks – I don't recall seeing a canoe –and this one (the yellow craft, in front).

The two ladies' legs were moving back and forth, so presumably the craft had some sort of linear-drive system, presumably spinning a propellor. I did an internet search of "linear drive human powered boat," or something similar, but didn't find anything.  If anyone knows anything about this craft, presumably manufactured, please inform the editor (mikethebike2325@comcast.net).

This photo shows more typical craft used in the Float Down, which drew an estimate from a U.S. Coast Guard officer of about 500 participants.  In the "good old days," I was told, the Float Down drew thousands of participants, pretty much "filling" the river from shore to shore.

During the event, Great Lakes ships were barred from traversing the St. Clair River, which connects Lake Huron to the north, to Lake St. Clair on the south. (For those unfamiliar with this area, the St. Clair River divides the U.S. from Canada. Sarnia is the largest community on the Canada side.)

Prior to the event, the Coast Guards of the U.S. and Canada both issued "please don't do it" warnings.  They and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department had boats patrolling the event.

I assume no organization or business, such as a Chamber of Commerce or  tourism organization, sponsors or promotes the Float Down because of the danger and potential for drowning or injury, which could result in a lawsuit.

Writing this reminds me, pedal powered boat rallies used to be part of the HPV schedule, with many of them in Michigan, But as far as I know, there hasn't such an event in several years.

Probably too late for this year, but how about someone organizing a pedal powered boat rally in 2027? 

After eight years of construction, the GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, opened to motor traffic on July 27, then on Aug. 5,  the path for cyclists and pedestrians opened.

Of the four bridges connecting the east side of Michigan to Ontario, the Gordie Howe is the only one cyclists and pedestrians can cross.

It's 1.5 miles / 2.5 km across, and if you are afraid of heights, keep in mind at its highest point, the bridge is 150 feet / 46 meters above the water.

Unlike motorists, people traversing the bridge pay nothing.

The non-motorized path is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. until Oct. 31, then from 8-4 daily until March 31.

If you're going, keep in mind that you must carry travel and identification documents with you.

If any HPVers have traversed the bridge, or will be doing so, some photos for this blog will be nice. I'm thinking crossing the bridge in a velomobile would be cool.

More information is available at gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com. Plus there is a Gordie Howe International Bike Club, which has a Facebook page.

After an absence of one year,  RECUMBENT CYCLE-CON (cycle-con.com) returns to the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio, on Sept. 18-20, with Friday open only to "those in the business" and to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

For people interested in buying a recumbent bicycle or tricycle or thinking of an upgrade from what they  are pedaling now is it's a great opportunity to see and try what's available in horizontal cycles. No velomobiles, however.

I don't anticipate going, but I would love to have a report and photos for the blog, so if anyone is going, please volunteer.