About cycling & running in Ann ArborAnn Arbor Training Notes
Running: Locals build base miles on the Border-to-Border Trail, Gallup Park Loop, Argo/Bandemer Loop, and the University of Michigan Campus & Downtown Ann Arbor. The B2B runs over 35 miles across Washtenaw County, and Gallup Park gives one full loop at about 3 miles. Bird Hills Nature Area, County Farm Park, Lillie Park, and Leslie Nature Center keep recovery days soft, wooded, and winding. Ann Arbor Running Company anchors the week with Monday 5K, Tuesday intervals, Thursday 5K, and Saturday long runs. Ann Arbor Track Club, PR Run Club, Ann Arbor Runners, Ann-Hua Runners, Bandit Racing Team, Fleet Feet, Michigan AA Next Level Running Club, and Tree Town Trail Runners keep the calendar full. Dexter-Ann Arbor Run and The Big House 5K feel like anchor events.
Cycling: Locals ride a little gravel, a little tarmac, a little multi-use path, and even some singletrack. Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society and Ann Arbor Velo Club give the road scene a real club spine. AABTS ThNR runs 6 km with 211 m. AAVC ThNR runs 7 km with 436 m and turns 63 km into fast rotations, breakaways, chases, and 5 designated sprints. The Dirt Hammer starts at Barton Nature Area, and the Nacho Ride goes about 50 miles west of town. Stein Road brings the hills, and plenty of routes add punchy climbs.
Season: Spring and Autumn are the cleanest months for stacking Z2, intervals, long runs, gravel days, and cyclocross legs. Summer brings warm to hot humid days, with average highs around 27°C and the heaviest precipitation of the year. Locals still run early, use the Huron River paths, and keep Gallup Park or the B2B in the mix. Winter changes the kit first, because average highs sit around -1°C and snowfall averages 91 cm per season. Roads are often plowed, bike lanes do not get cleared, and studded tires are easy to find when ice shows up. Runners shift to Broadway Winter Route energy and use roads when it is dark.
