Royal Oak puts brakes on 54-mile bike race

Owner of bike shop says he'll go ahead with plan for race down Woodward Ave. on June 30

FERNDALE, Mich. – The owner of a Ferndale bike shop is already thinking spring by planning a big bike ride. But his idea is not spinning with support.

The 54-mile-long Gran Fondo bike race is extremely popular in Europe and other cities across the country.

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This is the race that Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop owner, Jon Hughes, was hoping to bring to Woodward Avenue.

He planned the race for June 30, but the city of Royal Oak has but the breaks on the biking event. Officials say a race that stretches from Detroit to Pontiac is just not sage.

But Hughes is not giving up.

He's going ahead with his plan for the 54 mile race with or without the city's support.

Hughes is hoping at least 2,000 riders will get the wheels turning with him.