Remembering the Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Ride with Tour de Troit

The Detroit Riverfront is a space that has undergone serious transformation in the last decade. Just feet from the current Riverwalk, is TCF Center (formerly Cobo Center). Home to many historic events, Cobo was most notably the venue for Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream…” speech.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Ride with Tour de Troit

Just two months before King spoke those four memorable words in Washington, he delivered a version of the passionate speech right here in Detroit for the Walk to Freedom on June 23, 1963. (More on the history here!)

Since 2013, Tour de Troit has hosted a memorial ride for Dr. King in celebration of his life and legacy. Each January, participants grab their bikes and brave the cold along a route that highlights several important historical sites relevant to the legacy of King and other local activists fighting for social and racial injustice.

Giffels Webster is a proud supporter of the Detroit-based ride.

“Participating in the MLK memorial ride is something our team looks forward to every year,” said Christina McKenzie, marketing manager at Giffels Webster. “Tour de Troit promotes health and wellness through their cycling events year-round, and the opportunity to learn about an important part of Detroit’s history makes this ride extra special.”

The free memorial ride has grown to over 300 participants in the last eight years.

Tour de Troit raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation and publicizes the growing greenways network in Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan. The group organizes other events throughout the year including the Paczki Run, Tour d’Eastside, and its largest cycling event – the Tour de Troit.

“It’s amazing to stand (and ride!) alongside an organization like Tour de Troit who has made such an impact on Detroit’s non-motorized infrastructure,” said Mike Darga, partner at Giffels Webster.

Since 2005, Tour de Troit has raised over $360,000 towards supporting non-motorized infrastructure, including the Southwest Detroit Greenlink, the Green Taskforce, park improvements in Hamtramck, and the implementation of a standardized wayfinding system for the City of Detroit. 

To learn more about Tour de Troit or to register for an upcoming ride, visit tour-de-troit.org.