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Fund-raising bike ride, an air show and festival are on tap

Wayne State University President Roy Wilson has assured staffers that he can pedal his bike 100 miles Saturday for the second annual Baroudeur — a fund-raising “century” ride that Wilson founded last year to fund scholarships.
“President Wilson’s two passions in life are cycling and helping students get an education, so he combined the two for this event,” WSU spokesman Matt Lockwood said.
The trim and tough Wilson just finished an arduous 150-mile ride last weekend, “so we’re pretty sure he can do this one," Lockwood said. With 750 entries logged as of Wednesday afternoon, organizers are hoping for a spate of last-minute entries to exceed last year's 1,000 riders, he said.
For $65, cyclists can sign up for any of three rides — 25 miles, 62 miles (a “metric century”) and the 100-mile headliner event. They get refreshments on the ride, two beer tickets and lunch at a post-ride party, free parking and a Baroudeur T-shirt. Events start at 7 a.m. For more information:https://baroudeur.wayne.edu/details.php.
Baroudeur — pronounced BAR-row-door — is French for fighter, and in bike racing it's a rider who isn’t afraid to swing out of line and battle ahead of the crowd. The event starts and ends on the central campus beside the student center, after participants park their cars in Structure No. 2 on Anthony Wayne Drive, officials said.
Riders will stay well south of Oakland County on all three routes, with the 100-milers going east to the Grosse Pointes as well south to Grosse Ile before returning to the university.
Although Saturday’s Woodward Dream Cruise grabs attention each year on the third Saturday of August, the Baroudeur is among options this weekend for those seeking to duck the swarm of collector cars sure to crowd M-1 in Oakland County, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. They include:
  • Hardball: Tigers fans can enjoy Saturday night’s game at 7 p.m. against the Boston Red Sox. It’s another “fireworks night.” Call 313-962-4000. Tickets start at $22 for standing room. But there’s plenty of free amateur baseball around — like the Motor City Royals vs. Zug Island Lugnuts, playing Saturday at Brother Rice Field, 1515 Equity Drive in Troy. The teams are hard-swinging seniors in a 55-plus league.
  • Airborne acrobats: The 2016 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show presented by Wayne County Airport Authority is scheduled 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at Willow Run Airport in Van Buren Township. The show benefits the nonprofit Yankee Air Museum. See www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow or call 734-483-4030.
  • African culture: The 34th annual African World Festival is scheduled 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. The free event offers music, fashions, food, art, dance, storytelling and tours. The museum is at 315 E. Warren. Call 313-494-5800.
  • Swashbuckling history: The Michigan Renaissance Festival, at 12600 Dixie Highway in Holly, starts Saturday and runs through Oct. 2, features jousting matches, theatrical performances, live music and endless gift shops. To fully enjoy, dress in 16th-Century garb to roam the 17-acre village. Call 248-634-5552.
Contact Bill Laitner: blaitner@freepress.com or 313-223-4485.

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