Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

Southeast MI Family Enjoys Time on the Trails and Being Active
By Gretchen Mensing, Michigan Fitness Foundation

On my first day riding the Michigander Bicycle Tour, I had the pleasure of meeting Dick Blint of Shelby Township.   An avid biker and runner, he is a great role model for physical activity. Blint has participated in the Michigander for 15 of its 18 years. This year, he brought along his daughter and four of his nine grandchildren. 
You couldn’t miss Blint’s family on the trail today; they all wore matching blue t-shirts signifying that they are a team, “riding with Grandpa”. Even more special is the tradition Blint is building. As I talked with him, I could see his love for his family and how important this time is to him.  His daughter, Heather Kaminski of Troy, is riding her fifth Michigander this year.  She began riding the tour to have special time with her dad.  Last year, she brought along her daughter Noelle.  And according to Blint, when Noelle talked about riding the tour again this year, three of his other grandchildren said they wanted to come too.  So today was the first experience riding the Michigander for Benjamin, Aaron and Samantha Boven of Brown City.
It was Blint’s idea to order the matching t-shirts for his family, saying, “it’s a once in a lifetime ride.”  He enjoys sharing his passion for bicycling as well as his love of trails with his family – and he hopes to get more of his grandchildren involved next year.
“In Shelby Township, we have access to many trails. When the grandchildren come over I take them out riding.”
Blint’s daughter knows that she and her father are setting an important example for the children by being active.
“I hope that to my kids, being active is just a lifestyle, not a lifestyle change. I want it to be something they learn to do and will always love to do,” she says.
I asked Blint if he thought his grandkids had a good time today, riding the approximately 48-mile route.
“They are doing pretty well so far,” he said. “Some were kind of dragging toward the end. But they really loved the trails.”
However, there is no question in my mind whether this grandfather is enjoying the 2009 Michigander.
“We’re having a good time,” he said, with a big smile.

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