About us
Solar Outdoors is a Southeast Michigan based club with more than 400 members. Founded in 1975, Solar Outdoors remains dedicated to helping its members enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Membership in the club is required to participate in our activities and workshops posted on our Meetup site. Annual dues are $15 for individuals. Please read further if you are interested in becoming a club member. Questions about membership can be directed to [solarmembership@solaroutdoors.org](mailto:solarmembership@solaroutdoors.org). Or select this link to become a member https://form.jotform.com/251014794107149
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Solar Outdoors members themselves organize workshops and events in which other members can participate. Whether you are a beginner or experienced wilderness enthusiast, you will find workshops, activities, and trips for all skill levels and many different interests including--but certainly not limited to!--backpacking, day hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, paddling, orienteering, wildflower and tree identification, whitewater rafting, and geocaching. Solar Outdoors members can also borrow gear from our store of packs, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, and other outdoor equipment for an annual member fee of $35.
To learn more about Solar Outdoors and its activities we encourage you to visit our website, www.solaroutdoors.org. There you will find a calendar of upcoming workshops and events. These sources give more information about who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We also welcome anyone interested in the club to attend our monthly meetings, held at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile Road, just west of Inkster Road, in Livonia on the last Tuesday of every month (except December) at 7 pm. SOLAR is not affiliated with St. Paul's or any other religious institution. Directions are available here: [http://solaroutdoors.com/solarmeetings.html](http://solaroutdoors.org/About/Meetings.aspx). The business meeting is followed by a program on a topic of general interest to our members.
Solar Outdoors uses Meetup as a tool of convenience for our members to quickly get information about upcoming classes and activities and to sign up and pay for these events online. That's why our Meetup group is restricted to paid members of the club and non-members have very limited access.
Once you have checked us out online and, we hope, in person by attending one of our monthly meetings, you can decide if becoming a member is right for you. If so, you can join the club by downloading the membership form (http://solaroutdoors.com/downloads/S.O.L.A....), filling it out, and either submitting it with a check for the dues payment at one of the meetings or mailing both to the address listed on the bottom of the membership form. Once you are a club member you will have access to this Meetup group.
Thank you for your interest in Solar Outdoors. We hope to meet you soon.
Upcoming events
7
- $20.00
BICYCLE CLEANING AND TUNING BASICS WORKSHOP May 2, 2026 (Rain date May 3)
ERIC BRUAN, 1900 DOWNHAM DR., WIXOM, MI, USBASIC INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO CLEAN, ADJUST AND MAINTAIN A BICYCLE
COST FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS $20 PAID ON MEETUP, CASH OR CHECK PAYABLE TO SOLAR.
INSTRUCTOR: ERIC BRAUN
eric.braun@us.bosch.com
(248) 568-3843
PRE-REQUIREMENTS:
NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. PARTICIPANT MUST BRING OWN BIKE AND ARE EXPECTED TO USE SIMPLE HAND TOOLS UNDER SUPERVISED INSTRUCTION. HANDS ON COURSE.
REQUIRED ITEMS TO BRING:
BICYCLE
RAGS (OLD T-SHIRT, TOWELS)
SPONGES (SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE)
DISH SOAP (CAR CLEANER)
CITRUS DEGREASER (BICYCLE OR PLASTIC SAFE)
BUCKETS (SMALL AND MED)
PLASTIC BOWL (SMALL, MED, LARGE)
SMALL BRUSHES (TOOTH BRUSH, PAINT BRUSH, NAIL BRUSH)
BICYCLE MULTI TOOL (PHILIPS SCREW DRIVER & ALLEN SET)
RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING:
BIKE STAND OR REAR CAR BIKE RACK (IF YOU HAVE ONE)
CHAIN CLEANER TOOL
PREASURIZED PUMP SPRAYER (DECK SPRAYER)
STOOL TO SIT ON (5 GALLON BUCKET)
WATERPROOF DISPOSABLE GLOVES
LIGHT OIL (WD40, 3 in 1, MINERAL)
SPRAY BOTTLE/S
CHAIN LUBE (DRY)
***Most items will be available at the workshop for participants to use if not able to bring.- HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BIKE
- CHAIN
- DERAILERS
- COGS
- SHIFTERS & CABELS
- WHEELS
- FRAME
- HOW TO LUBRICATE YOUR BIKE
- CHAIN
- SHIFTERS
- DERAILERS
- CABLES
- HOW TO TUNE (ADJUST) YOUR BIKE
- CHAIN, CHAINRING & COG INSPECTION
- INSPECTING WHEELS FOR TRUENESS
- SHIFTER ADJUSTMENTS
- BREAK ADJUSTMENTS
- MISCELLANEOUS
- BIKE FIT/ADJUSTMENT
- ADVANCED MAINTENANCE
- RIDING TECHNIQUES
- PROPER SHIFTING AND GEAR
- BREAKING TECHNIQUES
6 attendees 
Spring Workshop Cancelled (Look for a Fall workshop)
St Paul's Presbyterian Church, 27475 5 Mile Road, Livonia, MI, USCANCELLED - Due to unforeseen circumstances with instruction surgery/unavailability, we have had to cancel the spring workshop. We will look to offer this in the Fall of 2026. Please keep your eyes peeled for upcoming details
WORKSHOP DATES: to be announced (This is a Friday-Sunday)
Workshop Fee**: $95 (Solar Outdoors members paying via cash/venmo/check); $105 (Solar Outdoors members paying via meetup) includes Workshop handbook (electronic version), camping fees for the workshop and the practical and Saturday dinner at our Brighton Recreation Area Workshop. Sign up on Meetup or at the January-April Solar Outdoors general meetings.
Sign up deadline is:
One of the most popular workshops offered by Solar Outdoors members, the Beginning Backpacking Workshop teaches trip planning, equipment, food, and other topics to get you ready for the backcountry.
If you a) have never backpacked and have always wanted to try it; b) are new to the club and want to make friends and meet people; or c) want a refresher or just need an excuse to backpack - this is the workshop for you!
Workshop #1 date: Fall 2026 – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
LOCATION: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 27475 Five Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154
*Gear Pick Up -Participants(Must be Solar Members): Saturday
LOCATION: Clover Self Storage, 28900 Schoolcraft, Livonia, MI 48150
Workshop #2: Weekend workshop
LOCATION: Brighton Recreation Area/Migizi (Frontier) Cabin (A Michigan State Recreation Passport is needed to enter Brighton Recreation Area). This will be a camping weekend.
Practical: FALL 2026
LOCATION: Sand Lakes Quiet Area (Williamsburg, MI) ( (to ensure participants are ready for this Practical, participant must attend the Workshops at St. John’s Presbyterian Church and Brighton Recreation Area). Hike approximately 12 miles over 3 days.- Host: Krisanne Schmidt - Please text me directly with questions at
- 248-761-2297.
Club membership is required to participate in our activities and workshops posted on our Meetup site. Annual dues are $15 for individuals. Select this link to become a member https://square.link/u/YpuCsZIT
Solar Outdoors Members – The Club gear is available to borrow. An annual rental fee of $35 is due at time of gear distribution along with a deposit check (this check is returned uncashed when you return gear clean, dry, undamaged). Gear available to borrow: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, water filter; a complete list of gear available to borrow can be found on the Solar Outdoors website at: https://www.solaroutdoors.org/gear/). Items not available to borrow: clothing, hiking boots, rain gear, compass, food for the practical (exception is the Workshop dinner on Saturday at Brighton Recreation Area).
2 attendees
Past events
1464
