The Detroit News A total of 10 sheriff’s deputies are cruising Woodward’s grassy median the old fashioned way — on horseback.
But, Oakland County’s Sheriff Mike Bouchard is doing it the Woodward way — riding a Harley Davidson Road King police motorcycle. “The numbers are down a little bit, I’d say,” Bouchard said, taking a break at 13 Mile Road. “I’ve been up and down the entire route and there are open spaces. There isn’t the depth of the crowd I’ve seen in the past. As soon as you get past (north of) Maple there are huge gaps until you get to Pontiac, where the crowds pick up again.” Bouchard is riding a specially decorated black-painted hog with his name and a pair of fuzzy red dice hanging from the handle grip. He bought the dice at a cruise charity event six years ago and they’ve come out of the saddlebags for this event every year since. He declined to estimate the number of onlookers, but said the event remains huge despite his impression that the number of gawkers and participants is smaller than in the past. “There are still an awful lot of people here having a great time,” Bouchard said. “I just spoke with a guy from England. It’s amazing how well-known this event has become.”
Bouchard added the near-90-degree temperature also has caused numerous paramedic runs for people suffering from the heat and dehydration. He is unaware of any life-threatening incidents or issues with misbehaving hot rodders.