TRAVERSE CITY — The annual Tour de TART bicycle ride returns Friday, July 18, offering an evening ride along the Leelanau Trail, a catered dinner on the Suttons Bay waterfront, and transportation back to Traverse City.
Hosted by Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, the popular summertime event is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year. Registration is open online, with early bird pricing available through Friday, July 4.
This year’s event will start at DeYoung Natural Area, a new location for the ride. Cyclists can begin their trek between 4 and 6:30 p.m., with most completing the route to Suttons Bay in about two hours. Riders will enjoy two food and water stops along the way, including a luau-themed station hosted by Brick Wheels.
The evening ends at North Park in Suttons Bay with a bayside meal catered by VI Grill and Fiddleheads, complete with pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company, root beer floats made with Northwoods Soda and Milk & Honey ice cream, and local beer and wine available for purchase. Family-friendly music and activities will also be on site.
After dinner, participants will take a relaxing bus ride back to DeYoung Natural Area while their bicycles are transported by truck.
Tour de TART is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, with additional support from Hagerty, Munson Healthcare, DTE Foundation, and several other local sponsors.
The ride takes place rain or shine. All proceeds benefit TART Trails. For more information or to register, visit traversetrails.org/event/tour-de-tart.