Short and long, tough and easy, Wheelhouse offers a variety of guided tours for cyclists of all abilities and stamina level. What’s your interest? Detroit architecture…family rides…neighborhood excursions…dining tours…We can even craft a custom tour for your business or family!
We design many of our neighborhood tours in concert with a community partner organization. This way, we can be sure that the most accurate -- and interesting -- information can be shared with our riders. Community partners also receive half of our tour proceeds, so your money is going back into the neighborhood you've visited!
Curious about our tours? Watch a video of one here:
Call 313-656-BIKE (2453) or email info@wheelhousedetroit.com for more information. Please note that all mileages are estimates.
the Libby & Alan wedding bike tour
date:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
time:
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
tour price:
$5.00
with bike rental:
$15.00
Private tour for guests of Libby & Alans wedding. Join your tour guides - Alan & Libby - as they take you on a tour of some of their Detroit favs, including the newly renovated Detroit Riverferont, the see-it-to-believe-it Dequindre cut, and a lunch stop at Supinos for some of the best pizza in town. A portion of the tour proceeds will benefit the Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative (DECC).
Ford Birthday Tour
date:
Saturday, August 01, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
In commemoration of the July 30 birthday of Henry Ford, this tour takes in some of the most significant auto heritage sites in the nation, including the Globe Building, the route of the first car in Detroit, The Piquette Model T Plant, the Highland Park Ford Plant, Oakman Boulevard, the Ford House in Boston-Edison and the historic Ford garage site in Downtown. Remember, Ford started as a bike mechanic! Ride Distance: 18 miles. Community Partner: Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
Southwest Detroit/Fort Wayne
date:
Saturday, August 29, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
Viva Southwest! This tour will first focus on bustling Vernor Highway, lined with taquerias and thriving retail businesses, Clark Park and Holy Redeemer Church. After a swing through bucolic Woodmere Cemetery, we will stop for some sliders from the legendary Motz! On the way back to the Wheelhouse, we will cruise through historic Fort Wayne, the Hubbard Farms residential community and bustling restaurant row in Mexicantown. Ride distance: 18 miles. Community Partner: Savor Southwest Detroit/SDBA
The Villages
date:
Sunday, September 27, 2009
time:
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
This bike tour will take in the east end of the Detroit RiverWalk, the Berry Sub (home of the Manoogian Mansion), the cluster of Gold Coast apartment complexes, the stately manors of Indian Village and the quirky charm of West Village. We’ll also be checking in with the Living in the V! event to learn more about the community and grab some refreshments. Ride distance: 10 miles. Community Partner: The Villages CDC.
Conner Creek Greenway
date:
Saturday, October 03, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$30.00
with bike rental:
$40.00
This ones a ride! Well take Gratiot – and wave at the Better Made factory! - out to the eastsides Conner Creek Greenway, some of which is completed. Points of interest include Norris Town, the Dorais Velodrome and the Milbank Trail. A lunch stop at the historic (haunted) Two Way Inn is included in the tour. Ride distance: 25 miles. Community partner: Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative.
Southwest Detroit/Michigan Avenue
date:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
Viva Southwest! This tour will first focus on bustling Vernor Highway, lined with taquerias and thriving retail businesses, Clark Park and Holy Redeemer Church. Next up is sprawling Patton Park and the community garden at Romanowski Park. Well cruise Michigan Avenue on the way home, with a stop for lunch at the classic Hygrade Deli. Ride distance: 16 miles. Community Partner: Savor Southwest Detroit/SDBA
Architecture (fall edition)
date:
Saturday, October 17, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
Local architect Brian Hurttienne will lead this overview of significant architecture in and around Downtown Detroit. The discussion will center on architecture in relation to urban planning, past and future developments as well as the social implications of architectural design, good and bad, in Detroit. Sites include Elmwood Cemetery, Lafayette Park, Brush Park, Wayne State University and the Medical Center. Ride distance: 15 miles. Community Partner: AIA Emerging Professionals Committee.
Eastern Market
date:
Saturday, October 24, 2009
time:
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
tour price:
$25.00
with bike rental:
$35.00
After shooting up the Dequindre Cut to Eastern Market, one of Southeast Michigan’s most-vibrant places, cyclists will hear an overview of the 10-year plan for the area served up alongside lunch from neighborhood favorite Supino Pizza. Then, we will walk off lunch with a tour of the area’s specialty shops and restaurants before hopping back on our bikes. The ride back to the Wheelhouse will jog through the architecturally-significant Lafayette Park. Lunch included in price of tour. Distance: 5 mile ride with half-mile walk. Community Partner: Eastern Market Corporation.
Other Suggested Rides
There are tons of group rides and great cycling destinations in Detroit (and the suburbs, too!).
Destinations and semi-regular rides:
DetroitBikes! Monthly bike tours of Detroit, leisurely pace, free.
Ride of Silence: An annual, national, slow-paced bicycle ride that takes place the third Wednesday of May to honor those cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. The Detroit Ride of Silence 2009 will begin on May 20 at Belle Isle leaving from Scott Fountain promptly at 7:00 pm. The 10-mile ride will head west along Jefferson, north along Woodward to Comerica Park, and reverse route back. After the ride, there will be a free bar-b-que sponsored by Macomb Bike & Fitness.
Colin Hubbell Memorial Bike Ride: June 20 @ 10 a.m. -- An 18-mile tour of Belle Isle, Downtown, Midtown and New Center in honor of developer and Detroit-booster Colin Hubbell. All funds raised will benefit the Colin Hubbell Fund, which is designed to benefit community organizations and start-up businesses in Midtown. There is also a 5-mile family ride option.
Tour de Troit: Annual tour of Detroit each September with a police escort, and a great lunch and after-ride celebration in Roosevelt Park, the heart of beautiful Corktown. In 2008, about 1,1000 participants cycled 40 miles in the D! This year, the ride is set for September 19.
Velodrome at Bloomer Park: The Detroit-area velodrome is located at Bloomer Park, in Rochester Hills. Open to the public, with lessons, rentals and regularly scheduled races most nights.
Weekly Rides.
Sunday brunch rides with the Wheelhouse will start up in July - stay tuned for more info!
Beat The Train: Saturdays, 6:00 a.m. @ Fort Wayne.
Clinton River Riders: Various days, times, and locations -- check their site.
Slow Spokes: Primarily southern Macomb County, with various dates, times and locations.
Wolverine Sports Club: Rides every day except Friday, throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Cycling Saddlemen: Rides on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, Hines Drive and Dearborn.
Bike Grosse Pointe: Rides on Saturday and Sunday mornings that meet in Grosse Pointe.
Special thanks to Steve Roach of Miller Canfield and the League of Michigan Bicyclists for helping to compile this list.