Experience some of Detroit’s most notorious and interesting bars, watering holes, and breweries by BIKE!
Gears and Beers is a point to point tour of Detroit’s historic neighborhoods, notorious bars & watering holes, and popular up-and-coming destinations. Participants in the Gears & Beers Tour can learn about the Detroit’s rich history through the stories and urban legends surrounding many of the city’s landmarks.
SEE PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
Choice of self-guided or group tours. Beginning at 10am. Pick your “tour” / “wave” time at check-out.
Afterparty from 4-6:30pm featuring food, entertainment and a commemorative pint glass and free entry to the Boat House Beer Fest.
SAG (service & gear) provided by Downtown Ferndale Bikeshop.
Routes stop at numerous participating bars for water, food specials & limited beer sampling along the way. Beer samples (3 oz) of the featured beers are provided by the bars at their discretion. Beer and food specials will be offered along the way. Optional beer samples are available at the afterparty at the Boathouse Beer Fest.
Note: Designated bike parking will be available at each stop along the designated routes. We always recommend locking your bikes.
Two ways to participate in the bike ride:
1 · Self-Guided/Self-Paced Tour:
Maps with self-guided tour information with a well-marked course along the way for those who want to go at their own pace and make their own personal experiences.
Note: The Ale Trail Route is only available as a self-guided tour.
2 · Group Pace Tour:
With the assistance of ride guides, you can bike in a larger group. Guided tours will start at specific times and leave from each pub at a designated time to keep the group on a fun-paced schedule. You can start or join a tour group at any time and decide to stay with the group or leave at any time! Specific tour times will begin at 10am and run every half hour until 11:30am.
Note: The Ale Trail Route is only available as a self-guided tour.
The Ale Trail is a shorter ride option and perfect for beginner to intermediate riders or those with a limited time to enjoy the ride. The Ale Trail is SELF GUIDED.
The Lager Tour is approximately 15 miles and typically encompasses visiting 3 “neighborhoods” of Detroit.
This may include the downtown waterfront areas (warehouse district, Ren Cen district, corktown, midtown and east side Detroit stops near Belle Isle and Indian Village areas.
This route can be self-guided or register for a group ride wave time departing every half hour 9am-11:30am.
Wave times and distances are selected as part of the registration process.
The Beer Buster route is approximately 25-30 miles and typically encompasses visiting 4 “neighborhoods” of Detroit.
In addition to the downtown warehouse district, Ren Cen district, Corktown, Midtown, Easter Market and east side Detroit near Belle Isle and Indian Village. The Beer Buster route may venture out to SW Detroit’s Mexican Town, West Mid Town & Hamtramck.
This route can be self guided or register for a group ride wave time departing every half hour 9am-11:30am.
Wave times and distances are selected as part of the registration process.
