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 11am. Pick your “tour” / “wave” time at check-out.

  • Afterparty from 4-8pm featuring food, entertainment, 1 complimentary beer and a commemorative pint glass.

  • SAG (service & gear) provided by Downtown Ferndale Bikeshop.

  • Routes stop at numerous participating bars for water, food specials & limited beer sampling along the way. Guests will receive beer sample vouchers valid for no more than 24 ounces while riding. Enjoy further sampling at the Gears & Beers Afterparty.
    Note: Secure bike parking will be available at each stop along the designated routes.

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.

2017 Ale Trail Route To Be Announced
2016 Route: The Ale Trail is a strictly self-guided route that is approximately 10 miles and begins at Chene Park. From Chene Park riders will make their way to Corktown and their first stop at  Brew Detroit to experience the brand new Tasting Room. From there riders will make their way to the heart of Corktown, passing the beautiful Michigan Central Station while  heading to Michigan Avenue to stop at Bobcat Bonnie’s and/or McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar. From Corktown riders will head to Midtown to stop at Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery and/or Traffic Jam & Snug. Riders will then cut through the Russell Industrial Center and Eastern Market , and down the brand new Dequindre Cut to Atwater Brewery. The Ale Trail concludes at Chene Park for the official Gears & Beers Afterparty.

Note: This route is subject to change based on events, road closures, etc.

View the 2016 Route Map

Register for the ride

2017 Lager Tour Route To Be Announced
2016 Route: The Lager Tour is approximately 15 Miles, beginning at Chene Park and making the first stop at Armando’s Mexican Restaurant on the corner of Vernor and Clarkdale. From Mexicantown riders will make their way to Corktown to stop at  Brew Detroit to experience the brand new Tasting Room. From there riders will make their way to the heart of Corktown, passing the beautiful Michigan Central Station while  heading to Michigan Avenue to stop at Bobcat Bonnie’s and/or McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar. From Corktown riders will head to Midtown to stop at Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery and/or Traffic Jam & Snug. Leaving Midtown, riders will head down Woodward Avenue to stop at Z’s Villa for refreshments and possibly some volleyball. Riders will then cut through the Russell Industrial Center and Eastern Market, and down the brand new Dequindre Cut to Atwater Brewery. The Lager Tour concludes at Chene Park for the official Gears & Beers Afterparty.

Note: This route is subject to change based on events, road closures, etc.

View the 2016 Route Map

Register for the ride

2017 Beer Buster Tour Route To Be Announced
2016 Route: The Beer Buster Tour is approximately 25 Miles long and is the most popular Gears & Beers route. Beginning at Chene Park, riders will make their first stop at Armando’s Mexican Restaurant on the corner of Vernor and Clarkdale. From Mexicantown riders will make their way to Corktown to stop at  Brew Detroit to experience the brand new Tasting Room. From there riders will make their way to the heart of Corktown, passing the beautiful Michigan Central Station while  heading to Michigan Avenue to stop at Bobcat Bonnie’s and/or McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar. From Corktown riders will head to Midtown to stop at Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery and/or Traffic Jam & Snug. From Midtown, riders will take a leisurely half hour ride through the historic neighborhood of Boston-Edison and the Heidelberg Project (possibly in its last year of existence), on their way to Hamtramck to enjoy authentic Polish cuisine and explore five of the best dive bars in the city: Baker Streetcar Bar, P.L.A.V. Post 6, Polonia Restaurant, Suzy’s, and Whiskey in the Jar. New to the ride is a stop at The Fowling Warehouse, where riders can enjoy 2 free hours of fowling from 2-4pm. From Hamtramck riders will take a ride around Belle Isle, then take Jefferson Avenue to the Riverwalk towards Atwater Brewery. The Beer Buster Tour concludes at Chene Park for the official Gears & Beers Afterparty.

Note: This route is subject to change based on events, road closures, etc.

View the 2016 Route Map

Register for the ride