Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails is announcing the 9th annual Tour de TART event. Hit the TART for an evening ride that begins in Traverse City and ends at marina park in the Village of Suttons Bay! The non-competitive event will take place Friday, August 7. Celebrate this rural trail corridor connecting these two northern Michigan communities and experience parts of Leelanau County that you can’t see from the road!

Start anytime between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., enjoy snacks along the 19-mile ride, a bayside meal at the Suttons Bay marina park, and then relax on a bus ride back home. Bus service begins at 7:30 p.m. and the last bus departs at 9:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online at www.traversetrails.org (for a small fee), or pick up a registration form at the TART office (415 S. Union St. in Old Town Traverse City) or at local bike shops. The cost is $25 for adults and $5 for children until August 1, thereafter the cost is $35 for adults. Day of ride registration is also available from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

THE COURSE:
Heading out from EuroStop Deli located at 8th Street/ Woodmere Ave in Traverse City, cyclists will ride on the TART and Leelanau trails to the Suttons Bay Marina. Twelve miles are paved and seven miles unpaved (hard-packed, two-track). The flat course is suitable for cyclists of all abilities and ages.

A road ride option is available for riders who prefer pavement. Again this year, we will be offering special transportation for Suttons Bay area participants. A bus (and truck for bikes) will leave the Suttons Bay Marina promptly at 4:00 p.m. and drop riders at event check-in in Traverse City. Participants must pre-register for the shuttle option.

This event occurs rain or shine! All proceeds benefit TART Trails.