Michigan · United States
Cycling in Traverse City
Best season: May–October
Traverse City sits at the hinge of northern Michigan’s best paved riding. The TART Trail — the Traverse Area Recreation Trail — runs about 10.5 flat, paved miles east to west across town, tying together both arms of Grand Traverse Bay and feeding into the Leelanau Trail, which climbs gently northwest through vineyards toward Suttons Bay. Add the Boardman Lake Loop downtown and the nearby Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, and you can string together days of car-free miles without repeating yourself.
The riding is easy and scenic rather than technical: flat asphalt, bay views, and a wine-country payoff at the end of the Leelanau Trail. That makes it ideal for cruisers and e-bikes, which is exactly what the local shops stock. The River Outfitters rents right on the Boardman Lake Loop with helmet and lock included, and Einstein Cycles sits on the TART itself at the gateway to the Leelanau Trail, with everything from hybrids to fat and road bikes.
For lodging, the Anchor Inn rents e-bikes to guests just half a mile from the start of the Leelanau Trail, and the waterfront Bayshore Resort has bikes delivered to the door through Grand Traverse Bike Tours — the same outfit that runs guided Leelanau wine-trail rides if you’d rather someone else handle the logistics and the lunch.
Plan for roughly May through October. Late September and October bring fall color and harvest season on the wine trail; midsummer is peak for the beaches, bays, and longest daylight, so book bikes and bayfront rooms ahead.
Weather in Traverse City
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · TRAVERSE CITY MUNSON- Jan 28° 15° 2.7"
- Feb 30° 14° 2.0"
- Mar 39° 21° 2.1"
- Apr 52° 31° 3.4"
- May 65° 42° 3.5"
- Jun 75° 53° 2.9"
- Jul 79° 58° 2.8"
- Aug 78° 57° 3.2"
- Sep 71° 50° 3.6"
- Oct 57° 39° 4.1"
- Nov 44° 30° 3.2"
- Dec 33° 22° 2.7"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Anchor Inn
West Grand Traverse Bay inn that rents e-bikes to guests (~$50/day) just half a mile from the start of the Leelanau Trail, which connects to wineries and to downtown via the TART Trail.
From $150+/night
Before you book: Confirm the e-bike program runs for 2026, that standard (non-wedding) guests pay the listed fee, fleet availability at peak, and waiver/minimum age.
Bike program verified via source (2026-07-12)
Bayshore Resort
Waterfront resort near downtown where Grand Traverse Bike Tours delivers rental bikes (including e-bikes) to the door, free on two or more, for easy access to the TART Trail along the bay.
From $180+/night
Before you book: Confirm the Grand Traverse Bike Tours delivery arrangement for 2026, current rates, bike types, and the online-waiver/24-hour-advance booking requirement.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-12)
Where to rent or borrow a bike
Einstein Cycles
From $45/half-day
Sits on the TART Trail at 1990 US-31 N with direct access to the Leelanau Trail toward Suttons Bay; rents electric, fat, road, mountain, and cruiser bikes in sizes XS-XL.
Call ahead: Confirm hours, phone, helmet/lock inclusion, and waiver — none are listed on the rentals page.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
The River Outfitters
From $20/day
Located directly on the Boardman Lake Loop TART Trail at Medalie Park with free parking; cruisers, hybrids, kids' bikes and e-bikes, with map, helmet, and lock included in every rental.
Call ahead: Confirm hours and whether a waiver is required (not stated on the rentals page).
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Guided bike tours
Leelanau Wine Trail Bike Tour
Grand Traverse Bike Tours
Guided ride along the paved Leelanau Trail linking Grand Traverse wineries, with bike and helmet provided and a catered lunch overlooking the vineyards; an e-bike option is also offered.
Where these are on the map Traverse City
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