Family-Friendly Bike Events in Northern Michigan
Norte Youth Cycling hosts, volunteers, and supports countless family-friendly events in Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and nearby communities all year long. Check our community calendar for fun things to do this weekend, or sign up for our newsletter to get our latest happenings delivered to your inbox every Wednesday morning.
Looking for our Slow Roll schedule? You can view Traverse City and Elk Rapids dates on the Community Slow Roll page.
Interesting in adding your event to our calendar? Get in touch!
Northern Michigan Events
Traverse City Light Parade!
Hop on your bike and join Norte for a glow-tastic night in the Light Parade! ✨ Bring your bike already decked out in lights, or come early and we'll help you transform it!
Expect an email with all the important details—like where to meet—before the big night!
Sign up below:
Iceman Balance Bike Race (Sno-Cone)
This version of the Iceman (Sno-Cone) is a for youngsters 10 & under. The courses will consist of a short (1/4 mile) and relatively flat loop around Timber Ridge Resort for the very youngest riders and a 1.5 mile course for older riders.
Registration is FREE. All participants receive a medal, a bike number plate, and more! There are no registration fees for this event thanks to the generosity of our Iceman riders.
Fall Fun Ride!
Join us for our Fall Fun Ride! We’ll kick off and wrap up at TC Whiskey on 14th Street, where you can soak up the autumn colors. Our route features a scenic four-mile loop around Boardman Lake, perfect for a leisurely ride. After we finish, stick around for a tasty treat from the food truck parked right outside TC Whiskey. Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and quality time with family and friends as we celebrate the beauty of fall together.
Fall Yard Sale!
Join Norte at the Clubhouse for our Fall Yard Sale! The sale runs from 11 AM to 5:30 PM. Stop by to explore a variety of bikes, racks, and bike-related items for sale. All proceeds support our youth programs. We hope to see you there!
Brick Wheels 50th!
Brick Wheels is celebrating 50 years on two wheels, and giving back to Norte and TART Trails in the process!
Join the bike, cross country ski and adventure community to celebrate a half century of Brick Wheels. There will be live music, food and drink trucks and plenty of good times for all ages. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursday, October 3 at Brick Wheels (736 Eighth St)
Ticket proceeds will support Norte Youth Cycling and TART Trails!
TCTF Balance Bike Race
Join Norte at Traverse City Trails Fest for the Balance Bike Race! Get set for an exciting day of racing at Timber Ridge on Saturday, September 28th. This event is free and open exclusively to balance bikes for young riders aged 2-6. Participants can register online, or in person on the morning of the event, and prepare for some heart-pumping, adorable action!
Pride Ride!
Join Norte and Up North Pride for Pride Ride 2024! We will start at F&M Park and ride about two miles ending at The Little Fleet for sign decorating with Up North Pride!
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
More Girls on Bikes: Bike and Blend!
Get ready for a pedal-powered ride with Norte and Tropical Smoothie Cafe! 🚴♀️
Join us for a fantastic evening of cruising, smoothies, and snacks! We’ll take a leisurely bike ride to Tropical Smoothie Cafe, where you can sip on delicious smoothies, munch on tasty treats, and mingle with friends. We’ll kick things off and wrap up at the Norte Clubhouse. This event is open to women of all ages, so grab a buddy and come along for the fun!
Note: Kids under 12 will need an adult sidekick to join the adventure. See you there!
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
The Munga Grit USA
The Munga Grit Traverse City will begin and end at Black Star Farms outside the town of Traverse City, Michigan. Incredibly, we have secured permission to follow the iconic Leelanau, Sleeping Bear and Betsie Valley trails, so the route will head out in a counter-clockwise direction following the Leelanau Trail out north towards Sutton’s Bay. Then it will pick up the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, before heading south to the small town of Frankfort where it will pick up the Betsie Valley trail. From Thompsonville, the route will follow dirt roads south into the Manistee river valley before heading up north towards Lake Anne and eventually back to Black Star Farms. The route will be a GPS route only, so no navigation required. The route will be around 170 miles.
Traverse City Slow Roll
Nothing brings people together like a bike ride! Slow Rolls are our free community bike rides designed to provide a fun, social experience on two wheels. Show up, slow down, and explore your community at an entirely new pace.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Balance Bike Bash!
Join Norte for our Balance Bike Bash! We’ll have a face painter, a musician, and races. Sign up to participate in this fun, free community event as we celebrate the end of summer and wrap up our Balance Bike Meet-Ups!
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
More Girls on Bikes: Pedal Rotations & Sun Salutations
Join Norte and Embody TC for a fun night of biking and yoga! We'll go for a leisurely cruise around town (2-3 miles), then head back to the Civic Center for a partner yoga session led by Embody TC. Women of all ages are welcome to attend.
Grab a friend and join us! Pizza will be provided after yoga.
All attendees under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Traverse City Slow Roll
Nothing brings people together like a bike ride! Slow Rolls are our free community bike rides designed to provide a fun, social experience on two wheels. Show up, slow down, and explore your community at an entirely new pace.
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Harbor Days Parade- Ride with Norte!
Norte is riding in the Harbor Days Parade! Join us at Cedar Street Parking Lot to decorate bikes and ride in the parade! Be there at 10am so we have time to get our bikes looking nice! Sign up below!
Patrick's Ride for Norte
Join us for Norte's biggest fundraiser of the year! Every participant can help us get more kids on bikes. Here’s how:
Register to ride. We’ll create a fundraising profile for you to send to friends and family to help them support your ride and Norte’s mission.
Raise money by sharing your fundraising profile with friends and family to help them support your ride and Norte’s mission.
Ride up on July 27 and ride with cyclists from around the state in a relaxed, fun-first environment!
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
More Girls on Bikes: Ice Cream Ride!
Calling all girls who love bikes and ice cream! 🍦Join us for a sweet More Girls on Bikes meetup ride on Tuesday, July 23rd as we cruise through neighborhoods and make our way to Bardon’s. Meet us at the Norte Clubhouse by 6pm for rollout. All ages are welcome – the more, the merrier!
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Balance Bike Meet-Up Traverse City
From June through August, we host Balance Bike Club meetups for the first time riders in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone—no need to bring your bike. We have plenty to lend out. From 10:30AM-11:30AM Wednesdays in Traverse City at the Norte Clubhouse. Books, Bikes and Bubbles is for riders ages 2–5.
Bikes for All
Bikes for All is open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. We offer adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding.
We're committed to building healthy and active communities, so we've launched Bikes for All Meetups every Tuesday at 10:30 am from June to August. These Meetups create a welcoming space where individuals with special needs can connect and build a sense of community—and ride and have fun! Join us at the Clubhouse for ride this summer.
Our impact in the region is powered by the generosity of individuals, foundations, local businesses, and our partner organizations. Please join us as a Norte donor. Your gift helps create environments and opportunities for children in our region to thrive—on and off a bike.
Thank you for joining us on this important journey!