Join some of the hippest cats in the cave for the most fun, exciting and thrilling bike ride of the year!
It’s the ride everyone should circle on their calendars. The Pancake Ride is an annual tradition for Traverse City cyclists of all abilities. From the freaky fast to the casual cruiser, the Pancake Ride is a blast for everyone. Held on a convenient weekend around the 4th of July, the ride offers up three routes to choose from and a hearty meal of hot cakes at the conclusion.
The ride leaves from the park located at 9440 E. Cherry Bend Road at 7.30 am on July 7. All abilities roll out together, a great chance to roll alongside some of the area’s fastest and friendliest until the pace hots up over the summit of Kasson Road. The 30 mile loop heads back to the park to warm up the griddles and prepare the Kool-Aid for those making ambitious loops of Leelanau County.
The 55 mile loop is a scenic loop around Big Glen Lake and back east while politely skipping the Cherry-Roubaix course and the infamous Tower Road climb that serves as the final straw on the 80 mile route. Both the Long 80 and Medium 55 conclude on Philosophy Road, the trademark winding climb that crests the ridge overlooking West Bay and spilling down back to the park. Even the 55 mile loop totals 2,900 feet of ascension, and the 80 mile offers a ridiculous 4,800 feet, including 6 categorized climbs according to MapMyRide.
Show up, ride hard and enjoy some expertly flipped flap jacks stacked high.