Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails will host the Tour de TART bicycle event tonight (Friday, July 22). More than 600 bicyclists of all ages will hit the TART and Leelanau Trails Friday for an evening ride to Suttons Bay. The 16th annual Tour de TART begins at Darrow Park off Bay Street in Traverse City and ends at Marina Park in the Village of Suttons Bay. Riders can start anytime between 4pm and 6:30pm. Participants will enjoy two food stops along the 17-mile paved trail hosted by Brick Wheels and Norte Youth Cycling. There are still some openings.

The flat course is suitable for cyclists of all abilities and ages. At its conclusion, participants enjoy a bayside meal catered by the VI Grill in Suttons Bay, root beer floats provided by Milk & Honey, music on the beach by Platinum Sound, and local libations available for purchase including Short’s beer and Black Star Farms wine. Afterwards, participants return by bus to Traverse City, while their bicycles return by truck.

Tour de TART will be “zero waste” thanks to composting and recycling provided by Bay Area Recycling for Charities. Tour de TART takes place rain or shine. All proceeds benefit TART Trails. For more information, visit www.traversetrails.org.