At Dandyhorse, we share true insider bike adventures packed with local charm, fresh air, and inspiration. We believe in providing true FOMO*-free explorations of San Francisco’s fascinating history, distinctive neighborhoods, quirky architecture, glorious nature, and irresistible food. Embrace curiosity, celebrate wonder, and get ready to experience more than you thought was possible. YOLO**!

*fear of missing out **you only live once

Who we are

Nick

Tour Guide, Bike Builder, and Local Historian

Hi I’m, Nick, the owner at Dandyhorse. I lead all of the bike adventures, lovingly custom build the bikes, and nerd out on all the details to make the experience special for you. I am a lifelong San Francisco enthusiast and longtime resident who loves exploring the city, it’s best food, fascinating history, and sharing the most special parts on my tours.

I created Dandyhorse to share something that didn’t exist in SF: authentic, expansive adventures by bike that felt like they were led by a good friend–the kind of cool experience we dream of when traveling. Through years of development I am proud to welcome you a one-of-a-kind San Francisco adventure.

hope to see you soon,
Nick

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Our Mission

What we share with every guest

THE SF MAGIC

revealing, celebrating, and adding to (in our own small way) the magic of this magical city. Get an the inside perspective from longtime local guides on SF’s best history, food, subcultures, natural beauties, and man-made wonders and charms.

Experiences fit for locals

And curious travelers. All of our adventures are crafted by locals. If you’re a lifetime local, the goal is for you to experience the city in a fresh, exciting way. Our tours are the perfect staycation and a way to get inspired and fall in love with San Francisco all over again. They’re also ideal for travelers who want an authentic showcase of local culture.

A celebration of SF history & culture

We have a background in arts and teaching, so we know the value of lifetime learning. On each adventure, we share our passion for San Francisco’s special (and often infamous) pieces of history and culture that are woven into the colorful fabric of our great city. You’ll hear stories about SF landmarks, Victorian architecture, central heroes and villains, destruction, rebirth, and evolution. We bring learning to life with our iPad archival collection of special historical photos and videos.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

making every guest feel like they have a good friend in San Francisco who loves to nerd out on every aspect of the city, knows all the coolest places to go, eat, and see,and has the just-right bike for them.

Quality over quantity

Everything we do begins with a focus on quality and the details that make for an extra-special experience. From our workshop space that celebrates San Francisco, to the custom bikes we build ourselves, to our meticulously-crafted routes, our goal is to give you a truly magical and personal experience.

‘Best of SF’ food and drinks

We’re equal parts bike nerds, history buffs, and foodies. The best part about biking the city is experiencing all the best food and drink spots. Each adventure highlights San Francisco’s local food culture, including our favorites restaurants, food trucks, coffee shops, chocolatiers, breweries, and dives so you get a full taste of the city on every ride. Download our guide for a list of favorites by neighborhood.

SUSTAINABLE STYLE

promoting bikes for travel and transport both because it’s a sustainable, healthy choice and because we believe it’s hands-down the best way to see, experience, and get around SF (and lots of other places, too!)

An epic and accessible ride

Our tours are about fun, freedom, and feeling like a kid again. And our new electric bikes mean worrying about the SF hills or being able to keep up, is history. All our tours share the full grandeur of San Francisco, including its finest hilltop views, neighborhoods, nature, and landmarks in a way that empowers you to see and do more.

Sweet Bikes

For us, nothing compares to the experience of riding a truly great bike – it’s the closest thing to flying. With that in mind, we set out to build the best electric and classic bikes ever. Designed specifically for the unique conditions of SF (think hills and less-than-perfect roads), our bikes are an absolute pleasure to ride. Easy to pedal, extra comfortable, extra safe, and extra capable, our adventure bikes will take you where other bike tours can only dream.

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Company History

How we got our start, way way back in ’14

Dandyhorse was born in 2014 out of a love for food, bikes, and adventure. The company originally started as a passion project by Nick Hormuth and Lindy Patterson under the name Pedal Inn, which was a bike camping cookbook funded on Kickstarter.

To download click the >> arrows.

Soon after the cookbook was published, Nick had the wild idea of bringing the Pedal Inn experience to life by starting the world’s first bike-camping specific tour business. Our first epic overnight adventures to the magical Angel Island in the SF Bay featured incredible food, boundless creativity, and some of the coolest scenery ever offered in an SF tour experience.

In 2016, Nick decided to transition from a longtime career as a teacher to offering tours full time by expanding the business into day tours, and Dandyhorse was born. Committed to delivering the same no-limits adventure as those early Pedal Inn days, Dandyhorse continues the tradition of offering one-of-a-kind biking experiences that celebrate good food and creativity.

Since we started, we have welcomed nearly 2,000 guests between the ages of 8-80 from over 60 countries, all 50 states, and every background. We love meeting people and sharing our love for curiosity, culture, good food, good stories, and adventure with our guests and friends.

Dandyhorse, what’s that?

A curious name with a fascinating history…

Dandy Horse was the derogatory name given to the precursor of what was later developed into the modern bicycle, which was basically a balance bike, like the kind kids learn on today.

The Dandy Horse was developed in response to the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history in 1815 of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia, which prevented summer from arriving in the northern hemisphere and led to global famines. Because horses were used as a food source, a German blacksmith created a strider bike to get around town.

This invention soon made its way to the UK where it became popular among the Dandies, at the time a term synonymous with mischief and masculinity. The “Dandy Horse” quickly captured the popular imagination. Those stylish and forward-thinking trendsetters started riding clubs, and their notorious exploits were greeted by much derision from respectable society who soon attempted to enact laws to curtail their adventures. The rest, as they say is history, but the spirit, tradition, and adventure continue in our bike tours.

Check out this 1819 Children’s book chronicling the misadventures of a Dandy Horse rider.

What our guests are saying

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