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 HistorianHi 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
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.
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
Heidi Yang
Highly recommeded for locals who want a really fun day out
I loved this tour. Highly recommended for locals who want a really fun day out and to see and learn some more about the city. Nick was an excellent guide, and he’d thought of everything – from customising each bike to each person, to taking you around the best spots in San Francisco, to the best picnic spot to stop for lunch. We discovered so many places in the city I would never have found on my own, and Nick was so knowledgeable throughout the whole tour. Thanks Nick!
David Pugh
Nick was a fantastic guide…he was BORN for this!
Nick was a fantastic guide for our bike tour!!! It seemed as though he was BORN for this! I went into the experience with low expectations and some trepidation about how long the bike ride would be and my abilities to navigate the mean streets (kidding) of San Francisco. However, Nick took care of everything, made the trip fly by with his sense of humor, knowledge and experience of the city and its rich history and architecture. I felt the cost was perfect for what was provided and I would recommend this to ANYONE! THANK YOU NICK!!!!
Jason Philips
Every detail is planned and Nick exceed expectations as a guide
Nick’s preparation (and enthusiasm) for the group tour is immediately noticeable upon arrival at his bike shop. Every details planned from the iPad check in, chairs fo sitting, great music (groovy analog equipment), custom made bikes with our names on it…all a good sign of what’s to come. I’m not alone in my praise for these bikes he builds, just awesome, light, comfortable, very smooth gears and brakes. Truthfully I now covet one to own for myself. But of course I am here for the sights and narrative of the city and that’s where Nick continues to exceed expectations as a guide, really excels. He has an excellent speaking voice it’s clear diction for us all to hear, easy to follow hand signals and balances the biking, rests and adventures along the way. I’m impressed with Nick’s knowledge of the city, enjoyed his unique stops for sandwiches, treats, shops and sights. I highly recommend this tour for both first time visitors and those who have not fully experienced the SF neighborhoods on bicycle. Bravo Nick for your Dandyhorse Tour business and thank you for the good energy along the way!
Tamara Taylor
Support local and support those who have passion for what they do.
Nick was definitely a surprise and delight type of business owner. TOP DOWN service, well thought out route, reasonably priced, felt safe the ENTIRE time, bikes were flawless, we had a slight hiccup on a unavoidable flat and he handled it like a champ! Our tour felt so customized and the entire day made our trip. Not only did he not disappoint, he took it beyond what we would have expected.
His personality is hilarious, he’s smiling ear to ear in all of our candid pictures, he is animated, descriptive and knows all the best areas. He has the best suggestions, great stopping places and the backstory of San Fran WITH illustrations. I think we knew immediately we were going to have a blast when we saw how clean and classy his shop is, and he was a joy from the second we called in inquiring about the tour. THIS is a true business owner. Support local and support those who have passion for what they do. Nick absolutely does.
Cristina Papelli
Such an amazing route… truly a highlight of my time in SF
Nick is an amazing bike tour guide. First, you will be on one of his custom-made bikes that feels like something you would have bought for yourself. No cheap mass produced bikes here. Nick has gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the tour route accessible and on designated bike infrastructure (think safety). It probably took months for him to pick such an amazing route. And then there is the route itself – through SOMA, the Mission, Castro, Lower Haight, Haight-Ashbury, and the east side of the Golden Gate Park. We had lunch in Alamo Square Park, rode by the Conservatory of Flowers, and went up the de Young Museum Tower for a panoramic view. I can’t say enough good things about this tour. It was truly a highlight of my time in SF. Thank you Nick.
Chelsea Codi
If I could give 10 stars I would
Probably our favorite thing we did in San Francisco- going at our own pace, with everything perfectly mapped made for a delightful ride. We saw many of the classic sights, including the completely beautiful path to the Golden Gate Bridge. what we loved too were the little neighborhood finds we probably wouldn’t have learned about otherwise- not only on the tour but Nick, the owner of Dandyhorse, gave us dozens of other recs, taking time to draw on a map and describe why he loves those spots. We took several of them and doing so made our trip SO MUCH BETTER. . Thank you Nick!
Kelly Zabel
An authentic SF experience that gave us a great feel for the city
As many others have commented, Nick was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. He gave lots of good info on all the neighborhoods we rode through to help us (people moving to SF soon) a great feel of the city and where we want to apartment hunt. The ride was easy enough and the bikes were awesome (and not all matching and super touristy like a lot of the other bike tours offered in the area). Nick added lots of personal touches and is clearly very passionate about what he does and about SF! An amazing experience.
Melanie Anderson
Extremely personable, vivid storyteller, & accommodating to all levels of riders
Go on this tour. You will finish it wanting an audio recording of all of the historical, cultural, architectural, and community knowledge that Nick shares with the group. He was extremely personable, a vivid storyteller, and accommodating to all levels of bike riders. It was superb. Way to go, Nick.
JD Lexington
I’ve visited SF 25x and plenty on this tour was completely new to me
There are plenty of bike tour companies in SF, but nothing like Dandyhorse. It’s the lovingly personal creation of Nick Hormuth, who is both a bike nerd and a San Francisco nerd. Nick is California-earnest and outgoing–conceivably too much for some, but this crusty New Englander at least found him charming. (He used to be a first-grade teacher, which is easy to imagine.) The unique quirks begin with the bikes, which Nick builds himself. They’re benign mechanical Frankensteins with frames, suspensions, tires, handlebars, brakes, and gears mixed and matched from different kinds of machines to create *exactly* the right bikes for touring San Francisco. They continue with the destinations, which include some standard must-sees but also odd corners and shops you’ve never heard of but that Nick thinks (rightly) are really, really cool. I’ve probably visited San Francisco 25 times, and there was plenty on this tour that was completely new to me. While it lasts four or five hours and covers about 15 miles (San Francisco miles, at that) it’s not physically taxing. Total couch potatoes might strain, but Nick has a knack for finding the flattest route between two points and if you do any exercise at all you’ll be just fine. Highly recommended.
Kate Gattnar
A small-time operator who really cares about your experience
We had a great time on Nick’s Night Cycle Food Tour – he’s a great guide! There were a range of bikes to choose from, all of great quality which he adjusted to ensure a comfy ride for everyone. Nick brought us to parts of the city we would never have explored on our own, and his personality really gelled the group – it was great fun, a highlight of our trip. He also gave us a print out of recommended places to explore in all the districts which was an invaluable resource in the days after the cycle – so do this activity early in your trip! Also Nick is a small-time operator who really cares about the experience you have – so support him rather than the bigger generic tour companies!
Grab your copy of our local neighborhood guide
A curated insider’s guide to our favorite places to eat, drink, and explore in the city