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Since 2016, from over 40+ countries
and all 50 states
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About
t 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
- 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
We’ve done many bike tours both domestically and internationally, and Nick was far and away the best bike tour guide we’ve ever had!!! His passion for San Francisco as well as his knowledge of history and interesting tidbits of information kept us thoroughly entertained throughout the trip. His service is top notch from the expert bike fitting and his careful attention to detail making sure we were all comfortable safe and enjoying ourselves. We had a spectacular dry sunny day so every stop was a wonderful photo opportunity. He was generous with his time his recommendations and willingness to help now and in the future. Highly recommend!!!
Nick from Dandyhorse just took us on our best experience in San Francisco! My husband and I got a real taste of the varied and dynamic cultures and history of all the very best, unique SF neighbourhoods, local haunts and incredible eateries. Whether you are an art enthusiast, foodie, architecture lover or just a culture vulture you will leave with a deep sense of satisfaction, knowledge and at least one new friend! Thank you Nick for a wonderful day, you are the real SF legend.
Dandyhorse offered such an authentic and epic experience on so many levels… our guide, Nick, possessed so much detail about architecture, history, neighborhoods etc even locals (not on the tour) were commenting on how they learned stuff. In roughly 5 hours we covered all best neighborhoods and got the ins and outs, you could never get without an experienced guide.We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and such a grand overview in such a condensed amount of time. We fell in love with the city because of Nick. His tour was world class!!
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.
Our bike tour with Nick was by far and away the most fun, informative and unique experience we’ve had in San Francisco. His engaging style and fantastic historical and current day context made this ride one we will not soon forget. Thank you Nick for your passion and energy… we will be back
- Grab your copy of our SF local neighborhood guide
A curated insider’s guide to our favorite places to eat, drink, and explore in the city
Dandyhorse offers bike tour in San Francisco on cool electric bikes. Led by fun local guides to the Golden Gate Bridge, SF’s best neighborhoods, landmarks, and hidden gems.
- info@sfbiketours.com
- +1 (415) 890-2453
- 33 Gordon Street #4102 San Francisco, CA 94103 - Dandyhorse San Francisco Bike Tours
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