About

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.

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.

This was our best experience in San Francisco. Nick is an over the top, out of this world guide. He weaves the different neighborhoods in the city into a rideable and enjoyable day, full of unexpected surprises, with lots of insider tips and history woven throughout. Don’t miss it!

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.

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!

I had so much fun on this tour–Nick’s animated personality and enthusiasm for the city/biking made this experience very enjoyable. He was extremely knowledgeable and taught me way more than I expected to learn– I probably know more about San Francisco now than I do my own home town! Being able to stop, walk around, and sample food allowed me to really immerse myself in the neighborhoods’ different cultures. A perfect blend of exercising and education. Great photo opportunities as well! Thank you, Nick.

Happy I made the right choice of picking the smaller, human scale and authentic company run by the very passionate Nick. I’m sure this will soon be the more popular bike tour option, get in now. We saw so many diverse hoods and parks and learned tons about current culture, movements and the right amount of history. He never lost a second of enthusiasm during the entire five hours which I was in awe of.

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!

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!

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!