Bike the Blizzard

Back Alley Bikes brings in 2026 with the 14th annual Bike the Blizzard fundraising event. This year, riders can join organized rides throughout the day on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st. It will be a weekend full of adventure, accomplishment, and celebration with other brave Detroit riders! This year, we are counting on our friends and neighbors to come out like never before to help us continue to support Detroit’s cycling community.

Back Alley Bikes relies on this annual fundraiser to keep our doors open, programs running, and to be the community spot the Detroit bike riders rely on! The rest of the year we are busy with our DIY open shop, educational classes, and getting bikes to people in the city. Click here to learn more of Back Alley Bikes’ story.

Registration is $25 and includes access to rides, entry to the event space at 3611 Cass Ave during the ride weekend, and 1 raffle ticket.

There is a minimum fundraising total for each individual of $50. We will support you in raising these donations!

The event will include:

• Organized themed group rides Saturday & Sunday: Multiple group rides both days, ride details to be announced soon!
• Raffle & Silent Auction: With prizes from local businesses and our shop The Hub of Detroit
• Prizes: For participants with the most miles rode, Scavenger Hunt winner, highest fundraiser, and most donors
• Tommie’s Chilly Cookoff: A Sunday soup cookoff to be judged by a real soup knower, with prizes for the winner!
• Community Building!: An incredible opportunity to connect with other bike lovers in the city
• & More! Lots is in the works, come ride with us and see!

This year the event will be based out of the Hub of Detroit, the Back Alley Bikes Community Workshop, and the CCNDC Community Center. Organized rides will leave from these locations.

Riders will have access bike support during organized rides. All registered riders, whether joining in on organized rides or venturing out solo, will have access to all organized ride maps via BikeReg.

These funds help Back Alley Bikes keep the doors open throughout the winter months and beyond, so we can continue offering support to Detroit’s cycling community in the form of getting free bikes to youth in the city, offering a safe space with resources and knowledge for DIY Open Shop, holding educational classes, and volunteer time, when community members help to build bikes for Detroit youth and Garage Sales.

Want to be a sponsor? Volunteer? Have questions? Send us an email.