At Club Ride Apparel, we love riders who mix adventure, community, and good times on two wheels. Alex Primeau, hailing from Traverse City, MI, is one of those people. Whether he's tackling the punchy climbs of the City Loop, coaching young riders with Norte Youth Cycling, or chasing big lines in Moab, Alex brings passion and stoke to every ride. In this Q&A, we dive into his favorite trails, go-to post-ride spots, and the Club Ride gear that keeps him rolling in any season.

The City Loop. It’s the perfect ride if you're on a time crunch and it's got a little bit of everything—jump lines, ski hill descents, techy climbs, and even some sneaky neighborhood cut-throughs. We ride it every Friday of the year with the Dirt Church crew, and it’s the go-to during hunting season (for safety reasons). For a Midwest trail, it packs a punch—2000 feet of climbing in under 10 miles! Not bad for the midwest.

Really biking, seven years.

I’ve always been around bikes, but after college, I really fell back in love with two wheels. A good friend, Paul Britten, had just moved back to Traverse City from Steamboat Springs, where he was a mountain bike guide. One weekend, we packed up and headed to Marquette, MI—a mountain bike paradise in the U.P. A weekend of getting worked on technical singletrack, a few solid falls, and post-ride beers at Blackrocks Brewery had me hooked.

My next ride after that? The Iceman Cometh Challenge. I barely finished, and a few whiskey hand-ups definitely helped keep me warm. That winter, I went deep into bike videos, dreaming about the world of MTB. When spring hit, we pulled the trigger on a trip to Moab—totally unprepared for the drops and rocks of Porcupine Rim, but grinning ear to ear the whole way down.

I’m a coach for the Norte Youth Cycling Race Team in Traverse City. Norte is all about getting kids active and socially connected through bikes. Coaching and sharing my love for riding with the next generation has been an amazing way to give back to the community.

Norte Youth Cycling

Filling Station—pizza and beer, right on the Tart Trail, which connects to all of the Traverse City MTB, gravel, and road rides.

The VASA trails—100+ miles of singletrack and unmarked paths winding through the North Woods and along the Boardman River. It’s a hidden gem of Northern Michigan.

Brick Wheels in Traverse City is my go-to—they've been a staple in the local cycling community for years and always have the gear, service, and stoke to keep riders rolling. For a ride along the bay, Suttons Bay Bikes is another favorite. Whether you're gearing up for a big ride or just need a quick tune, both shops have you covered.

The Fat Jack Softshell Pants—they’re the perfect shoulder-season pant. I wear them to the office, then straight to the trails. Rain, wind, mud—these pants handle it all. The zip pockets keep my keys and phone secure, and I’m looking forward to rocking them for fat biking and backcountry skiing this winter.

Also, the X-Wind Jacket. I wear this jacket more than should be allowed—for biking, XC skiing, running, and pretty much everything else. It’s lightweight, breathable, and the perfect layer to throw on for any adventure.