Event Description

The 4^th annual Shasta Dam Bridge Ride – an out-and-back paved trail ride between two of the North State’s most iconic structures – the world-famous Sundial Bridge and 500-foot-high Shasta Dam, one of the largest dams in the US. There are both 10-mile and 32-mile ride options. 10-mile riders first cross the glass-decked Sundial Bridge, ride up the Sacramento River Trail, l, re-cross the river on the unique concrete “Ribbon Bridge”, continue to the Keswick Dam reststop, and return to the Sundial Bridge via the south side of the River Trail. 32-mile riders follow the 10-mile ride route to the Ribbon Bridge to Keswick Dam, then continue north over Heart Rate Hill and along Keswick Reservoir on the Rail Trail to the turn-around rest stop at the base of Shasta Dam.

After the ride, all registered 32-mile riders will enjoy a great Mary’s Pizza Shack post-ride meal in a quiet grove overlooking the Sacramento River, with the Sundial Bridge in the background. 10-mile riders and non-riders may purchase meal tickets for $10 per person.

Event details and schedule

Schedule:

• Online registration closes May 3rd. You may register the morning of the ride.
• The ride course is open to start your ride at 9 am. We encourage all 32 mile riders to start around this time, as the ride takes between 2- 4 hours, depending of skill level, and would like to ensure that all our riders have returned to the ride start by 1 pm. 
• The ride registration desk will open for pre-registered rider packet pickup and day-of rider registration at 8 am. Please arrive by 8:30 am so you will be ready to ride when the course opens at 9. Pre-ride coffee and snacks will be available

Location:

• Ride registration, the ride start, and ride headquarters are at the north end of Sundial Drive, just north of the world-famous Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Museum.

Directions:

• From I-5 NORTHBOUND, take Exit 678, then bear left, following the signs for Downtown Redding, Whiskeytown Lake, and Highway 44 WEST. Travel 1 mile west on Highway 44 and exiit right on EXIT 1.  Turn right on Sundial Drive and follow the signs past the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and the main parking lot to the ride parking  lot across from ride headquarters. 
• From I-5 SOUTHBOUND Take Exit 678B and bear right, following signs to downtown Redding and Highway 44 WEST. Travel 1 mile west on Highway 44 and exiit right on EXIT 1.  Turn right on Sundial Drive and follow the signs past the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and the main parking lot to the ride parking  lot across from ride headquarters.

Registration:

• If pre-registered, pick up your registration packet at ride HQ and then prepare your bike to ride.
• If registering day-off ride, please have cash, check, or Visa card available. Besides the registration form, you will also have to fill out and sign a waiver form for yourself. Parents must fill out and sign the waiver forms for all riders under 18 years of age.

What to bring:

• A functional road, mountain, or hybrid bike. The 10-mile ride can be accomplished by most riders on a single-speed bike, but Heartrate hill on the 32 mile ride will be a challenge for even a skilled single-speed rider. We strongly recommend multi-speed bikes for the 32-mile ride.
• Tire repair kits, spare tubes, and pump or CO2 inflators. This ride is along a paved trail. Therefore we will NOT have the "typical" automotove sag wagons that can easily bring you and your bike back to the ride start should you find it unrideable.
• Water bottles. We will have rest stops with water/Gatoraide and snacks at the 5-mile, 16-mile, and 27-mile points, so you will not need to carry much, but you should have a water bottle with you.
• Cell phone, preferably with texting capability. As noted above, this is on a trail and passes through a rural river canyon. Both ride support and communication can be challenging. We have found it vital for riders to have cell phones so they can communicate back to ride headquarters if they have a problem on the ride. Texting can frequently work even if the cell coverage does not permit a reliable voice signal. 

What to wear

• Early May in Redding can be cool, wet, sunny, hot or anywhere in between. So be prepared for various conditions. Typically, the mornings, especially along the Sacramento River, will start out very cool - in the 50's, then warm by noon. Dress in layers that can be readily removed or added to as the day progresses. If inclement weather appears likely, bring rain gear.

Special advice about crossing the Sundial Bridge:

• The Sundial Bridge has a special glass and alumimum deck that is LIKE ICE when wet, especially with bike tires.
• The Bridge deck may be wet even on a sunny morning.
• If there is the least hint of moisture on the deck, Get off your bike and walk it across.