May is Bike month! If you'd like to see nature in a way that’s better than sitting in your car, bring your family and friends to the 8th annual
Great Scott Bike and Walk Event on Sunday, May 6.
Traverse a 30-mile course near Highway 50 in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. The Great Scott kicks off at 8 a.m., and ends at 3 p.m. This free event is always on the first Sunday in May. You can enjoy a car-free course that offers a great opportunity to unplug and ride (or walk) for fun and exercise. If you really want get your heart pumping, the course will be available for fast rides from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. At 10 a.m., the course opens to leisure family rides until 3 p.m.
There are five entry points on the course:
- Scott Road (at Latrobe Road)
- East Bidwell Street (at Iron Point Road)
- Placerville Road (at Iron Point Road)
- White Rock Road (at Sunrise Blvd.)
- White Rock Road (at El Dorado Hills Blvd.)
Parking areas will be available near each entrance and throughout the course, riders will find several rest and water stations.
Last year, nearly 5,000 people participated on bike and on foot. How far and how long you go is up to you. You can go 2 miles or all 30; spend a couple of hours or all day. It’s all about getting out of the house and getting some exercise in a safe, car-free environment. Bring a lunch or sample the many food vendors along White Rock Road. A relaxation station will also be open for you to rest, get a quick massage, or just to chat with family and friends about the fun you are having along the course. Bike tune-ups will also be available.
If you are feeling adventurous, take part in the Great Scott Scavenger hunt. Ride along the course, take pictures with your phone, and then upload them to the Great Scott website. The best shots will win a cash prize.
It takes teamwork to prepare and launch the Great Scott each year. Sacramento County works with El Dorado County and the cities of Folsom and Rancho Cordova to make sure the roads free of cars and ready for riders. The 50 Corridor Traffic Management Association, Capital Southeast Connector JPA, Folsom Ranch, Kaiser Permanente, Folsom Bike, and Sacramento Valley Conservancy also join in to make this event successful.
To learn more about the Great Scott Bike and Walk Event, visit
www.bikegreatscott.com. Bike and Walk Event Jerseys are also available for purchase on the website.