Event Date

Ride 4A Reason 2026 is happening on Saturday, April 25th.

 

THE ROUTES

Ride 4 A Reason has 3 different routes for cyclists of every level and experience, and there's always a virtual option for those that prefer to ride with us in spirit! 

110 Miles - Ride all the way from Oakland to Sacramento!  The century ride begins at Oakland Technical High School and passes through beautiful bay area communities on the way to Sacramento.

View the 110-mile course

68 Miles - Start in Suisun City and enjoy some of the most delightful miles of R4R.  This route begins at the Suisun City train depot, and riders can choose a shuttle bus from Oakland Tech (leaves at 8 AM) or take the train/drive a car to the Suisun City train station. 

View the 68-mile course

45 Miles - Our most family friendly route starts in Vacaville and has less than 600 ft of elevation gain, making it a perfect ride for anyone who is newer to long-distance cycling. This route begins at a park in Vacaville, and riders can take a shuttle bus that leaves at 8 AM from Oakland Tech to the ride start.

View the 45-mile course

All rides end in Sacramento at the State Capitol with a catered lunch and a rally to celebrate the riders and highlight the need for more education funding.  Riders can choose to reserve a seat on the shuttle bus back to Oakland Tech or take Amtrak back to Oakland/Jack London Square. 

EVENT SCHEDULE 

REGISTRATION

All riders must pick up their rider packet and bib number before they start riding to receive on-course support. Here are the options for packet pick-up:

Early Packet Pickup: Thursday, April 23 from 5-7 PM, come by Tip Top Bike Shop (4800A Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609) to pick up your registration packet and do any last minute shopping. 

Day of Ride Registration: Registration opens at 5:30 AM at Oakland Tech. If you are planning to leave before 5:30 AM, please plan to pick up your bib at Early Packet Pickup. 

TRANSPORTATION HOME FROM THE FINISH LINE (FOR EVERYONE!)

Did you book your ride home from Sacramento? Here are your options: 

1. Take the bus! If you didn’t tell us you needed a seat on the bus back from Sacramento when you registered, you can reserve a seat here. If you put this on your registration form, you don’t need to tell us again.  

2. Take the train! Buy a train ticket on the 4:55 PM Capitol Corridor train (401 I Street) WARNING:  THIS TRAIN WILL BE CROWDED - If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, join R4R at MoJo’s Local Taproom and Kitchen to enjoy drinks and food to benefit R4R, from 5:15 to 8 pm. (The last train back will leave Sacramento at 8:55pm.)

3. Arrange your own ride back

TRANSPORTATION TO THE RIDE START (FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT 110 MILE RIDERS)

45 and 68 Mile Riders: Charter buses will pick up all riders at Oakland Technical High School and depart at 8:00AM. Please plan to arrive by 7:15 AM to check-in and load up your bike and grab a cup of coffee.

RIDE START: Oakland Technical High School, 4351 Broadway (front lawn) 

All riders meet at Oakland Technical High School (OT) regardless of the route you plan to do. If you are doing the 45 or 68-Mile route and plan to get to the ride start in Suisun City or Vacaville on your own, please send an email to r4rschools1@gmail.com so that we know to expect you there.

PARKING

Please note that there is no parking on school grounds for this event.  If you plan to drive, please allow time to find street parking around the school. There is all day parking available in the residential neighborhood surrounding the school. We encourage participants to ride, carpool, or get dropped off at the school.

BAG CHECK

Drop off your finish line clothing and extra layers and we’ll bring it to the finish line!  We will offer self-service bag check at Oakland Tech in the morning. All bags must have your gear check tag from your bib attached to them. 

If you are driving yourself to the starting locations in Vacaville or Suisun City, you may drop your bag WITH A TRUCK DRIVER ONLY, provided you arrive in time.  DO NOT LEAVE A BAG WITH THE BUS, AS THEY WILL NOT ARRIVE UNTIL AFTER 4PM AT THE FINISH AND THEY WILL NOT UNLOAD ANY ITEMS.

Here are some popular items to include for the finish line:

• Picnic blanket

• Change of clothes, ball cap, and comfy shoes

There are porta-potties at the finish line but no showers are available.  

BIKE TAGS

If you are using our bus and bike shuttle service, please attach the bike tag from your bib to your bike for easy identification.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES 

We will have coffee available at the start line at Oakland Tech starting at 6 AM, so get there early for your morning cup of joe! Light snacks will also be provided. Each rest stop will provide a variety of hearty, protien filled snacks to fuel your ride.  All riders are invited to a picnic lunch at the finish line in Sacramento! 

WHAT TO CARRY ON YOUR BIKE

Please be sure to bring these items:

• Helmet

• Photo ID Card

• Medical Card

• Spare tube, tire irons, pump and/or cartridges

• Any specific snacks you just cannot live without

• Water bottle

• Cell phone, credit card and some cash in a Ziploc (just in case!)

• Chamois cream, e.g., Butt Butter

WHAT TO WEAR

While we are hoping for a mild and sunny spring day, we just can’t guarantee it! Dress in layers so you can adjust to changes in weather and stay comfortable throughout the day. We encourage riders to pack a set of clothing for the finish line because, face it, chamois padding is just not that comfortable. Please check the weather online for the most up to date information for your clothing planning.