Utah has the longest sections of consecutive bike lanes not shared with motorists west of the Mississippi. The 170 miles of trails extend from Ogden to Provo and include the Weber River Parkway Trail, the Legacy Parkway Trail, the Rio Grande Western Rail Trail and the Jordan River Parkway among others. The Golden Spoke Bike Ride celebrates those interconnected trails and will be held May 11. Hugh Van Wagenen, of the Wasatch Front Regional Council, said he is excited that the race is in its seventh year and is celebrating two new connections, the Parley’s Trail up to Millcreek and Crosstown Trail extending into West Valley City. The bridge connecting these trails was recently finished. The trails traverse all of Davis County and one of the 50-mile bike rides outlined for the event will start at the High Adventure Park in Ogden (251 W. 18th Street) and end in the Jordan River Nature Center in South Salt Lake traversing Layton, Farmington, Centerville, West Bountiful, Wood Cross and North Salt Lake.  Another 50-mile option begins in Riverside Park in Provo (1260 West 600 North), once again ending at the Nature Center. Rest Stops 25 miles into each bike ride in Farmington and Lehi can also act as jumping off spots for people wanting to shorten their ride to 25 miles. An Additional 10-mile option will begin at Millcreek Grandeur Peak Trailhead (2900 Wasatch Blvd.) and follows the newly connected section of trail to the Nature Center. Two short, family friendly loops will occur at the Tracy Aviary Jordan River Nature Center (1125 W. 3300 South). The 50-mile ride begins at 8:30 a.m., the 25-mile at 10 a.m., the 10-mile at 11:30 a.m. and the shorter loops at noon. Eventually, all the riders will find their way to the Nature Center for food trucks, vendors, music and participant giveaways. One giveaway available to all riders is a free UTA pass back to where participants parked their cars.

Places to safely cycle in Davis County and beyond are treasures and the Golden Spoke celebrates this ever-growing network of trails. May is Bike Month and the perfect time to get out in nature and enjoy the spring weather. All the information on the Golden Spoke Bike Ride including the free registration can be found at jordanrivercommission.com. A few years ago, the bike ride was also part of a Golden Spike celebration in Ogden, though the route does not go to the Golden Spike location. Van Wagenen helps plan the Golden Spoke ride each year and explains that the “Spokes” the race is named for brings to mind a bike wheel with the spoke coming out of the center representing the many cities that are part of the valuable system of bike trails. Van Wagenen suggests just coming to The Nature Center from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for the festivities, even if you don’t ride a trail to get there. The celebration “lets folks know” of the “gorgeous” parks and trails available to the communities, he said. The Golden Spoke Bike Ride will continue yearly on the second Saturday in May.