Before the end of the month, locals will take in the San Diego Bay on two wheels. The third annual Bike the Bay event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 29. “It’s a ride for all to showcase one of the great bicycling routes here in San Diego County and an opportunity for folks of all ages and abilities to come on out, have a safe fun ride and give back to the local bicycling community,” said Andy Hanshaw, Point Loma resident and founder of the event. The 25-mile ride starts from Embarcadero Marina Park South at 7 a.m. and will take riders through downtown, Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City. Along the way, riders will get the rare chance to traverse the Coronado Bay Bridge on bicycle. “The chance to go over the bridge is a beautiful opportunity and, surprisingly, not too difficult,” Hanshaw said. Proceeds from Bike the Bay benefit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Hanshaw said the ride has raised more than $90,000 over the past two years for the group dedicated to improving local biking. “Their mission is to make bicycling better here in San Diego,” Hanshaw said. “They do that through advocacy, education and outreach, safety and training. They put on events to bring cyclists together and improve the local bicycling community.” Bike the Bay is open to all abilities of cyclist ages 12 and older, and Hanshaw said those interested should be in fair shape and ready to spend two to three hours on a bike. Support will be provided along the course for riders that have physical or bike-related issues. “It’s primarily a flat ride and very scenic along the bay,” Hanshaw said. New to this year’s Bike the Bay is the addition of a rest stop at the Pier 32 Marina in National City. At that location, Waterfront Grill will provide an oasis for weary or hungry riders. “They are sponsoring that rest stop and folks will have a really nice place to visit and see the new activity and new marina there,” Hanshaw said. The ride ends at Embarcadero Marina Park with food, entertainment and a Karl Strauss beer garden. Registration can be completed online and costs $55 before Aug. 28. Tandem and corporate team entries are also available. “It’s a really fun and unique opportunity for people to come on out and ride their bike on a beautiful summer day along a beautiful bikeway here in San Diego and support a great local cause,” Hanshaw said. While traffic may be impacted during the Bike the Bay, Hanshaw said no roads will be closed during the ride. Locally, the event may back up traffic on Harbor Drive around the start at 7 a.m. For Bike the Bay registration, information and an interactive course map, visit www.bikethebay.net.
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