Leaving Carmichael you will take the American River Parkway Bike Trail to the Guy West Bridge and then bike under the H Street Bridge (photo left).
Next follow H Street until you reach McKinley Park (photo right), where routinely you will see walkers and joggers enjoying this lovely spot.
You next will take G Street (photos right & left) in your trek across the city.
G street is shady - lots of trees - and is quiet - in part because of the controversial intersection blockades.
The 29 and 70 mile options proceed south on 19th Street to W Street, which leads to Riverside Blvd. The 29 mile ride continues southbound on Riverside Blvd., whereas the 70 mile route turns right onto Broadway and continues westbound to Front Street, where it joins the 56 mile route southbound to the Freeport Bridge.
On Riverside Blvd the 29 mile ride almost immediately passes the historic Sacramento City Cemetery (photo below), which is well worth subsequent bicycle exploration.
The 29 mile ride continues south on Riverside Blvd to the Sacramento River Bike Trail, which will take you northward back up to Central Sacramento.
Front Street takes you to the lovely Riverfront Promenade (photo above): if you have time, stop to read some of the interesting historical plaques.
After negotiating the downtown area, you will take shady, quiet H Street (photo right) back to the CSUS campus in East Sacramento.
The 29 mile ride then returns to the ride start via the Guy West Bridge and the American River Parkway Bike Trail.
The 54 mile option continues straight on G Street (beyond 19th) to 7th Street, Capitol Mall, and Front Street. South of Broadway the 54 & 70 mile routes join to take Front Street and Ramp Way to the Sacramento River Bike Trail, which you will ride in a direction opposite from the 29 mile route.
After the southern end of the Sacramento River Bike Trail, these two routes follow Riverside Blvd to the Pocket Road and to Freeport Blvd. The hamlet of Freeport hosts Rest Stop #1; on the 54 mile route this will be the last opportunity to purchase food for 15 miles.
Next cross the Freeport Bridge (photo left) to South River Road. At South River Road the 70 mile route turns left (south) toward Clarksburg, and the 54 mile course turns right (north). South River Road is lightly traveled, offers lovely river views, but intermittently is mildly bumpy.
In 3.7 miles the 70 mile route arrives at Clarksburg, which starts an attractive 9 mile loop on very quiet rural roads along productive farm land (photos below).
The loop ends by returning to northbound South River Road (photo below).
Shortly you will return to the Freeport Bridge, rejoining the 56 mile ride on a northbound continuation of South River Road past more lovely farm and river views (photo below).
Eventually you will pass through West Sacramento and cross the I Street Bridge (photo right). Like most Sacramento River bridges, this is a "draw bridge": just now and then you will come upon such a bridge in the "up" position and have to wait.
This ancient bridge splits in the middle; take a left turn at the split onto Jibboon Street and cross the rail yards on your way to Discovery Park.
From Discovery Park it's a short 13.5 miles on the American River Parkway Bike Trail (photos right & left) back to the ride start.
