September 24-29, 2018
Reno, NV to San Francisco, CA
Registration Coming Soon
Day 1 (September 24)- Reno, NV to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Day 2 (September 25)- Circumnavigate Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe start/end)
Day 3 (September 26)- South Lake Tahoe, CA to Rancho Cordova, CA
Day 4 (September 27)- Rancho Cordova, CA to Vacaville, CA
Day 5 (September 28)- Vacaville, CA to Petaluma, CA
Day 6 (September 29)- Petaluma, CA to San Francisco, CA
This route is known for its varying landscape covering approximately 400 miles during six days of cycling. Riders and support personnel depart from Reno, NV* – the Biggest Little City – through the Nevada state capitol, Carson City as they climb over 4000 feet to Lake Tahoe. Day 2* is a scenic circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe with plenty of photo ops! Day 3* (century day!) takes participants out of Lake Tahoe and descends over 5000 feet into California’s gold country. Day 4 takes participants through the California state capitol, Sacramento, via the Great American River Trail. Days 5 and 6 are spent winding among rolling hills and along country roads between the beautiful vineyards of the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, CA all the way to the Pacific Ocean, ending the adventure by crossing the historic Golden Gate Bridge for the closing ceremony in San Francisco. Honoring the service and recognizing the devotion of EMS providers who have died occurs each day and ceremonies include reading the names of fallen brothers and sisters by the Riders and support personnel. All participants are encouraged to carry a camera to capture some of America’s most iconic landscape. *Please note that the first 2.5 days of this route involve strenuous climbs at elevations above 5000 feet.
We started out in 2013 on the first West Coast Route having no idea what a couple of 60-something’s could do to support the Riders but wanted to repay the kindness of three wonderful ladies from Reno who carried our son’s dog tags on the 2010 East Coast Route. Well let me tell you, I have never felt so welcome as we have experienced in the time since we started with this adventure. We have experienced every known emotion and made so many wonderful friends along the way. If you are wondering if you can help because you aren’t a cyclist, the overwhelming answer is: YES. And they will welcome you with open arms. Do it; you will never regret the experience and you will be hooked!
-Sue Ritz, now West Coast Route Coordinator
A Day on the Route: 2016 West Coast Route Day 2 from National EMS Memorial Bike Ride on Vimeo.