The route follows along the Golden Spoke trail network, which includes over 100 miles of safe and connected multiuse trails — connecting communities across Utah, Salt Lake, Davis and Weber counties.

Celebrating its eighth year, the event welcomes riders of all abilities, and participants can choose between several options to match their comfort level, ranging from short, family-friendly distance rides to a 100-mile ride option.

Four starting points will give participants access to ride and will conclude at the recently opened Skippers Bay Trailhead at the Provo River Delta, where an end-of-ride celebration will happen.

The Jordan River Commission, which primarily organizes the event in conjunction with various partners, said it wanted to highlight recent work done at The Provo River Delta and the overall efforts to save the June Sucker.

Image supplied, Jordan River Commission

“The Provo River Delta project was just completed and opened to the public back in the fall of last year, so we wanted to kind of highlight and celebrate that accomplishment,” said Rachel Turk, communications and outreach manager for the Jordan River Commission.

Farther north, people who want to endure the full Golden Spoke experience can choose to start their ride from High Adventure Park in Ogden. That route includes a rest stop at Legacy Park in North Salt Lake.

They can also opt for the 53-mile route between Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center at Pia Okwai in Salt Lake City and Skippers Bay in Provo.

Other entry points in Utah County include a section of the Murdock Canal Trail in Lehi near Timpanogos Highway and Palisade Park in Orem; both locations will also serve as rest stops along the route.

In addition to exposing more Utahns to the outdoors, Turk said the ride aims to highlight the connection between transit and trails, as several sections of the route will pass by Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner stations.

“We want to educate people on how our transit system also interfaces with the trail system,” Turk said.

With that in mind, participants will receive a complimentary UTA transit pass.

The eighth annual Golden Spoke Bike Ride will happen Saturday. The northern edge of the ride gets underway at 6 a.m.

The event is free but registration is required. Those who want to ride have until Friday to sign up at www.goldenspoke.net.

Turk said the ride yields a scenic experience for people who want to explore Utah’s outdoors without making a drive to other destinations in the state.

“These trails go through our communities, but it feels like you’re in nature; but you’re not that far away,” she said.