Spring has arrived in Sacramento. The sun is out, the Sacramento and American Rivers are full and flowing, and the cyclists are out on the roads. May is a bicyclist’s paradise in the state’s Capitol and this May cycling enthusiasts have even more to enjoy. Spring has brought the Amgen Tour of California and a host of Bike Month events to Sacramento.

2017 Amgen Tour of California

America’s largest cycling race is coming to Sacramento. The Amgen Tour of California runs from May 11 - 20, 2017. The Amgen Tour of California has been bringing the most accomplished cyclists from around the world to race through some of California’s most beautiful and bike-friendly cities since its inception in 2006.

The men’s race will cover 575 miles through 12 cities from Sacramento to Pasadena from May 14-20. The women’s race will cover more than 250 miles through South Lake Tahoe, Elk Grove, and Sacramento from May 11 - 14.

This year, Sacramento is proudly hosting the 2017 Amgen Tour of California on Sunday, May 14th. It will be the ninth time the State Capitol has hosted an Amgen event.

"The City of Sacramento is proud to welcome the Amgen Tour of California back to our city for the ninth time. There is no better way to celebrate the glory of California's most distinguished cycling event than with a women's Overall Finish and Stage 3 and a men's Overall Start in our beautiful state capital." - Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg

The Amgen Tour of California offers cycling fans a rare opportunity to interact with the athletes before the kickoff each morning. For two hours before the race, cyclists are available for fan meet-and-greets and photos.

The Amgen Tour of California is always an exciting event, but Sacramento is offering even more ways to celebrate Bike Month this May.

Bike Month Events in Sacramento

These are just a few of the exciting events happening in and around Sacramento for Bike Month, you can view a full calendar of events at BikeMonth.com.

May 11: Capitol BikeFest

Sacramento is celebrating Bike Month with Capitol BikeFest on May 11th on the West Lawn of the State Capitol from 11AM to 1PM. BikeFest is hosted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and its outreach partners, the regional Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) and the California Department of General Services.

Participants who present their log sheet showing their current miles recorded for May is Bike Month either by phone or printed copy will receive ice cream, a Bike Month t-shirt, and a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of two commuter bicycles. The raffle will be from 12:15PM to 12:30PM, and you must be present to win.

This annual event promotes bicycling and other clean air transportation, and there will be plenty to see at the Capitol:

Information tables on transit and transportation-related services in the Sacramento region and outlying areas.

Bicycle advocacy groups, bike clubs, safety experts and retail shops.

Walking advocacy groups, walking clubs, and retail shops.

Environmental and health-related display booths.

Electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and others utilizing new technology.

Music

Commuter buses and shuttle services.

Free bike valet parking will be available.

National Bike to Work Week/ Bike to Work Day

May 15 - 19 is National Bike to Work Week. According to the League of American Bicyclists, 40% of all trips in the U.S. are less than two miles, making bicycling a feasible and fun way to get to work. From 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. has grown 62%.

Bike to Work Week is the perfect opportunity to take part in Bike Month festivities in Sacramento. Bike to Work Week culminates on National Bike to Work Day on May 19, 2017.

Many people who participate as a first-time commuter on Bike Day go on to become regular bicycle commuters, so if you’ve never done a bicycle commute before this is a great time to try it out. Regular bicycle commuting offers tremendous benefits for your personal health, it’s good for the planet, and it’s good for your wallet, too.

If a long commute to work is keeping you from participating in Bike to Work Week (or Day), try a combination of public transit and biking. Many regional buses, light rails, and trains have bike racks that allow commuters to combine bike and public transit commuting.

For a complete list of Bike Month events happening in and around Sacramento, mayisbikemonth.com has an events calendar that covers everything from rides, repair clinics, bike classes, and more.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast who lives in the Sacramento region, May just might be your favorite time of the year. From the celebrated Amgen Tour of California to an almost dizzying array of Bike Month events, there’s no better time to get out and ride than right now.