Ride 4A Reason 2026

Ride 4 A Reason has 3 different routes for cyclists of every level and experience, and there's always a virtual option for those that prefer to ride with us in spirit! 

110 Miles - Ride all the way from Oakland to Sacramento!  The century ride begins at Oakland Technical High School and passes through beautiful bay area communities on the way to Sacramento. 

68 Miles - Start in Suisun City and enjoy some of the most delightful miles of R4R.  This route begins at the Suisun City train depot, and riders can choose a shuttle bus from Oakland Tech (leaves at 8 AM) or take the train/drive a car to the Suisun City train station. 

45 Miles - Our most family friendly route starts in Vacaville and has less than 600 ft of elevation gain, making it a perfect ride for anyone who is newer to long-distance cycling. This route begins at a park in Vacaville, and riders can take a shuttle bus that leaves at 8 AM from Oakland Tech to the ride start.

All rides end in Sacramento at the State Capitol with a catered lunch and a rally to celebrate the riders and highlight the need for more education funding.  Riders can choose to reserve a seat on the shuttle bus back to Oakland Tech or take Amtrak back to Oakland/Jack London Square.  

RIDE 4A REASON 2025 ROUTES

Because the road closures we dealt with last year are still in effect, we'll be riding the same century(+) route that we rode for the first time in 2024.  The 68 and 45 mile routes remain the same, and we're looking forward to another year of beautiful roads, clear skies, and inspiring support for our schools! 

THE ROUTES

100+ mile ride - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45129815

68 mile ride - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45487334

45 mile ride - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45487338

R4R depends on our business sponsors to help us cover operating costs, enabling 100% of funds raised by riders to be directed to our schools. Please join our other loyal business sponsors to help us make this moving event possible.  Check out our sponsorship opportunities below, and find more info here! If you don't see a level that works for you, please reach out to us at R4RSchools1@gmail.com -- we're flexible! 

If you're ready to sponsor and would like to donate online, go to the Sponsorship Page and select your level. You will be invoiced after your sponsorship is created and can pay online or, If you'd prefer to mail a check, you can send it to: 

Social Good Fund, with "Ride 4A Reason" in the memo line. 
PO Box 11386
Oakland, CA  94611

Frequently Asked Questions About Ride 4 A Reason

​1) What fundraising resources do you have?
We are glad to support your fundraising efforts, whether you've done R4R for 12 years or this is your first time. Please visit the fundraising tools page to get started. 

2) Do you provide transportation home from Sacramento?
We will charter buses that can transport 150 people from Sacramento to Oakland.  Bikes of riders taking the buses will be transported by rented box trucks, very carefully loaded, and unloaded by trained volunteers; we will use moving blankets and bungee cords to secure and protect bikes during transport. Transportation from Sacramento to Oakland must be reserved and booked ahead of time to ensure a space on a bus. If you didn't select a seat on the bus when you registered but now would like to reserve one, please email r4rschools1@gmail.com. 

3) Do I have to raise $250 in order to ride?
There isn't a fundraising minimum. However, we do hope you will consider participating in the fundraising part. Our goal is to raise $200,000 to be split evenly between parent-teacher organizations at 11 public schools: Edna Brewer Middle, Emerson Elementary, Life Academy, Montera Middle School, Oakland International High, Oakland Technical High, Roosevelt Middle School, Skyline High School, Westlake Middle, Encinal Jr. and Senior High School and the Equity Fund for Oakland Schools , to support essential enrichment programs.

Click here to learn more about the impact of donations.  Those who raise $250 by April 15th will receive rainbow stars on their bibs; those who raise $1,000 will receive gold stars!

4) Do you accept check and cash donations?
Yes! All checks should be payable to "Social Good Fund" with "R4R" in memo line and sent to:
Ride 4A Reason
PO Box 11386
Oakland, CA  94611

If you have cash, please turn in an envelope with your donors' names, addresses, and donation amount at registration check in.

5) What are the routes?
110-mile course: Our new route from 2024, avoids road closures. 
66-mile course: The ride gains about 1,300 feet of elevation.
45-mile course: The ride is largely flat.

6) Can I transfer my registration to someone else?

Yes! You can transfer your registration to someone else, who can then register for the same ride distance you registered for.  Please login to your RunSignUp account and follow the instructions here. 

7) What if I need to change my ride distance after I've registered?

Sometimes, training doesn't go as planned...or goes much better than expected...and you may find yourself wanting to switch routes.  Follow these steps to change your event route in your RunSignUp account:

• Login to your RunSignUp account (you must use the same email that you registered with)
• Scroll down to “Upcoming Races” and select “Manage Registration” next to Ride 4 A Reason
• Click on “Transfer Event” (top right-hand corner under profile pic)
• Click on “Start Transfer” and complete required information to switch your event

8) I have never ridden my bike a long distance, what should I do to prepare?
Please visit our Training page.

9) What kind of “support” is provided on the day of the ride?
We provide all the fluids and energy products you will need throughout the day, as well as a hearty lunch at the finish.  There are five rest stops on the 110 mile course, and several other locations where SAG wagons (support vehicles) will be stopped and you can receive fluids or energy products. We also provide you with a set of route directions, and route markers will be posted to help you to avoid getting lost. We will have SAG wagons roaming the course throughout the day to provide assistance to riders (e.g., minor bike repairs, first aid, fluids, energy products), and transportation to riders who are not able to make it to the finish line by the designated cut-off time.

10) What should I wear and bring on the day of the ride?
In the spring, we experience a wide range of temperature and weather conditions.  Wool, polypropylene, and lycra all breathe very well and keep you warm/dry in wet weather. We advise you to save a cotton shirt for the finish line! You need to bring personal identification and a medical card. You are strongly encouraged to bring a cell phone and some cash. You are required to wear a bike helmet in order to participate. We also recommend that you wear a good pair of cycling shorts with a chamois to keep you comfortable en route, and a pair of padded bike gloves. If you signed up for the 110 mile ride, you also should consider using clip-in pedals/cycling shoes, or pedals with toe-clips. You should have a comfortable seat, and at least one large (24 ounce) water bottle, and a water bottle holder on your bike.

At Oakland Tech on the morning of the ride, prior to starting the ride, you can check-in a change of clothes (to wear after completing the ride), and/or any layers you would like to shed before you start.  We’ll have plastic bags and marking pens to keep track of your clothes, which then will be transported to Sacramento, where you can pick them up after you finish. 

11) Do I need to ride a road bike?
A lightweight road bike is highly recommended to complete the 110 mile ride. All bikes, regardless should be fitted with slicks (tires with smooth, not knobby, treads) to reduce rolling resistance to improve your efficiency and enjoyment of the ride. Make sure your bike is in good working order and safe to ride before you start. Keep it tuned-up, tires properly inflated, chain clean and well lubricated, and brakes and derailleurs properly adjusted and in good working order. 

12) How do I change my fundraising target?

Login to RunSignUp and click on your Profile by hovering over the icon in the top right corner.  Scroll down to "Fundraising" and then select "Edit Fundraiser" to change your goal, your fundraising ask, etc. 

13) What is your Tax ID?
The fiscal sponsor of R4R is the Social Good Fund which is a 501 (c)3 organization. The Tax ID is 46-1323531.  Donations (not including registration) are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Over the last 15 years, Ride For a Reason has raised close to $1.62 million for public schools in Oakland and Alameda, providing resources and experiences that would not have been possible for more than 6,300 students per year.  Last year over 300 riders cycled to Sacramento, raising over $125,000. As a result, twelve schools received close to $11,000 each to foster student learning, growth, leadership and success.

VITAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS

Many of our beneficiary schools do not have a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or other non-profit fundraising group, and are not able to raise large amounts of private donations. They often lack resources for sports, enrichment, and other programs. 

The schools use R4R funds for critically important basics such as library books, sports equipment, art education, after-school programs, science equipment, and staff salaries for counselors, librarians, and reading specialists  See below for a more detailed description of how these funds have benefited students at R4R schools.

THE STUDENTS WE SERVE 

R4R schools serve a special and vulnerable population, predominantly students who receive free or reduced lunch, are English language learners, migrant students and other historically marginalized student groups  At five of our schools,  approximately 90 percent-or-more of students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches.

R4R POLICY FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS 

R4R champions increased funding for CA public education by supporting eleven East Bay public schools that have significant unmet financial needs.  While all the schools we support were Title I schools when they became beneficiaries (≥ 40 percent of students being low- income), there have been demographic changes at some of our schools since the founding of R4R in 2009.  Up until 2024, we awarded an equal share of proceeds to each school. 

Recognizing significant variation between our schools in the percentage of low-income students that they serve, we established a policy to enact a more equitable distribution of proceeds. Beginning in 2025, the proportional share of proceeds awarded, will be based on the portion of students that are low-income with three categories defined as follows: 

• Legacy Schools - former Title I schools, less than 40% low-income
• Title I Schools - where at least 40% of students are low-income
• Highest Need Schools - where 70% or more of students are low-income

R4R is adopting a 70-15-15 formula for proportional distribution of proceeds:

70% of proceeds are pooled in a Base-Fund, all beneficiaries receive an equal share;
15% of proceeds are pooled in a Booster-Fund, all Title I schools receive an equal share; and
15% of proceeds are pooled in a Rocket-Fund, all the Highest-Need schools receive an equal share.

For additional details regarding this policy including how this could shift the amount of funds R4R schools receive, as related to relative need, please see this document.

MEET OUR SCHOOLS 

 Oakland International High School is so thankful for the way R4R funds support enriching, creative learning experiences for our students. OIHS uses R4R funds to support post session classes during the final three weeks of school, where teachers collaborate to create a 'school without walls' where students collaborate on real world projects and earn the credits they need to graduate high school, often mostly from outside the school campus and out in the community. This program helps to ensure CSU and UC eligibility for our newcomer students while allow for more creative educational experiences. This support from R4R helps enable us to better meet our goal to open pathways to college and career to all of our recent immigrant students.

Ride 4 a Reason has had a tremendous impact on Roosevelt Middle School. This fundraiser has provided opportunities for our students that they otherwise would not have. It has provided funding for field trips and student interest clubs which give our students a much richer and more engaging educational experience at Roosevelt.

Edna Brewer Middle School is truly grateful for the funds raised by R4R each year. The Brewer administrative team along with our PTSA work together to allocate R4R funds to support our art and music programs, tutoring services, facility upgrades, school supplies, and healthy student snacks. In addition, we were able to make funding available in the 2023-2024 school year for mini-grants for teacher projects, field trips and our distinguished Restorative Justice program. R4R funding is critical to Edna Brewer Middle School’s ability to support enrichment programs, academic excellence and our incredible students, teachers and staff every day. Thank you R4R for supporting our Panther Community!

The funds brought into Oakland Tech by R4R are directly deposited into our PTSA’s general fund, where they are used to purchase supplies that support teachers, departments, and academies. These funds also help finance over 20 events, ranging from the Summer Bridge program to the Black and Brown Family Summit, Día de los Muertos celebrations, Homecoming, and Raza Heritage Month. Additionally, they support athletics, graduation, the arts, and beautification efforts across the school.

Funds are also allocated to assist families in need and to strengthen our college and career programs, including an annual HBCU tour. Every dollar we receive is invested 100% in supporting our students and faculty. These investments will have lasting, positive effects on Oakland, both in the short term and long into the future. Thank you R4R!

Life Academy's annual Post Session would not be possible without Ride for a Reason. During the last two and a half weeks of the semester, the entire school suspends classes and engages in learning outside the walls of the school building. Students opt into classes ranging from bike-packing, to photography and film-making, art, and mental health workshops. They travel from Point Reyes Station down to Monterey Bay bikes, BART, buses, and their own feet. The funds pay for camping registration, museum entry fees, watercolors, s'mores, kayak lessons, and so much sunscreen. Life Academy is forever grateful to Ride for a Reason and the many riders, donors, and funders who make our end-of-year learning possible!

At Encinal Junior/Senior High the funds raised by R4R power new books for our library, audio equipment for our Drama and Musical productions, and college field trips. We were able to organize a trip to to San Jose State and Santa Clara University for graduating seniors who might not otherwise attend an in-person tour. We also depend on R4R funds to help stage Unity Day; a school-wide festival celebrating the language, arts, food, emigration stories and cultures from around the globe represented at our school. It's a major undertaking where students themselves teach lessons in 'continental classrooms' - each wing of the school is a different part of the world, and each class is led by a student teacher for the day. We're so grateful to celebrate our diverse student body in so many tangible ways, in part due to funds from Ride for a Reason!

Westlake really appreciates the support of Ride 4 A Reason. Our deepest gratitude is extended to your organization from our entire School Community. Here at Westlake the money that we receive from you is used for many different things on our campus. School wide events to honor our scholar achievers and athletes are supplied with these funds. It has been used to provide refreshments and supplies for our teacher meetings and classrooms. Our scholars are able to attend many different field trips including College visits in Southern California. It has also been used to fund our athletic department with adequate sporting equipment used for varies athletic teams. Westlake feels honored to be one of the schools to receive your gracious funds. Thanks for Ride 4 A Reason!!

Emerson Elementary School is using R4R funding to continue to provide library services, including funding the librarian position to a student population that is 75% free and reduced lunch. “Our kids benefit so much from a library stocked with awesome, diverse books and an experienced librarian.&rdquo

Equity Allies redistributes R4R funds to principals at recipient schools, who can then use funds at their discretion, without barriers. In prior years funds were made available to 20 schools, and realized broad, local impact. “With families in the highest need schools facing some of the starkest impact from the pandemic the support from R4R got funds to school communities that need it the most.”  

Montera Middle School used money to effectively transition to online learning, providing for tech supplies and tools to support teachers and students. “The donation from your intrepid riders helped to pay for after school programming, music and sports programs, including our cheer team, that our students need to be well-rounded and engaged at Montera Middle School.”  

Skyline High School is deeply thankful to be a recipient of the funds raised by R4R each year. At Skyline, the PTSA uses those funds to support Teacher grants and other projects at the school to help students have a better high school experience. In the 2022-2023 school year, R4R helped purchase two new Flowater units and worked to get them installed in an accessible location so that all students could access clean drinking water throughout the day. For our teacher grant program, we were able to help teachers with animals for dissection, field trips to the Oakland Zoo and Alcatraz, new furniture for the library, sports equipment and uniforms, and books. One additional item that we are able to do thanks to these funds is provide special lunches to appreciate the staff and teachers, who work so hard to educate our children and keep them safe. Below are pictures of one of our PTSA sponsored breakfasts and lunches. Thank you so much for R4R support!

Please click the link below to download the 2025 rider guide.  

You're signed up to ride, now what? 

First, you are not alone, and we have some resources to share. Our friends at The League of American Cyclists are an excellent source of useful information for beginners including:

• “ABCs” of checking your bike for safety
• Bike clothing basics (what to wear and why)
• How to make sure you are comfortable on your bike
• How to ride efficiently
• Making sure your helmet fits properly
• What gear to ride in when

If you signed up for the 110-mile ride, you must have ridden at least a few 60 mile or longer rides before ride day. Here are some some training tips.  Bicycling Magazine has a nice article on training for a century.

TRAINING GROUPS 

Ride 4 A Reason has two groups that meet regularly to train for the ride. 

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

Join the Middle of the Road (MOTR) group as we train for Ride for a Reason - those training for the 68 or 109 mile routes are welcome to join us for Saturday morning rides.  Routes and meeting locations vary by week. Rain cancels or reschedules.  Check out our club on Strava for upcoming rides. https://www.strava.com/clubs/499308

Want to be added to our email list? Contact Merrilee Proffitt merrilee (AT) merrilee.org

EASY RIDERS

The Easy Rider Series meets twice monthly to experience the joy of riding in a group, while preparing to ride the 45-mile Ride for a Reason Route on April 20th , 2024. Please reach out to Elizabeth Crocker elizaniyali (at) gmail.com for more information and to confirm your plans to join the ride.

All January and February Easy Rider Training Rides meet at the Public Shore Parking Lot, behind Emeryville Chevys. The first two months we will ride the beautiful scenic bay trail for 12 to 24 mile rides, with a stop for restrooms and a snack at the turnaround point.

Helmets are required, and please bring a water bottle and a snack. Gloves, sunglasses, and warm clothing that covers the knees on cold days are critical for comfort.

EQUIPMENT 

Also, remember to take good care of your bike, so it can take good care of you. Keep your bike tuned-up, tires properly inflated, chain clean and well lubricated, and brakes properly adjusted with good pads. 
 
Invest in a pair of bike shorts with a good chamois. Also, wear bike gloves, and make sure you have a comfortable seat. You should not get numb after being on the seat a few hours. Your back-end though, will take awhile to get used to your new hobby (this is normal). If you signed up for the 109-mile ride, you also should consider using clip-in pedals/cycling shoes, or pedals with toe-clips.

If you have any specific training questions not addressed above, please email R4RSchools1 [at] gmail [dot] com.

*Ride for a Reason provides information about group training rides to encourage fellowship and fitness in our riders, and to help them become better, stronger, safer cyclists. Cycling, however, is an inherently risky activity, and riders should assume this risk with full knowledge of the risks and benefits of cycling. Ride for a Reason and its fiscal sponsors disclaim any liability for injury, damage, or mishap to riders (or their equipment) on these rides, and riders participate at their own risk and agree to hold Ride for a Reason and its fiscal sponsors harmless and not liable in the event of any accident or injury incurred during these activities. Be safe, be smart, have fun.

Planes Trains and Automobiles

As a one-way ride, good transportation planning to get back home is essential!  Here are your options:

Chartered Bus

We will provide a limited number of bus seats to the 45-mile and 68-mile ride starts.  Two large buses will provide transportation in the morning from Oakland Tech to the starting line’s for the 45-mile ride in Vacaville and one will provide transportation to the 68-mile start in Suisun City.  All buses will be used to bring folks home from Sacramento to Oakland. (Bikes belonging to riders taking the buses will be transported by rented box trucks, very carefully loaded, and unloaded by trained volunteers.)

Because bus seats are limited to 100 for the 45-mile route and 50 for the 68-mile route, we will be capping rider registration for these distances so that all riders in these distances will have a seat on the bus which is already included in their registration fee.  If you do not need a bus seat, please email R4RSchools1@gmail.com to let us know so we can add more riders.

Capitol Corridor Train

Folks doing the 68-mile course should plan to take the Capitol Corridor train from Jack London Square or Emeryville Stations to Suisun-Fairfield to start that course. You will need to purchase tickets for yourself and make sure to bring a photo ID.  More details to follow. 

It also is possible to arrange your own transportation home on the Capitol Corridor train from Sacramento Valley Station.  If you choose to take the train home, we strongly recommend purchasing a ticket on the train that departs Sacramento at 4:55 PM (next train is at 6:55PM).  

Arrange Your Own Personal Drop Off and Pick Up!

Sometimes getting a ride to the start and/or a pick up at the finish line is just the easiest thing to do--and that's ok!  Here are some details:45-Mile Riders should be ready to roll by 9:30AM from Alamo Creek Park (across street from 144 Alamo Dr, Vacaville)
68-Mile Riders should be ready to roll by 10:30AM from the Suisun City Train Depot at 177 Main Street, Suisun City).  
Finish Line: Riders are expected to arrive at the finish line between 12:30PM - 3:30PM, depending on pace.  Lunch will be served at the finish line this year and the rally will start between 3:30 - 4PM (all are invited to the rally!).  Please note that all parking meters are active on Saturdays; there is also the Capitol Garage on 10th & L Street.
 

We ask that all riders try to raise a minimum of $250 to help get to our collective goal of $200,000 which will benefit eleven public schools in Oakland and Alameda.

HOW TO RAISE FUNDS

STEP 1 - Visit your RunSignup profile by signing in - click the circle in the top right corner. 

STEP 2 - Click My Registered Races

STEP 3 - Click Manage next to the registration to Manage

STEP 4 - Click Fundraiser in the left-hand sidebar to begin editing your page! There is sample text written for you, please personalize it to make it your own! 

STEP 5 - Invite everyone you know to donate!  You can use the sample text on your fundraising page in an email.  Consider sending your fundraising appeal to friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, and your extended community.  

If you still have questions, please email R4RSchools1@gmail.com 

CHECK DONATIONS:
All checks should be payable to "Social Good Fund" with "R4R" in memo line and sent to:
Ride 4A Reason
PO Box 11386, Oakland, CA  94611

Social Good Fund is the fiscal sponsor for Ride for a Reason and is a 501(c)3 organization. The Tax ID is 46-1323531. Donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law.