Annadel Bike Race Benefit

Annadel State Park is one of California’s crown jewels for many things, not least of them is the fantastic mountain biking opportunities on its miles and miles of off-road trails. Recently, the County of Sonoma’s Regional Parks Department stepped up to the plate to help keep Annadel open and maintained in response to the State’s ongoing budget challenges. Unfortunately, recent news has indicated that this budget shortfall had more to do with budgetary underreporting than an actual loss of revenue. While this story continues to unfold (at least as of July 20th), we think that this only demonstrates that a resource this important needs to be under the control, transparency, and accountability of our own local Parks Department. Just as with 2011, with Annadel slated for closure, our ability to raise a more than $55,000 for the cause was vital in the County’s ability to shoulder this extra burden. In the coming years, this race will continue to do its substantial part in helping to ensure that this critically important resource remain open to the public. The recent news changes nothing about our commitment to this jewel of a park and its ongoing struggle to receive the attention it richly deserves.

This year’s race course will mirror 2011′s and will take racers through the entire park’s circumference. As a very rocky place, Annadel’s trails are indeed technical. You need to race this event with caution for a number of reasons. In addition to being technical, Annadel is frequented by over 300,000 visitors every year. With the bell curve of that being on the weekends, you’re certain to see many other park users during the event. It is of the utmost importance that you race with that in mind and be courteous to other park visitors. Your treatment of others and your behavior on the course will be a major factor in the ongoing success of this event.

With a downtown start right in front of Santa Rosa City Hall, this race tops out at 30.7 miles with about 3,500′ of climbing. Everybody starts together with a neutral roll-out for ½ mile and then we open the throttle and race to the entrance of Howarth Park at Summerfield Road. 2.5 Miles of city streets makes for an exciting start to the day. Once you’re in Howarth Park you’ll make your way through Spring Lake Regional Park and under the start/finish banner for the first time before ascending Violetti trail into the mouth of Annadel State Park.

Field limit is 800 racers.
No same-day registration!

The Course in Detail:
Short Course: 22 Miles
Long Course: 31 Miles

Info: http://www.bikemonkey.net/events/annadel/