Leaving Carmichael you will take the American River Parkway Bike Trail to the Guy West Bridge and then bike under the H Street Bridge (photo left).

Next follow H Street until you reach McKinley Park (photo right), where routinely you will see walkers and joggers enjoying this lovely spot.

You next will take G Street (photos right & left) in your trek across the city.

G street is shady - lots of trees -  and is quiet - in part because of the controversial intersection blockades.

The 29 mile option conveys you south along 19th Street to W Street, which you take to Riverside Blvd, where you continue your southbound course. 

Almost immediately on Riverside Blvd you will pass the historic Sacramento City Cemetery (photo below), which is well worth subsequent bicycle exploration.

The 29 mile ride continues south on Riverside Blvd to the Sacramento River Bike Trail, which you will take northward back up to the downtown area. 

The northern termination of this trail takes you along the lovely Riverfront Promenade (photo above):  if you have time, stop to read some of the interesting historical plaques.

After traversing the commercial downtown area, you will take shady, quiet H Street (photo right) all the way back to the CSUS campus in East Sacramento.

The 29 mile ride then returns to the ride start via the Guy West Bridge and the American River Parkway Bike Trail.

The 54 mile option continues past 19th Street to 7th Street and to Capitol Mall, then starts south on the Sacramento River Bike Trail (in the opposite direction from the 29 mile route). 

Between the Riverfront Promenade and Broadway appearances along the bike trail are somewhat industrial, but south of Broadway river views become attractive (photos above).

At the southern terminus of the bike trail you will take Riverside Blvd to the Pocket Road and to Freeport Blvd.  The hamlet of Freeport offers you Rest Stop #1; this will be your last opportunity to purchase food for 15 miles.

Next cross the Freeport Bridge (photo left) and start back north on South River Road.  It is lightly traveled and offers lovely river views, but it is mildly bumpy.

Eventually you will pass through West Sacramento and cross the I Street Bridge (photo right).  Like most Sacramento River bridges, this is a "draw bridge":  just now and then you will come upon such a bridge in the "up" position and have to wait.

This ancient bridge splits in the middle; take a left turn at the split onto Jibboon Street and cross the rail yards on your way to Discovery Park.

From Discovery Park it's a short 13.5 miles on the American River Parkway Bike Trail (photos right & left) back to the ride start.