About Goldenride Pricing What's Included Route Health & Safety Camping & Lodging Places of Interest Bike Types & Training Our Story Testimonials
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Rails, trails & ales

Goldenride is a weekend bicycle event that will start at Lincoln’s Union Plaza/Jayne Snyder Trails Center and follow the Homestead Trail 44 miles south to Chautauqua Park in Beatrice. The two-day, fully supported event takes riders along a former railroad corridor through beautiful rural Nebraska, and features live music, games, activities, craft beer, delicious food and lifetime memories. The name Goldenride is inspired by goldenrod, the official state flower of Nebraska. This seasonal bloom celebrates the fall harvest, football season and the best of Nebraska weather.

 

2023 event

Friday, Sept. 8
Saturday, Sept. 9
Sunday, Sept. 10

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Event format

This weekend ride is geared to highlight local communities in Nebraska and our state’s beautiful rural scenery. The route is trail based to attract the widest variety of riders from novice to experienced, and will feature four rest stops in rural Nebraska towns. It is a fully SAG supported event, which means that our official bicycle shop partner, Cycle Works of Lincoln, will be near the route, ready to assist with any mechanical issues. Organizers will transport all overnight gear.

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Three days of fun. One low price.

Super Early Bird Registration

NOW THROUGH MAY 31

$145
Adult

$60
Student

Register

Early Bird Registration

JUNE 1 — SEPTEMBER 4

$165
Adult

$90
Student

Register

Late
Registration

SEPTEMBER 5 — 8

$195
Adult

$90
Student

Register

 

Student registrations are for those under age 21 and do not include adult beverages.

 
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What’s included

This event is Nebraska’s signature bike ride that truly is for riders of all ages and and experience levels. Enjoy the ride and let’s make it happen.

Here’s what you get with your registration fee:

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✓ Goldenride Swag

Commemorative t-shirt

✓ Select meals

Includes Friday night meal and drink voucher, Saturday night meal voucher, and two grab-and-go breakfasts (hot coffee, breakfast bars, fruit) on Saturday & Sunday

✓ Gear transport

Organizers will transport riders’ overnight gear from Lincoln or Roca to Beatrice

✓ Pre-ride training & info

✓ App with GPS route maps

Download the Ride with GPS App for virtual training and event day directions

✓ Friday night check-in

Riders will enjoy live music and a meal and drink ticket at Union Plaza/Jayne Snyder Trails Center in Lincoln

✓ SAG support

Goldenride’s official bicycle shop partner, Cycle Works of Lincoln, will be available to assist with any mechanical issues

✓ Rest stops

Rest stops at Roca, Cortland, and Pickrell will have live music, fruit, snacks & water (and beer, duh!)

✓ Overnight camping

At Chautauqua Park in Beatrice

✓ Premium shower service & charging station

✓ Games, activities, yoga & football watch party

✓ Complimentary beverages

Water and sports drinks at the campsite and two drink tickets at Stone Hollow Brewing Company from 12-5PM

✓ Shuttle service & luggage pickup at Beatrice hotels

For those that opt to stay at Beatrice hotels instead of camping

 
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Goldenride Route

1. Friday Check-in at Union Plaza/Jayne Snyder Trails Center in Lincoln
2. Saturday Ride from Lincoln or Roca to Beatrice
3. Sunday Ride from Beatrice to Lincoln or Roca
✱ Rest stops

44 miles

One way Lincoln to Beatrice

32 miles

One way Roca to Beatrice

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About the route

Riders start at Union Plaza/Jayne Snyder Trails Center and navigate to the Jamaica North Trail to just south of Saltillo Road, where the trail becomes the Homestead Trail. The Jamaica North Trail is paved from J Street south to Calvert Street, then becomes packed limestone. The Homestead Trail is paved in Beatrice as well, otherwise it is limestone packed, which provides a smooth riding surface.

The Homestead Trail winds through acres of farmland and travels through Roca, Princeton, Cortland and Pickrell. We plan rest stops in Roca, Cortland and Pickrell. The nine-mile section from Cortland to Pickrell features greener scenery of relatively dense tree cover and crosses over 18 restored railroad trestles. There are bars in Roca and Pickrell, and a convenience store in Cortland.

The former railroad corridor continues south of Beatrice along the Standing Bear Trail and the Blue River Rail Trail to Marysville, Kansas. From Lincoln to Marysville, Kansas, this rail-trail is 78 miles in length and provides a safe, unique opportunity to discover the beauty of rural Nebraska and Kansas.

 
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Health & safety

Helmet requirement

Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bicycle.

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Covid-19 guideLINES

Purchaser assumes all COVID-19 related risks and all state and local guidelines apply. Please be responsible:

 
 

✓ Be healthy to participate
✓ Riders are encouraged to bring a mask for congested spaces.

✓ Wash or sanitize hands frequently
✓ Maintain 6’ social distance

 
 
 
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Camping & Lodging

Overnight camping on Saturday is provided at Chautauqua Park, an 80-acre beautifully shaded park in Beatrice. Camper hookups are available by contacting the City of Beatrice. A motel list for both Lincoln and Beatrice will be provided to all riders.

 
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History of the Homestead

The Homestead Trail follows the route of a rail corridor that was abandoned by Union Pacific in 1999. Construction began on the trail in 2007 and was completed in the summer of 2012 by a partnership of the Nebraska Trails Foundation, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and the City of Beatrice.

The Homestead National Monument, for which the trail is named, is another short ride along Highway 4 from Beatrice, although an off-road connection is planned for the future. The monument commemorates the impacts of the Homestead Act on the United States and offers numerous exhibits for those not yet tired from their journey.

Trail Owners/Managers

The Jamaica North Trail is owned and managed by the City of Lincoln. The Homestead Trail is owned and managed by the Lower Platte South NRD to near Cortland. The Lower Big Blue NRD owns and manages the Homestead Trail south of Cortland to Beatrice.

 
 

Places of Interest

the Jane Snyder Trails Center

The Jayne Snyder Trails Center provides amenities for trail users, space for public gatherings, and restroom facilities.

The Hub Cafe

The Hub Cafe’s approach to food is simple: use the best ingredients that local farmers have to offer. Sourcing from the farmers in our local food community allows The Hub Cafe to transform the bounty of this land into exceptional modern farm fare.

Beatrice

Just 40 miles south of Lincoln, Beatrice is town of nearly 13,000 residents that offers beautiful parks, small town hospitality, Homestead National Historical Park, flavorful local cuisine and Stone Hollow Brewery.

Stone Hollow Brewery

Stone Hollow Brewing Company is a production brewery and tap house located in Beatrice, Nebraska which offers quality & adventurous beer in a unique setting.

 
 

 Bike Type

The Jamaica North Trail is paved within Lincoln from J Street south to Calvert Street, then becomes packed limestone all the way to Beatrice, where it is paved. This trail is suitable for all types of bikes (road, hybrid, e-bikes, mountain, gravel, tandem, fat). For the smoothest ride, we recommend tires no skinnier than 25mm. We encourage all riders to visit their local bicycle shop to make sure their bikes are ready to roll!

 

Training

To maximize your enjoyment of this adventure, we recommend that all riders prepare themselves mentally and physically by riding a few times a week, up to 10 miles each with a longer ride on the weekend, starting at least 4 weeks prior to the event.

Prep Video

 
 
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Our Story

 

About Goldenride

This two-day bicycle event is born out of a growing demand for outdoor recreation during this pandemic and the recent boom in cycling. Goldenride is a fundraising platform to add value for stakeholders, members, the cycling industry, community partners and healthy lifestyle providers throughout the State of Nebraska. And, it further promotes trail development, bicycle tourism, advocacy and outreach.

 TARGET AUDIENCE/NUMBER OF RIDERS

This ride is for new and experienced bike riders of all ages. This family friendly experience requires that you must be 12 years and older, with the goal of attracting 300-500 riders this first year. All but a few blocks of this route is on a recreational trail. This unique feature makes it a perfect weekend bicycle event for those who have never experienced a multi-day ride or may not be comfortable riding on Nebraska’s highways. There is growing potential that this event has the capacity to handle upwards of 700 riders in future years.

THE ORGANIZERS

Verano, LLC will produce Goldenride and also produces Tour de Nebraska. Over the last 30 years, there is a legacy of proven success, building community partnerships and lasting economic impact.