4 Bridges Ride Returns This Weekend

NEWPORT, RI — Bikers will take over the East Bay this weekend, riding 26 miles from North Kingstown to Bristol. The Four Bridges Ride gets its name from the route itself: riders cross the Verrazzano, Pell, Sakonnet and Mt. Hope bridges as they make their way across seven communities.

The ride kicks off at 7 a.m. on Sunday in North Kingstown. Participants will then ride 26 miles through the East Bay, ending at Roger Williams University in Bristol.

All participants must register in advance, and online registrations are no longer open. Anyone looking to still join can take advantage of the limited slots in-person at the park-and-ride in North Kingstown from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. In-person registration costs $75.

Since the ride is a point-to-point line, rather than a circular route, all participants are required to check in and drop their bikes off at the Hess Station at 1820 Boston Neck Road between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Those who will be dropped off at the beginning of the route can check in before the race between 6 and 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. Bikes will be monitored by local police overnight.

On Sunday morning, shuttles will run from Bristol to North Kingstown, bringing participants from the finish line to the starting line. No bikes will be allowed on the shuttles and there is no parking available at the starting line. Participants can park near RWU on Old Ferry Road from 5 a.m. until 6:15 a.m.

All participants are asked to follow the rules of the road. Because the route is long and hilly, no one under the age of 10 can take part. No bike seats or trailers are allowed. Drivers in the area are encouraged to be extra aware of bicyclists along the route. In some areas of the route, riders will have a dedicated lane to ride, while in others they will merge with regular traffic. More information about the route and an interactive map is available on the event's website.