In early September, Point Loma resident Andy Hanshaw will be leading thousands of bicyclists on a 25-mile ride over the Coronado Bridge and around the San Diego Bay.
As organizer of the inaugural Bike the Bay event being held on Sunday, Sept. 7, Hanshaw is gearing up for the noncompetitive community ride that is expected to draw an estimated 2,500 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the county.
“It is very exciting because this will be the first time in more than a decade that bikes will be allowed on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge,” said Hanshaw. “And for many of these folks, it also will be their first time to roll along the expansive Bayshore Bike Way.”
Hanshaw said he hopes it will eventually become an annual San Diego tradition to promote fun and safe bicycling.
On a roll
Hanshaw first envisioned the event nearly two years ago during one of his regular Sunday morning training rides that typically start in Point Loma and end in Coronado, where he dismounts and takes the ferry back to San Diego.
“I just kept thinking how cool it would be to ride over the bridge instead,” said Hanshaw, who often pedals up to 50 miles a week and has completed a handful of century rides throughout the western region.
The idea of a community ride over the bridge was met with enthusiasm from cyclists and gained further traction when Kathy Keehan, executive director of the San Diego County Bicycling Coalition, got on board.
“Kathy has been inspirational and instrumental in keeping this ride on the right track,” he said. “Her unwavering commitment and years of overseeing successful events like the annual Bike to Work Day have proven crucial.”
Little did Hanshaw know, however, that it would take many months and endless meetings with CalTrans, SANDAG, the Port of San Diego and city and county officials before final approval was granted to use the bridge and host the ambitious event.
“It has taken the support and cooperation of many people and organizations to get this community ride on the road,” said Hanshaw, who recently completed a five-year fundraising campaign for the new SDSU Alumni Center now under construction on campus.
Fun and fitness
Hanshaw is no stranger to athletic training and competition. Before taking up cycling, the 42-year-old Hanshaw was an avid runner who completed 10 marathons, including those in Boston, New York and San Diego. Then, a decade ago, he picked up mountain biking during frequent visits to a family vacation home in Sedona, Ariz.
“I got hooked on biking and started running less and pedaling more,” said Hanshaw, who grew up in Tucson and attended Arizona State University (ASU).
He serves as the local ASU alumni chapter president and sits on the association’s board of directors.
Since moving to San Diego in 2001 from Phoenix, via Portland, where he obtained his master’s degree in public administration from Portland State University and worked for a downtown business improvement district, Hanshaw has all but retired from running and now bikes almost exclusively.
While in Portland, he was part of the organizing committee for the inaugural Bridge Pedal, which has grown into a popular annual event that draws more than 20,000 riders.
Although sidelined after fracturing his elbow while biking on slippery red-rock trails early this summer in Sedona. Hanshw expects to be fully recovered and back on his street bike by the time Bike the Bay rolls out.
“It’s been a tough summer not being able to ride, but it has given me more time to focus on the community ride,” said Hanshaw.
And while he’s secured such major sponsors as the Port of San Diego, REI, Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Sunroad Developers, he’s still looking for additional supporters and volunteers.
“We still need more volunteers to help on the course, at the rest stops and at the end-of-ride festival,” he said.

Bike the Bay
Bike the Bay starts at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 at Embarcadero Marina Park South on Harbor Drive. Riders will take off over the bridge (one eastbound lane will be closed) and then head down bayside paths and bike lanes through Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and National City before returning to the park.
Only 2,500 riders will be permitted to participate, and all must be 14 or older to enter. Registration of $50 includes a T-shirt, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition.
Helmets are required. To enter, volunteer or find out about sponsorship opportunities, call (619) 269-6873, or visit www.bikethebay.net.