Segway tours represent another step toward the inevitable fusion of man, machine, and the guide’s commentary. Give in to technological destiny with today’s Groupon.

The Deal

$49 for a Garden Glide Segway tour for two on the Sacramento River Trail (a $100 value). The tour departs from Shasta Glide ‘n Ride’s parking lot, located at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and passes sites such as:

• The Monolith
• Sundial Bridge
• The McConnell Arboretum loop
• Caldwell Park
• Redding Aquatic Center and skate park
• The historic Diestelhorst Bridge<p>

[[m:####Shasta Glide ‘n Ride

Shasta Glide ‘n Ride’s tour guides time their running commentary, broadcast through headsets, to the whir of Segway wheels propelling patrons through scenic stretches of the paved Sacramento River Trail. First, riders hone Segway skills during a brief session that includes hands-on training and tips on how to garner the best mechanical performance by impersonating a mother robot. With new Segway knowledge in hand, tours embark from the parking lot at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Roadsters obediently bend to their riders’ whims as they glide across the nearby Sundial Bridge—a piece of functional art designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava—and through sunning flocks of wildlife to the tune of tales about the Gold Rush and Old West. Available cooling vests enable comfortable treks, even on days with 100-degree temperatures or hot-cocoa showers, and modern technology allows Segways to slice through fog or light rain. Patrons can also design their own tours atop rental bikes and pedal through local flora and fauna for hours at a time.:m]