CYCLISTS
PEDDLE LAKE TAHOE
by: Pettit
Gilwee
Etched into the rugged mountains of North Lake Tahoe are hundreds of miles of trails designed to thrill and challenge mountain bike riders of all ages. The 72-mile shoreline of the pristine lake also offers some of the most scenic road riding in the nation, along with a variety of events that lure bikers of all abilities
to this mountain oasis for
competition, as well as pure fun. In short, North Lake Tahoe
is a
bike rider’s paradise.According to the Adventure Travel Report, biking vacations attracted more than 27 million travelers in the past five years and they rank as the third most popular outdoor vacation activity in America. More than 80 percent of biking travelers included a camping trip and 72 percent took hiking trips, making North Lake Tahoe’s massive appeal to this niche of active travelers abundantly clear.
Amongst the area’s more popular rides is the section of the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) from Mt. Rose to Tunnel Creek, according to Ben Fresco, manager of Village Bicycles in Incline Village. Another popular, and more technical, stretch of the TRT is the one that drops into Marlette Lake with a rolling climb and steep ascent.
The experienced staff of Village Bicycles also sends visitors to the Flume Trail, a scenic 14-mile ride with phenomenal views of Lake Tahoe. Village Bicycles has a fleet of rentals for all riders, as well as maps and personal insight for bikers unfamiliar with the area. While the shop doesn’t lead organized groups, staff often accompanies visitors on casual trips on their own time.
“If you just drop by to see what’s going on, you can often find one of us heading out on the trails,” Fresco said.
In Tahoe City, Cyclepaths Mountain Adventure has great access to some of the West Shore’s best single-track trails. Their informative staff recommends the Page Meadows section of the TRT for novice and intermediates and the Ellis Peak ride for advanced riders. The Fiberboard Freeway, a partly paved, partly graded path, is ideal for novices, and paved paths branching out from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley (along the Truckee River), Dollar Point and Sugar Pine Point State Park are ideal for families and kids. Cyclepaths also leads organized tours and ride camps throughout the summer.
For less climb and more fly, the mountain bike park at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee is the largest in Northern California with lifts accessing more than 100 miles of trails. The park recently added five new trail segments, two new trails, new jump park and skills development area. The park is open daily through the summer and weekends through the fall and offers an ongoing downhill and cross-country race series.
For road riders, the 72-mile trek around the lake is incomparable, but with varying elevations climbing between 6,200 and 7,500 feet, the loop is recommended for advanced riders only. Out-and-back stretches are still suitable for those wanting to enjoy sections of the loop. The nine-and-a-half-mile section from Tahoe City to Tahoma is relatively flat and perfect for those looking for a less strenuous ride. The 36-mile Truckee loop, from Tahoe City to Truckee (via Highway 89), then past Northstar over Brockway Summit (via Highway 267) and back to Tahoe City (via Highway 28) is also a popular route for riders looking for a challenging climb and rolling lake views.
The Truckee loop is also the route used for the Tour de Nez, which recently returned to North Lake Tahoe and Reno. Once dubbed the “coolest cycling adventure in the world” by California Cycling Magazine, the event includes a 100-plus-mile race (via the Truckee loop) and festivities complete with kids’ races, block parties, Clunker Classics, live music, bike messenger scavenger hunt, clinics and bike swap.
The Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue circles the lake and even the Lake Tahoe Marathon takes advantage of the world-class biking venue, offering 72-mile, 35-mile and 20-mile rides, creating an action-packed biking marathon. For off-roading multi-athletes, there’s the Xterra Tahoe City Triathlon and Big Blue Adventure Race.
General Biking Rules of the Road
- Ride safely; ride in remote areas at your own risk (carry a communication device)
- Bicyclists are no different than cars, they must obey all traffic laws.
- Helmets are HIGHLY recommended and they are mandatory for children under 18 years of age.
- Trails are for multiple use - be courteous - and remember to always ride at a safe speed.
- Keep to the right on bicycles, to the left for walking or running.
- Do not obstruct the trail, move to the side when stopping.
- Ride only where bicycles are permitted.
- Protect the environment, minimize erosion by avoiding soft wet areas.
- Please don't litter, always always always pack it out.
- Watch for and yield to trail maintenance equipment and crews.
- Always use caution, let others on the trails know that you are about to overtake them from behind with an advanced loud "coming up on your right (or left)".
- Hydration is critical, make sure you have plenty of fluids and remember, Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas are not at sea-level, be conscious of higher elevation exhaustion.
- Plan your route, carry a map, campuss or GPS.
Directions:
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit http://www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
Photo: Bicyclist: Courtesy North Lake Tahoe/Tom Zikas
Photo: Tahoe 3-D Map Courtesy Patrick Witz
Ó Pettit Gilwee 2008