Biking
Biking Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe not only has some of the best cycling in the sierras, but also some of the coolest events and great history. Close to the birthplace of mountain biking in Marin County, and the high-altitude training grounds of pro cyclists for decades, the mountains around Lake Tahoe have epic biking trails, stunning views and some long and rewarding rides. For years the high altitude passes have been training grounds for top pro cyclists and and challenging obstacles for passionate amateurs.
Mountain Biking
Some would say that Tahoe is the best place on the west coast for epic cross-country mountain biking, some would say the country, some would say the world. It all starts with the Tahoe Rim Trail (www.tahoerimtrail.org). Bar none, the best off road biking, remote wilderness hiking and backpacking in the Tahoe Basin can be found somewhere on this 150 mile long scenic trail. It’s just a matter of how far you want to ride to get it.
By far the most popular section of the TRT for hiking and biking is the Flume Trail (www.theflumetrail.com). The Flume Trail began life as a siphon waterway from Incline Village, Nevada on the east shore of Lake Tahoe over the Carson Range, down the Truckee Meadows, and up to Virginia City, NV high in the Virginia Range. (http://parks.nv.gov/ltbc.htm).
To access the Flume Trail there are three options. 1) Ride up Tunnel Creek Road from Sand Harbor in Incline Village, Nv. Just when you think your head will explode, turn right onto the Flume trail and continue on 7 miles of flat, winding, spectacular and intermittently exposed trail to Marlette Lake. 2) Alternatively, you can ride to Marlette Lake from Spooner Lake @ SpoonerSummit @ HWY 28 and HWY 50 and ride to Tunnell Creek Road and on to Sand Harbor. 3) Or start from Tahoe Meadows on SR 431 and ride south on the Rim trail to Tunnel Creek road. Go left on and there are several bike shops who offer one way shuttles to thie or the Mt. Rose Trailhead. There is a shuttle you can get to ride it one way and avoid the grind up Tunnel Creel Road offered by www.theflumetrail.com.
To access the flume park at any of the Tahoe Rim Trail trailheads that allow mountain biking. Get a map when you rent a bike or arrange your shuttle ride at any of the great local shops. Both rides finish just outside Incline Village, NV where you can ride down to the beach to cool off at Sand Harbor State Park (http://parks.nv.gov/lt.htm), or head into town for burritos, burgers, beer and rest after a long ride.
Tahoe Rim Trail Heads for mountain biking
Mt. Rose Highway, SR 431 (south)
Spooner Summit HWY 50 (north and south)
Kingsbury Grade SR 207 (North and South)
Big Meadow HWY 89 (North and South)
Tahoe City HWY 89 and HWY 28 (North and South)
Brockway HWY 267 (north and south)
It’s not all rugged remote back country riding at Tahoe. There are lots of easily accessible trails, like Paige Meadows in Tahoe City, The Rim Trail Tahoe Meadows and the Corral Trail in South Lake Tahoe that are easy enough for beginners with stunning views of the lake and Sierras Nevadas. There are also miles of paved bike path all around the lake. The best spots are along the shore in South Lake Tahoe and from Tahoe City to DL Bliss State Park. You can rent bikes from several shops right along the road in town.
From the high peaks around Lake Tahoe there are dozens of extreme downhill mountain biking trails. The main distinction of Downhill riding is the ability to either lift access or vehicle shuttle to the top so you can use a long travel mountain bike. Riders com from all over the country to ride trails like Mr Toads, Geiger Grade, and the Chinese Downhill.
Road Biking
With hundreds of miles of paved roads, the area around Lake Tahoe is awesome for Road Cycling. The views and amazing weather don’t hurt either. There are also 10 major climbs in the area, so no matter which end of the lake you’re at you can find a gruling epic road ride close at hand. For decades, pro cyclists like Greg LeMond and Bobby Julich have lived and trained in the mountains around Tahoe.
Several times through the summer you can get in on a large group ride that goes all the way around Lake Tahoe on smooth paved roads. The 72 mile ride around the lake is perhaps the most popular long ride. It has high traffic in areas, and has long strenuous climbs. The popular Death Ride (http://www.deathride.com/) organized by a local bike club is held every July and covers 129 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing. Also, the Tahoe Sierra Century (http://www.tahoesierracentury.com/) runs every September and circumnavigates Lake Tahoe on a supported bike tour. In June you can watch and participate in the Tour de Nez Bike Race in Truckee, Reno and Northstar. There are pro and masters omnimum races, messenger races, and century rides all week. http://tourdenez.com/
But don’t wait for these events. you’ll need to get in shape early. Ride the lake on your own and enjoy a “credit card” tour. With restaurants and bike shops at frequent intervals around the lake, Tahoe is the perfect place for a self supported road bike tour. Also be sure to hit the “Lemond Loop,” the famous route that Greg LeMond used to train for the Tour de France!
Tahoe Road Biking Routes
LeMond Loop
Start in Reno, Carson City or Incline village. The rout takes Geiger Grade (SR 341) to Virginia City, HWY 50 into Carson City and up Spooner Summit, HWY 28 to incline village and Mt. Rose Highway (SR 431) up Mt. Rose Pass and back down into Reno. This ride was Greg LeMond’s regular training ride when he lived in Reno. It is about 70 miles and should take a fit rider 4 to 6 hours. It has some great views and is a spectacular and strenuous ride as it covers three passes and descends 3 to 4 thousand feet each time.
Lake Tahoe Loop
This ride is the route taken by the America’s Mosk Beauticul Bike Ride in June (http://www.bikethewest.com/AMBBR.html). It circumnavigates Lake Tahoe on HWY 50, 89 and 28. From wherever you are on the lake, just hit the street and start pedaling. The route is about 70 Miles and has lots of climbing, but plenty of bail out points, pit-stops and views.
Distance: about 70
Elevation: lots
Death Ride
If you’re really up for an awesome road ride, try the Death Ride in July. http://www.deathride.com/course.html. The ride starts in the Carson Valley below Tahoe, but climbes 3 Sierra Passes; two of them TWICE! Climb Monitor, Ebets,and Carson Passes either in the fully supported Death Ride, or challenge yourself on your own. The ride is 129 miles, with over 15,000 feet of climbing.
Distance: 129
Elevation Gain: 15,000 feet
Tahoe Sierra Century
This epic road ride takes place in September, but the route includes some popular local rides. Start in Truckee, Northstar, Kings Beach, Donner Lake or Tahoe City. It follows HWY 89 from Tahoe City to Truckee, Donner Summit Road out and back to Cicso Grove, Ski Slope Way around Truckee to HWY 89, to HWY 267 past Northstar Resort over Brockway, and Back to Tahoe City past Kings Beach along the shore of Lake Tahoe.
Distance: 100 miles
Elevation gain: 6800 feet
Ride Time: 5 to 8 hours
Lake Tahoe Biking Events
Nevada’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride: June (http://www.bikethewest.com/)
Death Ride: July (http://www.deathride.com/)
Tahoe Sierra Century: september (http://www.tahoesierracentury.com)
Tour De Nez: June (http://tourdenez.com/)
Tour de Tahoe: September (http://www.bikethewest.com/)
Great Lake Tahoe Bike Race: September (http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/Bike.html)
Lake Tahoe Rentals
If you forgot your bike, or if you just want to rent a cruiser to zip between your hotel and locak shops, casinos and restaurante, a rental bike can be had all around the lake. From Cruisers to high performance Full Suspension Mountain and Road bikes, hit one of these shops for rentals.
Tahoe Bike & Ski
(530) 546-7437
8499 North Lake Blvd., (next to Taco Bell) Kings Beach
Mountain Bike Rentals, Sales parts, clothing, helmets, gloves, guidebooks, maps rafts, inflatables and swimwear
The Back Country
(888) 625-8444 (Tahoe City), (530) 582-0909 (Truckee)
255 No. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City or 11429 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee
Bike Rentals, Suspension Demos, Hybrids, Tandems, Baby Joggers, Child Trailers & Repairs
Cyclepaths Mountain Bike Adventures
(530) 582-1890
10990 Donner Pass Road Truckee
Sales - Service - Rentals - Parts & Accessories
Guided Off Road Tours - Day Tours - Adventure Camps
BMX - Suspension Demos - Tandems - Kids Bikes - Trailers - Trail Maps - Guide Books
Granite Chief All Mountain Shop
(530) 583-2832, Squaw Valley or (530) 587-2809, Truckee
Squaw Valley Road, Squaw Valley or 11368 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
Full Service Bike Shop - Rentals (Schwinn, LiteSpeed, Cannondale) - Repairs
Olympic Bike Shop
(530) 581-2500
620 No. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
SALES, SERVICE, RENTALS & DEMOS
State of the Art Demos and Rentals - Everything for ON and OFF Road - A Large Assortment of Guide Books and Maps - Repairs
Paco’s Bike & Ski
(530) 587-5561
11200 Donner Pass Road (Gateway/Safeway Center), Truckee
Rentals - Sales - Repairs - Parts & Accessories
Specialized - Trek - GT - Yakima
Tahoe Adventure Company
(866) 830-6125
Serving Lake Tahoe
Mountain Bike Camps, mountain biking and cycling, multi-sport adventure and team building.
Village Bicycles / Village Ski Loft
(775) 831-3537
800 Tahoe Blvd. (corner of Northwood), Incline Village
Mountain Bikes
Sales - Service - Rentals - Casual Wear - Accessories
Newly Expanded
South Shore Lake Tahoe
Anderson’s Bicycle Rental
(530) 541-0500
645 Emerald Bay Road (Hwy 89 at 13th St.), South Lake Tahoe
All models all sizes, we buy bikes NEW each season, located next to U.S. Forest Service bike trail, (rentals only)
Camp Richardson Outdoor Sports Center
(530) 542-6584
1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe
100 Rental Bikes in Stock - Repairs - Maps & Guide Books - Parts & Accessories
located right off paved city bike trail
Clock’s Cyclery
(530) 544-2453
1219 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe
Specializing in Repairs - Rentals - Parts & Accessories
Sports Ltd.
(530) 542-4000 (Crescent V Shopping Center) 4008 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
(530) 544-2284 (South Y Shopping Center) 1032 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe
Sales - Service/Repairs - Rentals - Equipment - Clothing - Accessories
BICYCLES: road & mountain bikes, BMX and classic cruiser
Lakeview Sports
(530) 544-0183
3131 Harrison Ave., South Lake Tahoe
Free Trail Maps, Full Suspension, Mtn Bikes, Tandems, Kid’s Bikes, Trailers, Rentals, Sales & Repairs
West Shore Lake Tahoe
Cyclepaths Mountain Bike Adventures
(530) 581-1171
2 ml So. of Tahoe City “Y” on Hwy 89, Tahoe City
Sales - Service - Rentals - Parts & Accessories
Guided Off Road Tours - Day Tours - Adventure Camps
BMX - Suspension Demos - Tandems - Kids Bikes - Trailers - Trail Maps - Guide Books
Enviro-Rents Sports
(530) 546-2780, Tahoe Vista
Mountain Bikes and Sea Kayak Rentals, Tours, Lessons, Sales, Service
