Circling Lake Tahoe



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Yuval Nov

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Me and a couple of friends are thinking of circling Lake Tahoe (California + Nevada) on mountain
bikes. Does anybody have suggestions, tips or any useful information?

Thanks a lot,

Yuval [email protected]
 
Yeah, stop at the casinos :)

Yuval Nov wrote:
>
> Me and a couple of friends are thinking of circling Lake Tahoe (California + Nevada) on mountain
> bikes. Does anybody have suggestions, tips or any useful information?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Yuval [email protected]
 
[email protected] (Yuval Nov) wrote in news:4d702cc3.0306041029.3d5ec963 @posting.google.com:

> Me and a couple of friends are thinking of circling Lake Tahoe (California + Nevada) on mountain
> bikes. Does anybody have suggestions, tips or any useful information?

There is a new Tahoe Rim Trail that circles rim above the lake. Much of the California side is
closed to bicycles, though. Part of the Nevada side is only open to bicycles every other day.
 
[email protected] (Yuval Nov) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Me and a couple of friends are thinking of circling Lake Tahoe (California + Nevada) on mountain
> bikes. Does anybody have suggestions, tips or any useful information?
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Yuval [email protected]

Do you want to travel on the roads, or use off-road trails? I can write about the roads, which I
know well (I bike, I ski, the lake is my playground); the loop around the lake is about 73 miles
with two substantial and a few minor climbs. I recommend avoiding the weekend if at all possible,
and be extra careful near Emerald Bay, due to the tourist traffic.

Looping the lake clockwise has a long steady climb of about 800 feet starting 2 miles south of
Incline up to Spooner Lake, followed by a rapid descent down 50 (watch out for the drains that stick
out into the middle of the right lane). The other climb, about 600 feet, is from Camp Richardson up
to Emerald Point, followed by a downhill into Tahoma. (In case you're acrophobic, one of my friends
thinks that the switchback up to Inspiration Point is intimidating since there are no guardrails and
not much shoulder.)

There are smaller climbs, one between King's Beach and Incline (Brokaw Summit) and one over Dollar
Point just north of Tahoe City, and some rollers between Zephyr Cove and Stateline. Take a look at
http://www.tahoesbest.com/Biking/bikeroad.htm for some more details on the lake loop.

Tahoe is a great ride for several reasons; the view is great, the climbs are fun but not too bad,
and you're never really far from supplies. Of course, it doesn't hurt to come prepared!

Another nice road ride is the loop from King's Beach to Truckee and back to Tahoe City; although
the descent into the Martis Valley is a bit hair-raising (for me). There's also a nice ride south
out of South Lake Tahoe on 89 over Luther Pass to the junction with 88; you can continue out to
Kirkwood if you want to climb two major passes twice, or loop to the East as on Mike Jacoubowsky's
page http://www.chainreaction.com/kingsbury.htm However, this quickly leaves civilization, so be
prepared for that.

If you're on mountain bikes, the Flume Trail is highly regarded; it's on my list for this summer
along with a ride up Mt. Rose highway. http://www.theflumetrail.com/ has some details.

For places to stay, South Lake has the most hotels/motels and nightlife, but I much prefer Tahoe
City or North Shore.

--Brent
 
One strong recommendation: do not use the roadside bike paths, which have blind approaches to many
driveway and road crossings, unless you are willing to become bumper meat.

-Les Earnest

Yuval Nov wrote:
> Me and a couple of friends are thinking of circling Lake Tahoe (California + Nevada) on mountain
> bikes. Does anybody have suggestions, tips or any useful information?
 
Les Earnest wrote:
> One strong recommendation: do not use the roadside bike paths, which have blind approaches to many
> driveway and road crossings, unless you are willing to become bumper meat.

I'll second that. I did some miles along the south shore, and first took the 'dedicated bike path'.
- It has too many stop signs at every road it crosses.
- not as smoothly paved as the roads
- not much of a use except for Sunday rides with kids :)

Stay on the road. But watch out for the traffic. Most of them
- are huge SUVs
- always in a hurry
- and sport 'Keep Tahoe Blue (or Green)' bumber sticker. I have nothing against SUVs, but
this bumber sticker definitly struck me as an irony!

I am planning on doing the lake loop trip soon, so I'd love to hear your experience.

./Sujee
--
www.sujee.net email : [email protected]
 
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