OK, . . . looks like I get the dubious distinction of being the defacto appointee for this since I opened my big mouth about being in the Lake Tahoe area this past week, so here's what I found out.
First, to arouse interest, here are a couple pictures.
From Hwy 50 leading up to Spooner Pass from the south.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/DSCN1231s.jpg
From the bike path in South Lake near State Line.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/DSCN1226s.jpg
If that looks inviting, here's the reality check. Hwy 89 from the junction with Hwy 50 to north of Incline Village on the east shore of the lake is 2 lane hwy. Most of it has little or no shoulder and a moderate amount of 50 mph traffic which increases with summer months.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/DSCN1234s.jpg
In and around the several resort communities there are bike lanes, and in the larger communities like South Lake, there are dedicated paved bike paths, however, these are high use ped areas and tend to wind around somewhat, so many may not be practical for use.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/DSCN1225s.jpg
And here are a few links to web sites for cycling activities at Lake Tahoe.
Bike paths at Tahoe.
http://www.tahoesbest.com/Biking/bikepath.htm
http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/plan_your_trip/outdoors/land_adventures/biking/bike_paths/
http://www.tahoevacationguide.com/Activities/biking.html
Lake Tahoe 72 Mile Bike Race.
http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/Bike
And a link to Bike The Wests registration for the September Big Blue ride for anyone so inclined, (the June Ride is booked) along with their elev. profile.
http://www.bikethewest.com/tourdetahoe.html
http://www.bikethewest.com/Art/AMBBR-Elev.jpg
I only covered about 35 miles on the east side of the lake from below State Line to north of Kings Beach. There may be a greater percentage of dedicated paths and viable bike lanes on the west shoreline in that it is in California. A beautiful place for a potential ride, but a reasonably large group would probably be advantageous from the stand point that more people would have greater visability from a traffic perspective given the narrow roadways, lack of viable bike lanes between communities, and many curves through hilly terrain.
Please provide any helpful input, especially if you have done the Bike Big Blue ride, or have experience with any of the Lake Tahoe area.
I have ridden around the lake several times, both solo and with friends. The traffic sucks on the north side and the 2-lane highway is a little hairy, then more sucky traffic around the casinos. Still, it's worth doing at least once. To me, the best cycling there is the mountain biking, it's great.
merider1
03-12-07, 08:19 AM
I would be very interested, Jean! What dates are you considering? Is it better there in the summer? Also, if we get enough interest, I'm happy to help coordinate (look for hotel rates, etc.). Great idea!!!! :D
tprevost
03-12-07, 08:28 AM
I'd be very interested as well... :D
nygirl777
03-12-07, 09:06 AM
I'm interested -- sign me up too.
VMC
03-12-07, 09:06 AM
I'd be very interested as well...
Indolent58
03-12-07, 09:09 AM
I would be interested. I agree that the road is not the best in spots but it would be a beautiful ride.
nesdog
03-12-07, 09:26 AM
We spent several days in Tahoe last June staying near South Shore.
I hated the roads....I did routes in the area early mornings, up to Heavenly, out towards the airport, etc. I found so much bad pavement that it almost wasn't worth the trouble. Huge ruts, potholes, uggh. Earlier in the week, we had been in Mammoth and I enjoyed it so much more.
There is a great family friendly bikepath that starts out at the corner of the Lake (south side) and runs about 5 or 6 miles towards Emerald Bay. Our 12 year old really liked it. You can stop at a cool estate, streams, etc.
I also agree that the main road around the lake, especially from South Side to Incline could be dicey. Very narrow in spots, no shoulder, lots of rocks that come down.
We expect to spend several days there again just as school ends this year and plan on riding the North/West shore where there are other bike trails.
Sheldon
I am The Edge
03-12-07, 12:09 PM
i might be interested.
JustMe
03-12-07, 08:39 PM
Looking at the Western States Ride Calendar (http://www.bbcnet.com/ridecalendar/ridelistdate.asp) in an effort to avoid conflicts with organized rides that some may want to participate in, how would the weekends of July 21 or 28th, or the weekends of August 11th or 25th be? 3 Harbors is July 7th, the Death Ride and Unknown Coast rides are July 14th, Cool Breeze is Aug 18th, and I would kind of like to do the Desperado Dual in Utah the weekend of August 4th, but nothing carved in stone at present.
Looking at the weather (http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0584?from=search) for July and August, it looks like mid to hi 70s. Beats the heat in the SFV.:D
BigSean
03-12-07, 09:07 PM
Id be interested. And I may suggest staying out at Squaw Valley. Everything you need is there for the night life thing and no driving required. The condos are great, hot tubs, pools and so on.Mt biking and road biking right from the resort. LAst year we were there during a big bicycle rally in Truckee. There are many great roads in the area besides just the ride around the lake. Just something to consider, either way Im interested.:D
Tiffanie
03-12-07, 09:09 PM
I'm interested!!!! :D :D :D
shakeNbake
03-12-07, 09:15 PM
I'm interested, pending more details of course. I don't have a car, so I'll see how the transportation pans out.
And I'm slow. I mean slow, I get passed by little girls on barbie bikes all the time.
JustMe
03-12-07, 09:58 PM
I'm interested, pending more details of course. I don't have a car, so I'll see how the transportation pans out.
And I'm slow. I mean slow, I get passed by little girls on barbie bikes all the time.
We should be able to work something out for your transportation without making you ride all the way there.:D :D
JustMe
03-12-07, 10:01 PM
Id be interested. And I may suggest staying out at Squaw Valley. Everything you need is there for the night life thing and no driving required. The condos are great, hot tubs, pools and so on.Mt biking and road biking right from the resort. LAst year we were there during a big bicycle rally in Truckee. There are many great roads in the area besides just the ride around the lake. Just something to consider, either way Im interested.:D
Thanx for the insight. I don't know if the casino action is an attraction to some, or the quiet allure of alpine meadows and a star filled sky. Either way there are a lot of options, so speak up everyone. And let me know your preference on dates.
tprevost
03-12-07, 10:10 PM
Thanx for the insight. I don't know if the casino action is an attraction to some, or the quiet allure of alpine meadows and a star filled sky. Either way there are a lot of options, so speak up everyone. And let me know your preference on dates.
as long as its a weekend that I have childcare, I'm in.... however, I won't know until the month before so I'll try to work it out as long as it isn't July 7, 14, 21st....
Tiffanie
03-12-07, 10:11 PM
...or the quiet allure of alpine meadows and a star filled sky.
Yep... that'll work for me. :D
No date suggestions though. I'll just have to wait and see what works for most and hope I can make it. :)
JustMe
03-12-07, 11:49 PM
I would be very interested, Jean! What dates are you considering? Is it better there in the summer? Also, if we get enough interest, I'm happy to help coordinate (look for hotel rates, etc.). Great idea!!!! :D
Thanx Mary. And BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY (belated).
big john
03-13-07, 07:43 AM
There are several camping options in the area. The big campground at South Lake Tahoe is convenient and usually not full, but it is kind of a zoo and right on the road. You can walk to the lake and stores. There are 2 campgrounds on the west side of the lake which are nice, but they are hard to get a spot in and involve driving to get anywhere. We stayed at Fallen Leaf Lake the last couple times I was there. It's off the highway, but not far, and you can swim in Fallen Leaf Lake after your ride,(it's a little cold). The drawback is no showers, we used solar showers.
If you guys go and you don't take mountain bikes, there are places to rent them, and I think it's some of the best mountain biking anywhere. Ask about the Flume trail, off Spooner Lake Park.
BTW, it's a 10 hour drive from L.A.
JustMe
03-20-07, 05:47 AM
So did I see somewhere that someone on the interested, or not so interested but debating, lists indicated that July 21st was NOT doable? Are the 2 August dates, that is the 11th or 25th, best for everyone that's expressed interest so far?
merider1
03-20-07, 07:50 AM
So did I see somewhere that someone on the interested, or not so interested but debating, lists indicated that July 21st was NOT doable? Are the 2 August dates, that is the 11th or 25th, best for everyone that's expressed interest so far?
Either date in August looks good for me and I don't see any rides conflicting (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I can't help with the camping part (I don't know squat), but I'll check the rates for surrounding hotels and get a list to you so those interested can start planning. I've never been to Lake Tahoe and can't wait to see it and ride there. :)
I am The Edge
03-20-07, 09:40 AM
i'll hotel it....i'm not up for camping anymore.
tprevost
03-20-07, 09:48 AM
I'll try to work with whatever dates you all come up with.... I'll also hotel it (I need my showers!) :p
JustMe
03-20-07, 10:30 AM
Would anyone be interested in staying somewhere that isn't in the Tahoe Lake basin but isn't far driving wise, and is highly recommended like this joint (http://www.davidwalleys.com/main.html)? This is near a little community of historic interest in the Carson Valley called Genoa which is near Kingsbury Grade.
For anyone that wants to do some climbing, Kingsbury grade provides about 9 miles of 8-10% grade with a decent bike lane, pullouts and spectacular views.
isn't lake tahoe technically norcal?
Technically, it depends on which side of the lake your on.:D
JustMe
06-20-07, 06:11 PM
OK, I'll BUMP this back to the front since August is approaching and there seems to be revived interest from a parallel thread.
merider1
06-20-07, 06:29 PM
For some reason when I read the title of this thread, I thought "Sure, I like BLTs" but then I realize what you are talking about. :p I'm still interested, but I've got to figure things out. There is going home at the beginning of July, Vegas at the end and then LT in August. I'm not made of money or time! So, somewhere I'm going to have to pass on something! :(
spingineer
06-20-07, 07:06 PM
I'm definitely interested in this. It will definitely be a shorter drive for me. Count me in.
And hope there will be some BLT's to eat there ... :D
AquaTerror
06-20-07, 07:14 PM
If you guys go and you don't take mountain bikes, there are places to rent them, and I think it's some of the best mountain biking anywhere. Ask about the Flume trail, off Spooner Lake Park.
BTW, it's a 10 hour drive from L.A.
I was told by one of the locals on the south shore who road rides that the locals typically put away their road bikes in July & Aug. & mountain bike because there are way too many tourists on the road in July-Aug. If you want to ride road, maybe Sean's suggestion of staying around Squaw Valley might make sense. Might be a bit quieter touristwise up there - ? I haven't stayed in the Squaw area in the summer so don't have first hand experience. Or as John said, ride dirt :) It took Bruce & me 8 hours to drive to the south shore from Valley Village, including a lunch stop. We take 395 & get to S. Lake Tahoe via Kingsbury grade.
nygirl777
06-20-07, 07:35 PM
I'm in except for the first week of August - Desperado Dual and the 3rd week - Cool breeze. Other than that we're available ( me and travis ) Mary you can catch a ride with us if you like. I'm sure the Estrogen Posse is down as well and you can share a room.
Tiffanie
06-20-07, 07:49 PM
Ohhhhhhh the Lake Tahoe thread is alive again! :D I hope the date that is decided on ends up working for me. :o
JustMe
06-20-07, 08:19 PM
How does Aug. 25 work for those interested?
JustMe
06-20-07, 08:21 PM
For some reason when I read the title of this thread, I thought "Sure, I like BLTs" but then I realize what you are talking about. :p I'm still interested, but I've got to figure things out. There is going home at the beginning of July, Vegas at the end and then LT in August. I'm not made of money or time! So, somewhere I'm going to have to pass on something! :(
By "LT", is that the Lighthouse Tour Mary?
spingineer
06-20-07, 09:01 PM
How does Aug. 25 work for those interested?
I'm in.
nygirl777
06-20-07, 09:25 PM
Me + Travis = IN
nygirl777
06-26-07, 01:11 PM
Bumpity Bump
Kar3368
06-26-07, 01:31 PM
I am assuming the huge wild fire in Lake Tahoe right now is not near the area you are speaking of??
BigSean
06-26-07, 01:37 PM
I am assuming the huge wild fire in Lake Tahoe right now is not near the area you are speaking of??
Actually it kinda is. The fire is near South Lake Tahoe, which I think was mentioned in the plans as a starting area.
nygirl777
06-26-07, 01:40 PM
uh yeah but thats like 2 months away.
BigSean
06-26-07, 01:40 PM
uh yeah but thats like a month away.
Actually its 2 months.:p Are you trying to get a head start?:p
nygirl777
06-26-07, 01:41 PM
Actually its 2 months.:p Are you trying to get a head start?:p
yeah thats what i said 2 months :p
BigSean
06-26-07, 02:07 PM
I am assuming the huge wild fire in Lake Tahoe right now is not near the area you are speaking of??
You can read about it in this thread. Alot of these guys either live there or have second homes, and most 'had' second homes. Very tragic and sad. There are also maps of the area on fire, not good at all.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=312188
JustMe
06-26-07, 02:39 PM
A few years back there was a fire that raged for several days on the west slope. It looks like weather conditions will be more conducive to getting this one under control, but unfortunately at considrable property loss.
Edit: The area of the fire and direction it is moving.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/imspec/Lake%20Tahoe%20bike%20rt/SoLakeTahoemap.jpg
JustMe
06-27-07, 09:04 PM
Since merider1 was confusing the thread title with cullinary fair, it probaby needs a more descriptive title, so I'm going to start a new thread for August 25th Lake Tahoe now that a date has been established.
JustMe
07-23-07, 10:24 PM
BUMP
If there are enough of us that really want to do this it may behoove us to look for a group deal on lodging, . . . unless everyone wants to fend for themselves?
JustMe
08-17-07, 10:43 AM
OFFICIALLY CANCELLED FOR LACK OF INTEREST!
merider1
08-17-07, 10:55 AM
:( I'm so sorry, as I originally showed interest. I'm just saving up $ for the new car (assuming I get it!). Maybe next year. But thank you for trying to organize. :o:)
JustMe
08-17-07, 12:53 PM
:( I'm so sorry, as I originally showed interest. I'm just saving up $ for the new car (assuming I get it!). Maybe next year. But thank you for trying to organize. :o:)
No need to be sorry Mary. I know from your other posts your trying to save some money, but you're not alone. A number of people that initially expressed interest have got other activities going during that time frame, so there's no problem. I just wanted anyone who may have had an expectation of this activity happening to know there is nothing definitely planned. I still need to be in Tahoe that weekend to take care of some other things that are scheduled, so if anyone wants to do Kingsbury Grade, or Foothill Rd. from Minden to Carson & back, PM me.