Southern California - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride - Ride Report & Pics

OK, Asia (and anyone else who would like to read it) ... here it is, my Tahoe ride
report, albeit quite late.

Bruce and I rode America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Tahoe on June 3. They
have a 35-mile ride, a 72-mile around-the-lake ride, and a century which adds an
up and back to Truckee. Perfect weather! There is good news and bad news
about this ride. First the bad news. I had ridden the century last year and knew
what to expect. This ride is a HUGE Team in Training event. There are a total
of 3,000 riders, and about 2,000 are Team in Training riders. It's a GREAT
cause, HUGE fund-raiser, and their comradarie is amazing and fun to be around, but
at the risk of sounding negative there is a very large number of newbies riding
their first 72-mile ride or first century. You can imagine what happens when you
have that many newbies riding in very large packs over mountain roads ... carnage.
And I mean LARGE packs, they take up the whole lane and it's very difficult
to get around them. I saw so many accidents last year because riders didn't hold
their lines. I was broadsided at one point (not bumped but full-force broadsided).
Fortunately we hit shoulders, didn't touch wheels & I stayed upright. The good news
is the SAG support and food are excellent and you can't get better scenery anywhere.
It's a drop-dead gorgeous and FUN ride!

This was Bruce's first time riding around the lake, and also his first 72-mile
ride, and I rode it with him. He did great! To avoid the accidents, we left at
5:30 a.m., which is 30 minutes before the official ride start. It was FREEZING
the first hour, my fingers were numb, but so worth it and the plan worked really
well. Because we left so early, we arrived at the 1st three rest stops early,
when they were opening, and we had an early lunch at rest stop #3. When
riders caught up to us they were fast & experienced riders. The newbies were
still behind us.

I think pictures will show more than I can describe. I'm attaching a link to
my Tahoe photo album. The photos also include a couple of other rides we did that
week before the ride around the lake so you'll see more of the area, including the
bike path to Truckee, which is part of the century ride.

I can highly recommend this ride, however I also highly recommend that you leave
at 5:30 a.m.. Here's the link:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/387AD161BE17B9D

You can click on the top left thumbnail & scroll through larger views with captions
at the bottom of most pics.

Great report Christy and BEAUTIFUL pics!!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Congrats to Bruce on his first 72 miler.....

Karen

Great report, Christy! The pics are gorgeous (great shots of you and Bruce in there and the scenery is just stunning). I've wanted to do this ride for the past two years but never get it together to register in time. Thanks for sharing! :)

Hi Karen & ME,
Glad you enjoyed it. That ride does sell out, so if you want to ride it next year, ME, you need to sign up early. Bruce & I want to do a different ride in Tahoe next year: http://www.tahoesierracentury.com/ It looks like a lot of fun, although I don't know anyone who has ridden so haven't heard any reports one way or another. Unfortunately, I can't take more time off work to ride it this year :(

I forgot to ask where you stayed, or maybe you told me? You used to be able to get cabins cheap up there. Is that still true?

I forgot to ask where you stayed, or maybe you told me? You used to be able to get cabins cheap up there. Is that still true?

We stay at the Marriott on the South Shore, we have a timeshare there. Not too far from Womacks!! :D The ride around the lake starts at the Horizon about a 1/2 mile from the Marriott.

The ride we want to do next year in Sept. which goes to Truckee, Donner, etc., we're going to try to stay somewhere at Squaw Valley as that's where that ride starts & ends. A few years ago I did a dirt camp at Northstar and we got a 1 BR cabin right on the trail for around $130. It was great.

Great report thanks for sharing the info.
-John

great pix and report christy...
and you too look so cute together in that last picture!!

Way to go Christy and Bruce. Is Bruce next in line for a "V"?:D

Way to go Christy and Bruce. Is Bruce next in line for a "V"?:D

He's getting there ... Bruce is enjoying going Vertical more & more :D

Thank you for the wonderful report and pics!!!! I definately need to do this ride sometime :p ... and thanks for the tip about the start time!!! ;)

[QUOTE=AquaTerror]OK, Asia (and anyone else who would like to read it) ... here it is, my Tahoe ride
report, albeit quite late.QUOTE]

I'm soooo glad you posted a AMBBR ride report. I also participated in this ride, but I slacked off and didn't submit a ride report. You summed it up beautifully!

It's true, the morning started out very chilly - in fact, downright cold. Thank goodness that first hill came after only 9 miles, so I warmed up nicely after that. I don't think I've been on any rides so far this year with such panoramic views. Between the snow-capped peaks, the tall green pines and the alpine flowers I was in heaven. I must admit that I spent waaaay too much time at that first rest stop taking pictures. :D

This is a gorgeous ride and a very doable century for first-timers. It sounds like Bruce had a fantastic time with you on this ride - congrats to him for completing the 72 miles! It seemed like most of the riders were wearing Team in Training jerseys to support the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was fun to see the groups from across the country wearing their "helmet art" identifying their state. (pipe cleaner tornados for Oklahoma, Hershey's kisses for Pennsylvania, etc.) Being from Wisconsin myself, I immediately spotted the group with the mini foam cheese wedges attached to the tops of their helmets!

My good friend, Mark, flew out from Wisconsin to ride with me and we had a blast. I'm sure he won't mind me saying that he's a cancer survivor, so this ride had a personal connection for him. Since neither of us were part of a Team in Training group, we decided to be our own 2-person team and wore matching Pirate jerseys. We got a lot of "Argh" and "Ahoy, Captain Jack" references from other riders along the way. Good times.

The only drawback to the ride that I found was the lack of a decent shoulder to ride on. It definitely got dicey at some points with cars trying to pass all of the riders. I agree with your suggestion of starting early to get ahead of the inexperienced riders. I had such a good time on this ride that I've already marked it on my calendar for next year! If anyone else decides to ride next year, look for the Pirate jerseys! Argh.

Here are some of my pics from the ride. Enjoy!

riders climbing 1st hil
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/1stclimb.jpg

view to first rest stop
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/1streststop.jpg

Lara at overlook
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/Laraoverlook.jpg

Mark at overlook
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/Markoverlook.jpg

gorgeous view
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/gorgeous.jpg

Truckee bike path
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/bikepath.jpg

route after lunch
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/afterlunch.jpg

Lara & Mark at end of ride
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/LaraMarkafterride.jpg

Thanks for the BEAUTIFUL photos & great ride report! I know what you mean about taking too long to take photos. There are sooooo many photo ops and just when you think you took the perfect shot, you ride around another corner and see something better. :p I have some friends who are big pirate fans. I know that they would love to buy the jerseys you were wearing. Where did you get them?

Thanks Christy and Lara - Great pictures and reports. I am not going to miss this one next year. Also congrats to Bruce on making the big 7-2 miler :) It was probably a piece of cake for him since I last saw him cranking up GMR.

I clicked send too soon. I also wanted to say how great it was to learn that your friend, Mark, did this ride as a cancer survivor. I love to hear cancer survivor success stories. A HUGE congratulations to him!!

Great pics. The only problem is, this ride is the same weekend as Eastern Sierra (which I wasn't able to make either).

Hello out there...I'm trying not to be a lurker. Christy and I had a great time at Tahoe. It's good to
arrive a week early, so you can enjoy other rides in the area, and aclimate to the altitude. I'am coming
back from a case of shingles last year, so am getting alot stronger again, thanks to christy, my
unnoficial trainer. More Later.............Bruce Bonnett

Hello out there...I'm trying not to be a lurker. Christy and I had a great time at Tahoe. It's good to
arrive a week early, so you can enjoy other rides in the area, and aclimate to the altitude. I'am coming
back from a case of shingles last year, so am getting alot stronger again, thanks to christy, my
unnoficial trainer. More Later.............Bruce Bonnett

Hey, Bruce. :) Welcome! You are certainly no lurker! Congrats on the ride. I've gone back to look at the photos again. I definitely have to get there to ride in my lifetime!

Looks like a great ride... I tried to ride around the lake a couple months ago... coming from Sea Level to 6500+ ft. nearly killed me.. I made it, almost to Emerald Bay, befoe I tured around,a nd headed back... no oxygen kinda sucks!

We stay at the Marriott on the South Shore, we have a timeshare there. Not too far from Womacks!! :D The ride around the lake starts at the Horizon about a 1/2 mile from the Marriott.

The ride we want to do next year in Sept. which goes to Truckee, Donner, etc., we're going to try to stay somewhere at Squaw Valley as that's where that ride starts & ends. A few years ago I did a dirt camp at Northstar and we got a 1 BR cabin right on the trail for around $130. It was great.


Last year I rented a condo at the Squaw Valley Village and it was $179, and very nice. Ill be doing that again.:D

Last year I rented a condo at the Squaw Valley Village and it was $179, and very nice. Ill be doing that again.:D

Do you remember which complex you rented in? I know that there are different ones up there.
Thanks,

god I miss California.
Lived there from 1973 after my discharge from the Marine Corps until 1994 and moved to he!!, Texas.
What a mistake!

god I miss California.
Lived there from 1973 after my discharge from the Marine Corps until 1994 and moved to he!!, Texas.
What a mistake!

Come on back Hammer

Come on back Hammer


where in Ventura do you live?
I lived in Simi VA for 13 years then we moved to Moorpark where i had a house built, lived there for another 8-9n yrs.

I really miss the hills/climbs and all around weather. My favorite use to be box canyon and towards Ojai then T.O hiddenhills/mullholl.- hwy coast route and then back to Moorpark. Oh yea forgot the backside by Newberry park as it drops into Camarrilio

Yea I keep thinking about it. The problem is now we have three granchildren here in Texas very close by
and be quite honest they are the reason I don't go back.
4 yrs years ago I had a job offer from a Company that I had left, they wanted me to come back and be their Sales Manager, and then in a years time move up to V.P of sales they were quite persistent but I passed on it only becuase I did not want to up-root the family again.

I am an old guy now 55 so opportunities like above do not happen as often anymore. Our eldest son lives in Moorpark Ca. where we moved from, but who knows I still stay in contact with some major players out their in the industry I am in and they still ask if I am avaliable. It would be nice maybe...........soon.

where in Ventura do you live?
I lived in Simi VA for 13 years then we moved to Moorpark where i had a house built, lived there for another 8-9n yrs.

I really miss the hills/climbs and all around weather. My favorite use to be box canyon and towards Ojai then T.O hiddenhills/mullholl.- hwy coast route and then back to Moorpark. Oh yea forgot the backside by Newberry park as it drops into Camarrilio

Yea I keep thinking about it. The problem is now we have three granchildren here in Texas very close by
and be quite honest they are the reason I don't go back.
4 yrs years ago I had a job offer from a Company that I had left, they wanted me to come back and be their Sales Manager, and then in a years time move up to V.P of sales they were quite persistent but I passed on it only becuase I did not want to up-root the family again.

I am an old guy now 55 so opportunities like above do not happen as often anymore. Our eldest son lives in Moorpark Ca. where we moved from, but who knows I still stay in contact with some major players out their in the industry I am in and they still ask if I am avaliable. It would be nice maybe...........soon.

I live in Moorpark. I enjoy all the hills around here as well. If you visit, let's hook up for a ride!!

And 55 aint so old, I am very close behind (51 next week so :p )

My report is late too, a few BF members on the Baldy ride this past weekend asked why I hadn't posted a ride report. So here is my ride report.

I was there with my wife, she is a mentor for Team in Training, this was her second century. Since she was not raising funds this time, we had to find our own accomodations. This turned out great we rented a 6 bedroom house on Trout Creek about 2.5 miles from the start with some other TnT mentors & coaches.

Rode to the start from the house we were staying, and as everyone else has said, it was cold. Started with my wife's group at 6:15, then after a few blocks I took off. Her group is a slower group and I needed to ride faster. Besides, I wanted to scout a good location on the switchbacks to take pictures as her group of riders came by. Fingers were very cold, (not as cold as the morning of the Mulholland Challenge), I passed lots of TnT people on the way to the switchbacks. The switchbacks did a great job of warming everyone up. Waited about 45 minutes for her group to get to the last switchback before the top. If you saw a grey haired guy wearing a Death Ride jersey there, that was me.

After taking their pictures I was off again, only stopped at the rest stops long enough to top of the water, and grab a few things to eat. The road was great and the traffic was not all that bad. shortstuff commented about the shoulder, actually the shoulder was wider than a lot of the shoulder's here in so cal. The problem with the shoulder's were usually the Team in Training people would ride single file like they are suppose to, but just inside the white line, while they still had 4-7 feet of shoulder to the right of them. You could say rider on your left, but after passing so many Team in Training people you would lose your voice by the end of the ride.

Other comments about the ride, while this is labeled as a flat ride, and most of it is, the section at the switchbacks and the sections of the climb to summit of Spooner, slowed down a lot of people and put them in distress. Total altitude gain for the ride was approxmiately 4,000 ft. For those of us that ride the canyons and mountains here in So Cal, it won't be a problem. As for the difficulty of the ride, I would rate it more difficult than Cool Breeze and Palm Springs, but easier than Cruisin the Conejo.

As everyone has said the scenery was great, the weather was great, the roads were great, all the people were great. SAG stops were great. I plan on doing this ride many times, the ride experience would be enhanced by starting early, but if you start later, its fun passing all the Team in Training groups, and seeing where they are from and checking out their tokens on top of their helmets.

PS. I went to the Team in Training banquets/meal functions. This really is a great organization, to date since the late 80's, Team in Training has raised almost $750,000,000 for research for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this ride alone raised in excess of $8,000,000 dollars for the society. It is a great way to introduce someone to cycling, especially one's spouse.

Nice report - Thanks for posting it. Let me know if/when you plan on going back out there. My husband and I are game.

Truckee bike path
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb260/wi_girl/AMBBR%20Tahoe%206-2-07/bikepath.jpg

Holy narrow bike path. I hope they don't use that as an out and back route! Nice scenery though.

..edited...
PS. I went to the Team in Training banquets/meal functions. This really is a great organization, to date since the late 80's, Team in Training has raised almost $750,000,000 for research for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this ride alone raised in excess of $8,000,000 dollars for the society. It is a great way to introduce someone to cycling, especially one's spouse.

+1 When I rode Solvang with Tnt this year, our fast group finished in 5:50 total time and our slow group finished in 12:30 total time. There's a pace for everyone.


Thanks for the reports everyone, looks like a great ride. I assumed it would be a harder ride because it's in the mountains.

I live in Moorpark. I enjoy all the hills around here as well. If you visit, let's hook up for a ride!!

And 55 aint so old, I am very close behind (51 next week so :p )


Outstanding thanks!

We are/were planning to come out somewhere in July to see our new grandson about 4 weeks old now.
If that happens now or in the near future I will find you through b/f.

It would be nice to just ride some of the old routes I use to take.
I did forget Norweigen grade going into T.O that was always a ballbuster.
When I first started riding in 1978-79 I lived off of Kuhener Dr.,and L.A. ave and use to go out with the St Cair Velo club from L.A., they would always meet on my corner.
I always got dropped on Norweigen grade, took me two yrs/seasons to stay with the big guns. but persistence pays off.

I appreciate the invite that would be real nice.
Happy Birthday!

I live in Moorpark. I enjoy all the hills around here as well. If you visit, let's hook up for a ride!!

And 55 aint so old, I am very close behind (51 next week so :p )
When is your birthday??

[QUOTE=scvroadie] <....the Team in Training people would ride single file like they are suppose to, but just inside the white line, while they still had 4-7 feet of shoulder to the right of them. You could say rider on your left, but after passing so many Team in Training people you would lose your voice by the end of the ride..>[QUOTE]

Thanks for your ride report. Great news that they raised $8M! WhooHoo!!! :)

Good to hear you say that they were riding single file. Unfortunately, I didn't have that experience with them last year. They literally rode in a peloton & packed the lanes and there were many accidents. When I picked up my registration packet on Sat. this year, I was talking to a TnT rider who was going to ride her 1st century. She told me that her coach would yell at her group in training when they didn't do what they were supposed to. Maybe word got out to the coaches and it helped. I hope so, it makes it safer for all. I agree that it's an easy century, however, it is at altitude, 6,000-7,000'. Last year, I was told about riders throwing up on the side of the road. Poor guys!

When is your birthday??

Mary, you missed it, it was nearly a year ago....Geeeessssshhhhhh

Mary, you missed it, it was nearly a year ago....Geeeessssshhhhhh
Well, just tell me the exact date so I don't miss it a year from now. ;) :p