I will be in Lake Tahoe from July 5th to the 11th and want to do a ride around the lake. Can everyone give me their imput on riding direction, time, climbing and etc...

I will be in Lake Tahoe from July 5th to the 11th and want to do a ride around the lake. Can everyone give me their imput on riding direction, time, climbing and etc...

I did part of the below rides last month from South Lake Tahoe, Man its a spectacular place to ride

A thread from a BF ride a few weeks ago
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=6705151#post6705151

Bikethewest.com ride also a few weeks ago
http://bikethewest.com/AMBBR.html

Elevations and distances
http://bikethewest.com/Art/AMBBR-Elev.jpg

More rides here
http://bikethewest.com/index.html

What type of weather conditions should I expect (temps, winds and etc..) and what time would you recomend me starting ? Iam 55 and have been doing some basic riding with moderate climbing and my daughter is fairly new to cycling but in good physival shape (gymnast age 21) Any and all info is appreciated

The ride around the lake is about 75 miles with rolling hills (2 longer hills, but not steep). Temperatures are usually cool in the morning, climbing in to the 70s on summer days. Food and water is available at many parks and stores along the lake shore.

The main problem with this ride is that there are long sections of road with no shoulders and high speed (50mph) auto traffic. For that reason, the best time to bike around the lake is in the fall after the biggest summer crowds are gone. The locals are generally courteous towards bicyclists, but out-of-town-tourists can easily be distracted or drunk or both. If you must ride during July, my advice is to start as early as possible, since the worst tourist traffic is in the afternoon.

The September 7 event looks like a good idea. I might very well do that ride.

Which direction is suggested or does it make a difference ?.Is there a particular section that is the worst as far as road safety and etc..?. and is there any particular area where there is several miles without seeing business

I would do it clockwise, just so the lake is on your side. The worst part, in my opinion is the stretch from Sand Harbor to Spooner Junction. It's a climb, not particularly steep (4%, I think) but it's kind of a long slog and the road is narrow. Depending on the day of the week, there could be quite a few RV's and boat trailers.

The part I did I went clockwise and early in the morning 6.30 am so the traffic was very very light

Go clockwise. Try not to go on a weekend day - somewhat less traffic on a summer weekday.

Start somewhere on the south shore; Stateline, South Lake Tahoe, Meyers. Start early. That combination will get you through the most dangerous part for car traffic (Emeral Bay area) before there is that much of it.

I've not had the good firtune to do it this way, but starting from Spooner Junction (in Nevada, where the highway coming down from Incline Village meets US 50) may be the best place, as it gets you through the second most dangerous place for car traffic (US 50 through Zephyr Cove to the California line) early in the day. Thoughts, anyone?

There is a bike path on Calif. 89 from a little norht of the "Y" (the intersection of Calif. 89 and US 50) to a little short of the climb to Emerald Bay. It is usually in pretty good shape. There is another bike path from north of Emerald Bay all the way to Tahoe City. It is nice to be away form cars (although the shoulder here is alos pretty good), but you need to pay attention, as there are sharp turns and steep little pitches that can be unpleasant surprises if you aren't paying attention. There is also a bike path much of the way between Tahoe City and Incline Village.

Speaking of Incline Village, be sure to top off an all supplies - food, drinks, etc. - as this will be the last chance to do so until Zephyr Cove or thereabouts. This stretch of road is the least travelled by cars (at least until you rejoin US 50) but it also is devoid of food. There may be water, as there is a Nevada State Park along the way, but you'll have to look for it as I've not seen any. As a previous poster mentioned, this stretch is more or less non-stop uphill - not steep, but it can get old. You do not want to run out of food or drink here.

After you hit US 50 at Spooner Junction, there is a pretty good downhill where you will be able to go fast enough to defend yourself. It bottoms out fairly soon, though, leaving you on a four-lane major highway with not very much shoulder. It is rideable, but because of the combination of heavy traffic and narrow shoulder it si the leat enjoyable part of the ride. Odds are it will also be the last part - or close to it - of the ride, which means you'll be tired, which decreases the enjoyment. (Getting this aprt out of the way early when you are fresh is why I suggest the possibility of starting at Spooner Junction or Zephyr Cove.) I am not suggesting you not do the ride because of this, I'm just giving you an idea of what to expect.

If you do not deviate from the main road at all, it is 72 miles around the lake. Some of he views are magnificent, the ecneray in general is top drawer, and supplies are readily available between Zephyr Cove and Camp Richardson, and again from north of Emerald Bay to Incline Village.

Remember, the elevation of Lake Tahoe itself is 6200 feet. The road ranges from that to over 7,000 feet. The sun will burn you faster than you are used to at that elevation, and you will dehydrate faster. Plan accordingly.

Also, the altitude may make you feel less hungry than usual. Make yourself eat. You really do not want to bonk at mile 55.

Having said all this, it is a great ride. Take a few precautions, and this will be one ride that will stand out in your memory for a long time. Good luck.

WOW Thatsb alot of good information . I thank you for it. And if anyone else has any imput please give it to me since it will only help me to enjoy the ride .

I'm ambivalent on the bike path. It can be nice to get away from cars, but it can get crowded with little kids and folks who don't ordinarily ride except when on vacation in Tahoe. You'll have to decide for yourself.

If you start early, it can be pretty chilly especially in the shade. You may want a windbreaker or arm and kneewarmers. And make sure you put on sunscreen. You can get really burned.

Take a camera! The views are awesome.

Does anyone have any pics of this ride they would like to share

IF you have a mountain bike, do the Flume Trail. It has the best views of Tahoe you've ever seen. Heck, do it on a cross bike or commuter. it's worth it.

Is the Flume Trail doable on a cyclocross bike? If so, that'd be one to put on my must do list.

Is the Flume Trail doable on a cyclocross bike? If so, that'd be one to put on my must do list.

You might have to walk on some of the sandy sections and almost everyone lifts their bike over the bigger boulders. Otherwise, the Flume Trail is fairly non-technical (as long as you are not scared of heights).

The Tahoe Rim Trail, which runs parallel to the Flume Trail, is also a lot of fun.

Agree. Tricia says "Watch out for sand snakes. They'll grab your tires"
But there isn't a lot of sand, so have fun.

You might have to walk on some of the sandy sections and almost everyone lifts their bike over the bigger boulders. Otherwise, the Flume Trail is fairly non-technical (as long as you are not scared of heights).

The Tahoe Rim Trail, which runs parallel to the Flume Trail, is also a lot of fun.

:cry: That could be a problem.

I have some photos of a ride from Tahoe City to the top of Mount Rose (if the Lake was a clock, from 10 to 1 o'clock). I went early.

Dollar Hill
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06061.jpg

Carnelian Bay
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06062.jpg

State Line
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06064.jpg

Turning off the Lake Road to the Mt. Rose Highway
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06065.jpg

Scenic overlook
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06069.jpg

Almost there!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06071.jpg

At the top.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06076.jpg

:cry: That could be a problem.

The main attraction of the Flume Trail is that you are essentially riding on a single track trail that is cut into a steep cliff side. There is a several hundred foot drop from the trail down to the lake.

The Tahoe Rim Trail gives you the same mountain scenery without the cliff. The TRT is also much longer (with several trail heads) and has more solitude.

Thanks Johnny99.
Looks like a good one to add to the list.
www.tahoerimtrail.org

Thanks for all the ride info.. And if anyone has anything to add please do

IF you have a mountain bike, do the Flume Trail. It has the best views of Tahoe you've ever seen. Heck, do it on a cross bike or commuter. it's worth it.

awesome! how do you get to flume trail?

are there anymore mtn bike trails i should know about? i think ill be heading over to my friends cabin middle of july or so

awesome! how do you get to flume trail?

are there anymore mtn bike trails i should know about? i think ill be heading over to my friends cabin middle of july or so

http://www.theflumetrail.com/
http://www.tahoerimtrail.org/
http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1203
http://www.mbronline.com/destinations/meccas/laketaho/laketaho.htm

I've done the ride in September. We went clockwise from South shore. Next time will be better, I'll remember Spooner. I'd driven it many times, didn't notice the grade until I was on a bike & wasn't ready. I kept thinking, where did this come from? Beautiful ride. Enjoy.