arexjay

I'm going to be in Tahoe for a few days in a few weeks, and I'm looking for some rides with some good climbs (and great scenery, but I think that's a given). I've searched around, but haven't found much on bike trails with big elevation changes.

I'm not really interested in biking around the lake. More interested in doing big climbs. I'm thinking 500+ feet or something.

Thanks!


edit: Also, good rides around Sacramento/Folsom/Davis will work.

jonathanb715

Head to Markleeville (about 25 minutes south of South Lake Tahoe). Many passes you could do (or if you're really feeling chipper you can do the entire Death Ride route - www.deathride.com). Just be aware that there's nothing out there once you're past Markleeville - no place to get water, no food, nothing. Fantastic riding, though, and you could always go out early in your car and stash some water at a few points along the way.

JB

PS - 500 feet of climbing? That really shouldn't be a problem.

msincredible

Plenty of rides with more than 500 ft climbing on Bikely:
https://www.bikely.com/listpaths/srchkey/tahoe

BlastRadius

Are you talking MTB or road?

bigbossman 

Try Mt Rose

arexjay

road biking.

i've never really done any climbing rides, so i'm not really sure what 500 ft feels like. i know that i can handle a lot, though, so i'm sure i'd be up for more than that. i usually just do repeats of short, steep climbs around home.

bigtruck

Lots of info here
https://www.bikeforums.net/northern-california/433089-give-me-suggestions-info-doing-ride-lake-tahoe.html

rydaddy

Monitor Pass and Ebbetts would be a good start. You can park your car between the two for water stops, etc. Ebbetts is my personal favorite. If you're looking for an all dayer, do the death ride as others have suggested.

If you really want a killer climb, check out Sonora Pass. That one is next on my list.

bigbossman 

The road to Mt Rose is paved all the way, and is a good climb with nice views of the Reno Valley.

Rushfan

Check this site out for great detail on Sacramento-area rides.

https://centralcaliforniacycling.com/

There's also a couple of rides in the Sierras.

nachomc

um, not to be a jerk, but if you never done any climbing rides, and don't know what 500 ft feels like, the Tahoe area might not be the best place for your first time.

reidconti

I'd say do Monitor first. The side from Markleeville is only 2000ish feet, and the descent is freaking awesome. If you want to get in more riding, just keep going over the pass to 395 and turn around, 3000 more feet of climbing.

Can't argue with great climbs, great scenery, and epic descents.

Not sure what the traffic is like.

... or why you think it's even possible to do a ride anywhere near Tahoe without doing 500+ feet

jonathanb715

+1 - I didn't notice the 500 ft. part until after I wrote my reply.

OP - where are you coming from? Climbs out here tend to be long, but not necessarily that steep. Climbing something like Carsons Pass might take a couple of hours, but there's no double digit grade on it at all. Also, keep in mind that you'll be at altitude (Lake Tahoe is above 5,000 feet, I believe - then start adding on the amount you're climbing). For some people, that won't matter much, but for others it can make a big difference. The biggest thing I noticed was that I went through a lot more fluids than I'm used to.

By all means, bring your bike and get in some rides. But if you try one of these long climbs, have a back-up plan. Cell phones don't have coverage in a lot of the area near Lake Tahoe, and there's not a 7-11 every couple of miles - make sure you have or stash plenty of water, and have someone drive out to check on you after a couple of hours.

Enjoy!

JB

rodar y rodar

There are probably parking lots around with 500ft climbs from one side to the other. Seriously though, Tahoe is at ~6200 elevation. The air is a bit thin for some folks but the temps are great when it`s hot in the valleys. Bring your bike, give it a try and have a good time. If it turns out that you don`t care for the climbing or the elevation, there are options- around the lake has less climbing but lots of traffic, Washoe Valley (Eastlake Dr, Old 395, and Franktown Rd are some local favorites) and Carson Valley (Minden and Gardenerville) are much lower, close to the East side of Tahoe, and offer relatively little traffic with nice scenery. Any way you slice it, you can`t lose.

arexjay

I understand what you're saying, and I guess I just wasn't very clear. I've definitely climbed 500ft before, just don't really know how to gauge it. I can handle long gradual climbs with the occasional steep section thrown in. I know I'm not very tested in climbing, but I'm looking for a challenge. I can always turn around and coast down if it's too much.

arexjay

Mt. Rose and Monitor look cool, I think I'll check those out.

Thanks for all the help.

reidconti

You're right about the climbing. Most climbs aren't hard, they just take awhile. As long as you can sit there all day and pedal, you're set -- and like you said, one turn of the handlebars is all it takes to take you hoooome to the car

Where do you normally ride, BTW?

arexjay

I usually ride from San Carlos (near redwood city, san mateo) to Santa Clara (SJ airport) if I'm riding flat, and I do hills from San Mateo to San Carlos along alameda de las pulgas.

caloso

On the north side, Brockway is short but sweet. From the lakeside, go north from Kings Beach (you can park in the Safeway parking lot. Up and over to Northstar ski area and turn around there, or continue down into Truckee.

Mt. Rose is another favorite. Long and steady but excellent pavement and wide shoulders. I enjoy coming down as I can often pass cars.

ROJA

I've driven Mt. Rose in a car many times, but have never ridden it on a bike. It seems like it would be a dodgy ride with all the high-speed traffic coming up.

Some good-looking rides here: https://www.psbicycleclub.org/ride_maps.htm#Road%20maps

Sagebum

Hi arexjay

Don't know if you have done your trip yet but......here is a link to a good starter ride. Low traffic, scenic, moderate climbs good pavement. Try this first then go do th tougher calimbs.

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...y/806088281812

Also, while you are at MapMyRide, type in "alta alpina" in the search area and you'll get 20+ routes we commnly do over here all the time.

Be safe and have fun.

caloso

I don't mind it. Cars seem to expect cyclists on the road and the shoulder is wide, well-paved, and pretty clesn. It's a lot better than the roads on the California side of the lake.

bikeguy

I have riden from Truckee to Reno and Brockway summit is a bit steep....Mount Rose was a long steady climb. Traffic was not an issue. I did it is Mid June .... there was still patchy snow on Mt Rose.

very pretty area

Sagebum

Just be aware that there's nothing out there once you're past Markleeville - no place to get water, no food, nothing. Fantastic riding, though, and you could always go out early in your car and stash some water at a few points along the way.

JB

Well, not quite true. There is food and water at the Carson River Resort about 3 miles past Mleeville on 89/4 in the summer. There is water at Silver Creek Campground just above the 7,000 ft sign on the east side of Ebbetts in the summer. If you continue past Ebbetts and over Pacific Grade, there is food and water at Lake Alpine in the summer. There is water often year round at the bottom of the east side of Monitor at 89/395.

roadie gal

The Mt. Rose climb from the Lake Tahoe side is a great ride. It's not steep but you go from 6200 ft to 8000+. There's a very wide, nice bike lane. The ride up Mt. Rose from the Reno side takes you up from 4500 feet. It's a killer and there's no bike lane.


Some rides near Truckee:
Going up Brockway from the Lake Tahoe side is a bit steeper than the Northstar side. On the lake side you start from 6200 feet. On the Northstar (Truckee) side you start at around 6000 ft and top out at 7200. There's a nice 34 mile loop that starts in Truckee. Park either on rt 89 south or the Truckee Regional Park. Go over Brockway from the Northstar side. Make a right at the lake and go to Tahoe City. Make a right on rt 89 and go back to Truckee.

You can also take Donner Pass Rd from Donner Lake over Donner Summit. It's a fairly steep climb that switches back and forth up to the summit. You start at 5800 feet and end at 7200. If you want a @35 mile ride with more climbing, you can continue past the summit along the road to Cisco Grove at the end of the road. It's a bit of a hot climb back to the summit. Coming down off of Donner Pass is quite the thrill. The switch backs have no railing and there's no dedicated bike lane, so you're right there, on the edge with the cars. (BTW, this is the route of the Donner Lake Triathlon)