Tahoe ride, June 3rd
 

Anybody doing America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride this year?

Looks like it's sold out, but there's a (limited) chance to sign up on the day of the event. Has anyone here been able to show up and get on the ride that morning? I don't want to drive all that way to be turned down.

Details: http://www.bikethewest.com/AMBBR.html

If I was you I would skip AMBBR and do Tour De Tahoe instead (on Sept 9th). I have done both so these are my experiences. AMBBR is a huge event, people from all across the US show up. Team In Training uses it as their fund raising event. What this means is there are thousands of cyclists on the roads of varying skills. This leads to a lot of crashes on this ride, and I saw a few downed riders. Last year someone had to be air lifted out. They force you to ride on a MUT (Multi Use Trail) which is rather dangerous in my opinion. You have people who think they're Lance Armstrong and are hammering on the trail. There are also various metal poles on the trail as it intersects with walk ways. The ride out to Truckie sucks and there was a strong head wind on the way back and not much to see. I think anyone who has done AMBBR before pretty much agrees that riding around the lake is the part only worth doing. The ride around the lake is 72 miles, they add on the ride out to Truckie to get the full 100 for AMBBR. When I did Tour De Tahoe, it was much more mellow and not as crazy as AMBBR. You don't have to ride on the MUT either. And they cut out the ride to Truckie.

I don't have any experience registering the day of but its a huge event so I am sure there will be some no shows and if you show up early enough you may get it in. But you can basically do this ride anytime by yourself. Just keep the lake to your right. :)

Thanks for all the info. I did Tour De Tahoe last year and it was fun. I don't remember any pile-ups, but there were a few people really hammering up the hills. Sounds like AMBBR is a little too crazy for me..but I still might go. I hear they close parts of the road for AMBBR which would be nice.

I have been able to register the day of the ride in the passed with no problem. You can always post on Craigslist for a transfer ticket.
Yes there are lots of people but that is part of the fun. You will see folks from all over the country there. And just like any large ride, there will be folks there who should't be.
They do a road closure at Emerald bay which, I think, is the most dangerous part of the ride.
Some people ride the MUT but I do not think you are required to.
It will be cool in the morning whatever time of year you do the ride.

See you there.