The Specialists in California Bike Tours

Lake Tahoe
Bike Tour

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	introduction
	Itinerary
	lodging
	questions?
	reservations

 

Days 5 Nights 4 2008 Start Dates July 20 August 10 Departure City Reno, NV Nearest Airport Reno, NV Level Moderate-Avid Avg. Daily Distance 30-50 miles Price per Person $1275 Single Supplement $387

Northern California Bike Tour — Lake Tahoe

Daily Itinerary

Day One: Spooner Lake to Truckee [29-45 miles]

We meet in the morning in Reno, Nevada, at the Best Western Airport Plaza Hotel. We shuttle from Reno to Spooner Lake, on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe. From here we ride north on the east side of Lake Tahoe to Incline Village. At this point, those who want a greater challenge can climb up to the summit of Mt. Rose (8889 ft.). Then it’s on to Kings Beach, a lazy summer vacation community on the edge of the lake. At Kings Beach, we leave the water’s edge for our overnight destination, the historic town of Truckee and the Cedar House Sport Hotel.

Day Two: Truckee to Olympic Valley [43-58 miles]

Today we explore some of the smaller alpine lakes that surround Lake Tahoe. From Truckee, we head east to Donner Lake and on to the mountain community of Soda Springs. Here we will find Serene Lakes, two tiny lakes surrounded by forests and mountains. A great place to have lunch is the Ice Lakes Lodge, a traditional mountain lodge on the edge of the lake. For those who want some more miles, the historic Rainbow Lodge is 8 miles farther down the road. Our ultimate destination for the day is Olympic Valley, site of the Squaw Valley Ski Area and the 1960 Winter Olympics. Guests may choose to ride the cable car up to High Camp, where a pool, spa, restaurant, and hiking trails await. Lodging for the night is in Olympic Village at the stylish Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn.

Day Three: Olympic Valley to South Lake Tahoe [47 miles]

Today’s ride takes us along the undeveloped western side of the lake. With less traffic and fewer towns, this is the section of the route where one can truly enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. We ride around Emerald Bay, a picturesque inlet carved out by an ancient glacier. Then it’s on to South Lake Tahoe and a stay under the evergreens at the Deerfield Lodge, a small upscale hotel set in the woods on the way to Heavenly Valley.

Day 4: Hope Valley and Carson Valley [52 miles]

Having ringed the lake by bicycle, it’s time to explore some of the other great cycling the area has to offer. Today we head up and over Luther Pass to Hope Valley, a high alpine meadow in Alpine County—the least populated county in California. Grassy meadows dotted with granite boulders are framed by jagged peaks of the Pacific Crest, where snowfields linger well into Summer. We’ll make a stop at Sorensen’s Resort for lunch before plunging down into the dry Carson Valley. From here, we head north along the valley’s edge, with the Sierra Range rising 5,000 feet or more out of the valley floor. Finally, we find our way back to South Lake Tahoe on the Kingsbury Grade, which takes us over a lower point in the mountains and back down to the Deerfield Lodge.

Day 5: Fallen Leaf Lake [27 miles]

Our final ride of the tour is a short but pleasant one, from the Deerfield Lodge along the Pioneer Trail to Fallen Leaf Lake. The Lake is small and tucked away beside its much bigger neighbor, having been carved out by a glacier and framed by the massive Mount Tallac. We’ll ride along the lakeside road to the boat harbor for lunch, then return to the Deerfield Lodge. After changing, we shuttle back to Reno for the conclusion of the tour.

Days 6-9: Kiss of Death

There is no day 6, however our Kiss of Death—High Sierra Challenge starts the day after our Lake Tahoe tour concludes. If you would like to extend your vacation with some challenging mountain passes, adding on Kiss of Death makes for an 8-day vacation.

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