Touring Lake Tahoe by Pedal-Power
North America's Second Highest Alpine Lake Attracts Bicyclists
Sep 28, 2007
Everyone who has traveled by car or bus around Lake Tahoe knows that it is one of the prettiest spots on earth. But if you ride a bike along the area’s paths and trails, you’ll find that it isn’t just pretty. It’s spectacular. And with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s practical, too.
Thirty-two miles of these bicycle paths trace the shoreline around Lake Tahoe -- most of them on the California side -- and 13 more miles follow the Truckee along Highway 89. And although it’s possible to bike the entire 72 miles around Lake Tahoe, the Nevada and California highway departments do not encourage it. Grades can be very steep; there are no guardrails or shoulders along some stretches. And traffic can be heavy, especially on summer weekends. The following suggestions are for rides that will let you escape the hustle and bustle of civilization, yet are surprisingly close to communities with bicycle rental shops, restroom facilities lodging places and restaurants.
A Selection of Top Routes
* For a real treat, take the 13 miles of asphalt bike and hiking paths that follow the Truckee River alongside Highway 89 north of Tahoe City. Instead of just catching glimpses of the river as you drive along in the car, you pedal close to the river's edge. Close enough to hear the water as it tumbles over the rocks. To call to people paddling along in their rubber rafts.
* Ride south of Tahoe City where the path is shaded by tall evergreens. While there are few places on this stretch of road where you can pull over to park a car, biking allows stops whenever you wish to look at the lake.
* Want to gape at spectacular lakeshore homes? Pedal along Lakeshore Drive in Incline Village. Although there are many showplaces around the lake, those on Lakeshore are the most accessible.
* The highway through Stateline and South Lake Tahoe on the south shore of the lake can be choked with vehicle traffic during the summer months, but bicyclists following paths along the lakeshore can avoid the congestion. It’s also interesting to ride along the South Lake Tahoe residential district, where simple cottages and lavish second homes share the vacation ambience.
Bike Rentals and Information
You'll find several bike rental operations in the Lake Tahoe area. Rates are hourly and weekly, with eighteen-speed mountain bikes generally cost more to rent than 10-speeds. At the Olympic Bike Shop in Tahoe City, you can buy the "Mountain Bikers Manual, Lake Tahoe Edition". This handy book lists 18 of the best off-road trails in the area. The Outdoorsman in South Lake Tahoe also has compiled a booklet that tells about various area rides. It gives such information as the type of ride, its degree of difficulty, the pitch of the trail, the ride's length and what's to be seen along the way. Rides include such scenic areas as the Marlette Lake Loop, the Marlette Flume, the Hobart Loop and Angora Lake.
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