Lake Tahoe
Crisp mountain air, stunning vistas, and a pristine alpine lake — what more could you want out of an epic weekend on two wheels? On this long weekend tour, we’ll enjoy the altitude of the Sierra Nevadas as we circumnavigate the stunning Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America! Visit small towns and scenic overlooks along the way, and be sure to take a stop at the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics!
"The ride exceeded my expectations in every way. I will certainly participate in other Adventure Cycling rides in the future."
Day 1. Truckee, California, 0 miles
We’ll meet our group in the beautiful gateway to the Sierras in the early afternoon and enjoy a hearty meal together before climbing into our tents to dream of the weekend ahead. If you have time, arrive early and enjoy the charm of downtown Truckee with its unique shops and experience the gritty past and vibrant present of this historic railroad town, or cycle west up Donner Pass to get your legs acclimated to the mountains. You can also visit the Donner Party Memorial and the adjacent Emigrant Trail Museum, which can provide insight into the struggles the Donner Party faced crossing the Sierras.
Day 2. Truckee to Camp Richardson, 40 miles
We’ll start our first morning with a slight incline through Tahoe National Forest and along the beautiful Truckee River, eventually joining a bike path running from Squaw Valley to the town of Tahoe City. Along the way, we’ll pass Squaw Valley and the Olympic Valley, host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Be sure to stop and take in the sites of Emerald Bay before we end our day on the south shore of picturesque Lake Tahoe.
Day 3. Camp Richardson to Tahoe City, 48 miles
We’ll continue counterclockwise around Lake Tahoe, crossing into Nevada with Genoa Peak in our periphery as we make our way up and over Spooner Summit. We can cool off with a dip at Sand Harbor Beach or press our luck at the casinos in Crystal Bay before reaching our overnight on the western shores of the lake.
Day 4. Tahoe City to Truckee, 18 miles
We’ll bid farewell to Lake Tahoe and our new cycling comrades with a fairly short ride along the Truckee River and back to our starting point, with a taste of the Sierras and a desire to come back for more.
