Lake Tahoe Roundabout

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Placer County, CA, US

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Route Overview

Rick Madden

Staying the course throughout the Reno-Tahoe area

72 mi.

4,212 ft.

Lake Tahoe...I know it's on your bucket list. What are you waiting for?

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Route Details

There's a jewel in them 'thar hills, and it's called Lake Tahoe! The beauty of this sapphire lake is rivaled by few others. The ride around Tahoe has been on the "must do" lists of American and International riders for decades.

For this loop I recommend riding in a clockwise direction. The views are better and if you want to utilize some of the bike trails that run along the roadways you have better access riding in this direction. Note that I keep you on the roadway for most of this loop...that's just my preference. In many places you can distance yourself from traffic on some very obvious bike paths. Traffic can be very heavy, particularly on weekends. I recommend the shoulder seasons (late April to early May and October) for a really enjoyable ride. There are two major bike events around the lake...[Tour de Tahoe](https://www.bikethewest.com/tour-de-tahoe/) and [America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride](https://www.bikethewest.com/americas-most-beautiful-bike-ride/). What can I say? Safety in numbers.

We start the ride at the @photo[Tahoe City Transit](812119) Center which offers ample parking for cyclists. Looking for some fuel before you start to ride? My favorites close by the start is the [Fire Sign Cafe](http://www.firesigncafe.com/) and the [Tahoe House Bakery](http://www.tahoe-house.com/). There's no rush though...there are plenty of dining choices from @slice[Tahoe City to Incline Village](d,181.39,25761.91). In Incline, you will be taking in the same scenery as Hoss and Little Joe in *Bonanza*.

Upon leaving Incline you will leave the condos and restaurants behind for, in my opinion, Tahoe's most beautiful viewpoints. Huge granite boulders tossed along the crystal clear turquoise shoreline creates a @photo[perfect postcard](812129). Just past Sand Harbor State Park you will begin an@slice[ 800' climb](d,31352.11,43145.03) to Spooner Summit. Here you will turn onto State Route 50 and decend toward South Lake Tahoe. Along the way you will pass through a short @poi[tunnel](1099324). At mile 36.5 you can leave the roadway onto a delightful bike path that meanders through the the pines. If you prefer, just stay on Highway 50. The same goes for the bike path through South Lake Tahoe; if it's busy on the paths you may just want to remain on Hwy 50 and turn right at the Hwy 89 junction.

South Lake Tahoe has a huge variety of dining establishments, too many to mention just one. If you plan on extending this loop into a two-day ride there are lots of motel opportunities here too. It's a busy place filled with bobble-head tourists so ride predictably and with caution. Once you leave SLT you have one last chance for food, lodging and great atmosphere. @poi[Historic Camp Richardson](1254145) is a travelers oasis. Beyond this point stay alert for variable @photo[traffic conditons!](812133)

Next stop, @photo[Emerald Bay](812121). This @slice[section of road ](d,81295.17,84615.67)is narrow and twisty with lots of tourist traffic. The view from Inspiration Point is breathtaking.

Now for the home stretch. Enjoy the views. Breathe the clean mountain air. Sit on the shore and stick your feet in Tahoe's famous cold water. Soft pedal your way back to Tahoe City. This ride will leave you thinking "life really IS great!".

Lake Tahoe Roundabout

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Rick Madden

Reno/Virginia City/Carson City Loop

Genoa/Diamond Valley Loop

Gold lakes loop

Verdi/Somersett Loop

Truckee to Cisco Grove via Donner Pass

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