We meet at noon in Stateline, Nevada, at the Lakeside Inn. The inn is an easy shuttle ride away from the Reno International Airport. On this first day, we take a gentle warm-up ride to the tranquil Fallen Leaf Lake, a glacial lake surrounded by towering peaks. We return by a different route to the Deerfield Lodge, set back from the lake in the tall pines. Dinner is at a local favorite restaurant, walking distance from the lodge.
Day Two: Hope Valley [41-62 miles]
We ride up and over Luther Pass today, into the unspoiled alpine meadows of Hope Valley. Saved from development several years ago, the entire valley remains virtually free of human activity. We stop for lunch at the Scandinavian inspired Sorensen’s Resort, with its scattering of unique cabins resting silently amid the aspens. After lunch, we head back over Luther Pass to the lake and our destination for the night—the Fireside Lodge, a tiny log cabin-style mountain inn. Tonight we treat oursleves to gourmet dining at the highest rated restaurant in the region—conveniently located just across the street.
Day Three: Emerald Bay, Squaw Valley [33 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 up to a vista point over Emerald Bay, a stunning inlet carved out by an ancient glacier. After drinking in the lake vistas, we continue north along the west shore to the lake's outlet and the start of the Truckee River. We follow the river until we reach the road leading to Sqaw Valley, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Our lodging is in the heart of the Squaw Valley Village, at the Plumpjack Inn.
Day Four: Donner Lake, Serene Lakes, Truckee [40-56 miles]
We continue down the Truckee River today, then turn west to the deep blue of Donner Lake. After riding the lake's edge for its entire length, we leave Donner Lake and climb up and over the granite domes of Donner Pass on the former highway. The Interstate was built nearby several years ago, leaving the old highway for cyclists and the occasional local vehicle. Once over the pass, we continue to the aptly named Serene Lakes, two small lakes ringed by tall pines. Once we've taken in the view, we return back over Donner Pass, past the quiet side of quiet Donner Lake, then into the historic gold rush town of Truckee. Lodging for the night is in Truckee at the Cedar House Sport Hotel.
Day 5: Tahoe Beaches, Mt. Rose, Spooner Summit [40-58 miles]
Our final ride of the tour takes us from California to Nevada, then back to our starting point. We start by heading from Truckee over Brockway Summit to the Lake Tahoe beach community of Kings Beach, where sandy beaches stretch for miles along the north shore of the lake. We take a lunch stop at Incline Village, where the more ambitious challenge themselves with the climb up Mt. Rose. The road takes us south along the eastern edge of the lake, then it begins a long but not steep climb up to Sponner Summit. From there, it's only a few more miles back to the Lakeside Lodge at Stateline, where we began our adventure 5 days ago. After some well deserved celebration of our 5-day journey, the trip comes to an end. Guests may choose to add more nights to their stay in Lake Tahoe, or they may choose to catch a regularly sheduled shuttle back to the Reno Airport.
