[Ridgetop]

I didn't ride around Tahoe with Cooper, Cooper's Wife, and his Team in Training Crowd, but I did ride it the day before when most of the TINT crowd was out and about playing around the lake. We've kind of made it a tradition of riding Tahoe the day before the Team in Training Day so we can take advantage of the signage and plentiful riders without having to pay to ride around the Lake since we only live about 25 minutes away from it anyway. The weather started out perfect after a night of light showers that puddled up the roads a little. But, the clouds kept the temperatures well above freezing and there was almost no wind to speak of so we were happy as biking clams or something. We had put together a group of eight people which broke down into two groups, but it was all good.

We started in Incline and rode around into South Lake Tahoe. Our only real rule is to keep ride on the lakeside of the road since most tourists are looking that way. After passing through South Lake we came upon this merry band of renaissance folks looking for the Holy Grail. Not sure what a Ninja was doing there.

 

[Ridgetop]

Continuing on to Emerald Bay

Past Camp Richardson you begin the climb up the switchbacks to the overlook above Emerald Bay. At this point at least 100 to 200 riders were either winding their way up the hills or already sitting at the overlook enjoying the view. We had the advantage of being used to the altitude and ended up passing quite a lot of folks. Most of them were the TINT New York Team that I had some brief conversations with before continuing on. We then dropped back down to Tahoe City riding along the pebble beaches which were pretty much empty on this day. It won't stay like this though. These beaches have been a point of contention between the rich land owners (i.e. actors, singers, etc.) and the touristing public. Although technically the beaches are public here, the rich folk have been working hard to get that changed. Hasn't happened yet though.

 

[Ridgetop]

After Tahoe City

We continued back on to Incline through the North Shore casinos. The hamburgers at this place aren't too bad. There's good ice cream nearby also.

All in all, a very good day to ride without a single problem with cars, people, or out of control squirrels with a deathwish.

 

[abiciriderback]

Great Great Pictures I love Tahoe one of my favorite places. Funny parts look the same as they did way back in the mid 80's. Not a runner but loved the trails around camp Richardson. I can still smell those pine needles.

Ray Still

 

[Ridgetop]

It's a great area and I love the smell of the pines too. The trails around Camp Richardson got singed by the fires pretty badly this last year. Pretty much everything south of C.R. got taken out. Pretty sad stuff. Fallen Leaf is all right though. Another one of my favorite areas.

 

[sometimerider]

Ok, that does it. I'm going to do that ride this year. Don't know when, but I should get up to the Incline area twice before the weather turns bad.

Thanks for the inspiration.

 

[thinkcooper]

That's so fncking gorgeous. And nary a green and purple jersey in sight!

 

[Ridgetop]

It was hard to avoid taking pics of those jerseys!

 

[Ridgetop]

It's worth it. Best time is May/June or Sept/Oct depending on weather.

 

[MB1]

Can clams ride bikes?

How can you tell if a clam is happy?

Those renaissance outfits look even more out of place than cycling kits off the bike.

But not as dumb as the ninja thing.

A quarter pounder at the Char-Pit!!!

We are lucky to have wives to ride with.

That's a great ride.

And a darn good report.

 

[FatTireFred]

nice... I remember spending lots of time on the north shore. as usual, tessie remains elusive

 

[KeeponTrekkin]

Answer..

How can you tell if a clam is happy?

When it's high tide... The original expression is "happy as a clam at high tide". At high tide, a clam is less likely to be harvested and eaten so it's about as happy as it can be.

Also great pictures. I recognize one photo as a place I went swimming in 1971, just about this time of year. That water was refreshing, especially when you went below the top two feet where it was a little warmer.

 

[DrRoebuck]

Great report and great, great pictures. Looks like you had a perfect day for the ride.

 

[mateoway]

that first pic is where I spent last summer .brings back good memories

 

[Samhain]

Only been to Tahoe during the winter months for boarding. Love Tahoe, got to head back out there for a ride during the warmer months.

 

[Chain]

These are the same folks that think that our jerseys and shorts looks funny..

 

[TBro]

These are the same folks that think that our jerseys and shorts looks funny..

That pic reminds me of the Renaissance Festival in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. And to think that people view Cyclists as over the top with their gear and clothing. We can't hold a candle to these midevil times wannabes.

TBro

 

[Ridgetop]

They're probably the one's that honk and flip us off too .

 

[Tugboat]

A ninja amongst renaissance folks? Either he's there to assasinate someone ninja stylez or he's lost... and everyone knows ninjas don't get lost.

 

[schimanski]

Man, you should be glad you're alive and well after seeing the ninja. It's gotta mean something. Just look at any Chuck Norris movie.
Not many stay alive after they've met a ninja, except of course Chuck Norris. But he's Chuck Norris!