New adventure-related events highlight summer at Lake Tahoe South

Lake Tahoe South steps into high endurance overdrive this summer with two new outdoor adventure events that celebrate speed, agility and skill — one with feet to the ground and the other rubber to the road.

Sierra Recon, a high-energy, multi-distance obstacle race screaming the amped premise, “Everyone loves carnage” is set for July 14 at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, while the Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride and Rendezvous celebrates the freedom of the wide open road, Aug. 23-26.

Action-packed recreation and adventure sports punctuate the Lake Tahoe South landscape, where the wild side can be experienced on the water, across the land, through the tree-tops or on the road. The newest additions complement an action-packed summer and up the ante for travelers looking to break away from routine vacation or weekend getaways.

"Outdoor recreation and scenic touring are naturals at Tahoe South and in high demand," said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

The single-day Sierra Recon is an all-ages foot-race against the elements that features hearty elevation gains of 3,000 feet, with racers challenged to power over walls and assorted beams, complete rope swings, slide down sheets of ice and trounce through bogs of mud. The course is spectator-friendly, with the ski resort planning a centrally located outdoor party with food and music. Go here for the Facebook page.

Meanwhile, power between two-wheels will be celebrated Aug. 23-26 at the inaugural Lake Tahoe Adventure Motorcycle Ride and Rendezvous. Organized by riders who've tracked every part of the Lake Tahoe Basin by road and dirt bike, the Rendezvous is open to all makes of motorcycles and enthusiasts of every stripe. Participants will ride all day through South Lake Tahoe and beyond, then swap stories of their daytime adventures during after-ride cocktail parties and night-time dining options. Go here for the Facebook page.

The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority continues to support events that attract active visitors and reflect Tahoe South’s reputation and vibe as a national leader in outdoor recreation and spectacular scenery. The LTVA is providing marketing support and staff time to these and a host of other events this summer through numerous traditional and social media marketing efforts.

Upcoming Summer Event Line-up includes:

The Valhalla Arts, Music & Theater Festival, June through October; The Lake Tahoe Paddle Fest, June 23-24; Race the Lake of the Sky paddle competition and festival at El Dorado Beach, June 30-July 1; Lights on the Lake July 4; The Lake Tahoe Festival of Fine Arts, July 6-8; The 23rd annual American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe, July 17-22; Wa She Shu It Deh Native American Arts Festival, July 28-29; South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic, July 27-28; Hot August Nights South Lake Tahoe Experience car show Aug. 2-5; The Great Gatsby Festival at Tallac Historic Site, Aug. 11-12; Lake in the Sky Air Show, Aug. 24-26; The Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, Sept. 1. The 3rd annual Sample the Sierra, a farm-to-fork festival, Sept. 2; Labor Day Weekend Pyrotechnic Exhibition, Sept. 2; Athleta Iron Girl Triathlon, Sept. 16; Lake Tahoe Marathon, Sept. 28-30.

Earlier this year, the LTVA lent its support to other new and highly popular events, including the Slow Roller Bike Parade, May 17, 2012 where 1,188 riders participated in a bicycle challenge that once verified by Guinness Book of World Records will establish the longest consecutive single-file bicycle ride. The current record is held by the city of Davis, Calif., with 916 bicycles. LTVA supplied a staff of volunteers, social media blitzes and provided a videographer to record the historic event.

In December, LTVA stamped its signature on the inaugural Heavenly Holidays month-long festival, raising it to national visibility by highlighting events that included live music, ice sculpting, fire dancers, professional ice skaters and the Heavenly New Year Celebration featuring a concert, a Gondola Drop and fireworks.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth,YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For information about Tahoe South, call 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or visit www.tahoesouth.com.