Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue promises beautiful ride around the lake

Lake Tahoe — Big Blue, as it is referred to by many — is North America’s Largest Alpine Lake and the Jewel of the High Sierra … and the Reno Tahoe Territory of the Nevada Commission on Tourism and Bike the West invites you to experience the adventure of riding your bicycle around her 72-mile shoreline by participating in the Annual Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue.

Bike the West has been producing America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride – Lake Tahoe for the past 20+ years and has gained a reputation as being one of best Spring rides in the country. It continues to sell out year after year leaving many riders not able to participate. This is your chance to ride around Lake Tahoe at Summer’s end offering fresh mountain air, incredible scenic beauty, great food and entertainment and managed and supported by one of the most experienced bicycle event management teams in the West.

Ride to Cure Diabetes

This year, Tour de Tahoe is proud to continue to be the premiere bicycling event for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in their National Fundraising Program. For more information on joining their team, please visit www.ride.jdrf.org.

Start Times

Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue will Start and Finish at the Lake Tahoe Horizon Casino Resort on Highway 50, Stateline, South Shore Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The Horizon offers 24-hour Nevada-style fun, restaurants, shops, live entertainment, cabaret, cinema, swimming pool, free parking and special lodging rates for bike ride participants and guests. Call 1-800-648-3322 for reservations and ask for the Tour de Tahoe rates. Rooms for this event are limited and reservations must be made by August 7, 2013 to take advantage of these special rates.

The Course

The 72-mile Tour de Tahoe – Bike Big Blue course circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 4000 vertical feet of elevation gain! The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level and the ride is recommended for conditioned recreational bicyclists, not for beginners. Participants must be at least 14 years of age (no children, please) and must be experienced in riding roadways.

Most Fun for Friends and Family

For the recreational bicyclist who would like to mix sightseeing and bicycling, the Boat Cruise & 35-mile Lake Tahoe Half Ride Fun Tour is offered. The ride starts at 6:45 am with a short 1.3-mile ride to Ski Run Marina where you and your bike board the Tahoe Queen Paddle Wheeler for a scenic boat cruise to Carnelian Bay on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. From there, you will join the ride course for the remaining 35-mile ride back to the Horizon Casino Resort. It comes with continental breakfast onboard, plus ride t-shirt, lunch on the course, rest stops and more. This Fun Boat Cruise is also open to friends and family members who would like to accompany participants across the Lake and return to Ski Run Marina. A fun-filled experience limited to 120 bicyclists & 50 guests. **Please note, once onboard the Tahoe Queen, TGFT Productions / Bike the West has no authorization over the decisions of the Captain of the vessel, as Lake Tahoe Cruises assumes all responsibility as a separate vendor, should there be delays in boarding or de-boarding due to weather, to accommodate and provide for the safety & welfare of all passengers and their crew.

Check In

Tour de Tahoe Pre-Registered Rider Check-In will take place from 12 noon until 8 pm on Saturday, September 7, at TAHOE SPORTS LTD, located in the Village Shopping Center at Highway 50 & Heavenly Village Way in South Lake Tahoe, two stop lights from the Stateline Casinos on the California side — and on the morning of the ride, Sunday, September 8, 2013, from 5:30 am till 7:30 am at the Start – Finish at the Horizon Casino Resort, Back Parking Lot C.

Go here for more information.