BikeTheWest.com - Nevada's Best Bike Rides - Tour de Tahoe

About Tour de Tahoe - Bike Big Blue

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 10th 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 & 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.

The Course - 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, a variety of 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 8, 2012 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 2,800 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-mile ride to Ski Run Marina where you and your bike board the Tahoe Queen Paddle Wheeler for a scenic boat cruise to North 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 & 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.

Check-In and Support

Check In

Tour de Tahoe Pre-Registered Rider Check-In will take place from 12 noon until 8 pm on Saturday, September 8, 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 9, 2012, from 5:30 am til 7:30 am at the Start – Finish at the Horizon Casino Resort, Back Parking Lot C.

All participants will be required to sign an Accident and Release of Liability Waiver upon check-in. All participants will receive a Lake Tahoe Welcome Goodie Bag, Event Number, Event Wrist Band, Event T-Shirt, Food & Beverage at up to 5 rest stops, including Lunch on course, Tech Support at each rest stop, SAG Transport Support Services if needed, plus After Ride Pasta Pool Party with Live Entertainment.

Bicycle Safety Check

A complimentary bicycle safety inspection is offered during this check-in period. Make sure you check out the great "Tour de Tahoe" Sale going on this weekend.

Pre-registered rider check-in will reopen at 5:30am on Sunday, September 9, at the Horizon Casino Resort, back parking lot. Free parking is available in the back lot of the Horizon. It is recommended to enter the back lot from Lake Parkway Drive.

Support

Rest stops with a great selection of food and beverages are offered overlooking Emerald Bay, Homewood Mountain Resort, Kings Beach (Lunch), and Spooner Junction. Drop bags will be provided at the first two rest stops if you chose to discard clothing. First aid and technical support are provided at rest stops and on the course. SAG Transport Support Service is also provided but may be subject to delayed returns and final course sweep. Cut-off times are established at various points and at each rest stop where ride organizers reserve the right to ask "behind time" participants to sag forward.

After Ride Pool Party

Horizon's Outdoor Pool and Spa The ride features an After Ride Pool Party with a delicious meal and live entertainment at the Horizon Casino Resort. This is included with your entry fee. You must present and validate your event number to attend. Additional meal tickets are available to purchase for guests. Bring your swimsuit & towel; swimming is allowed but there are no showers available unless you are a guest of the Horizon.

Your photo will also be available to purchase from Laine Photo Labs who will capture your image as you climb up Emerald Bay (or aboard the Tahoe Queen).