Tahoe South

Echo Lake Climber

Starting at So. Upper Truckee Rd and Old Meyers Grade, this is a short route of about 7 miles up and back with 1200 ft of climbing. Do as many laps as you want for a good climbing trainer. Be careful crossing Hwy 50, it requires that you turn right on Hwy 50 for about 50 yards and then trun left across traffic to get back on Old Meyers Grade

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Kingsbury Climber

If you have a limited amount of time and just want to climb, this route will get you about 5000 in just 29 miles. Start at Kahle Park at the bottom of Kingsbury Grade at the Lake or at the bottom on the east side in Carson Valley. There is a big shoulder on the east side less so on the west side. The South and North Benjamin spurs have little traffic. Food and water are available at the bottom on the west side only.


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Kingsbury Luther Loop

A very popular ride that includes about 4800 feet of climbing over 56 miles. Start anywhere along the loop but a counterclockwise direction is most commonly done to avoid possible heavy traffic going up Woodfords Canyon. Water and food is available in South Tahoe, Meyers, Hope Valley and Woodfords. This route includes Kingsbury Grade, Pioneer Trail, short sections of Hwy. 50, So. Upper Truckee Rd., Luther Pass, Woodfords Canyon, Diamond Valley and Foothills Rd. So. Upper Truckee includes a

short section of 14% grade with little or no traffic.
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Kingsbury/Tahoe Century

To start, it is a good climb up and over Kingsbury Grade from the corner of Foothill and Mottsville in Carson Valley. After that it circumnavigates Lake Tahoe via Pioneer Trail and other back roads around South Tahoe. There are bike paths on the west and north sides of the lake as well as Lakewiew Dr. in Incline to avoid some traffic. Best on weekdays after the ski areas close and before the summer tourist season or after Labor Day. Total climb is close to 8,000 ft. This is a beautiful ride if you can go at a time to avoid the traffic. There are many places for food and water on this ride.




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Oneidas/Fountain Place Climber

Used mostly as access to the Corral/Sidewinder MTB tarils and others further up.....this is a tough little road climb. The pavement is rough, bumpy, steep and sandy much of the way so be careful of you downhill speed. About 1300 feet per lap. You can start anywhere but if driving to a start, the first obvious parking lot near the bottom works best.


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Packsaddle Pass Loop

This is a great route of contrasts. While Hwy 50 and 88 can carry some traffic, the remainder is on narrow, remote and lonely paved forest service roads. The 8300 feet of climbing is well spread out and rarely seems too steep or to long. There is food and water at the store at Strawberry but there may be nothing else until Silver Lake or Kirkwood. The Silver Lake Campground after Packsaddle Pass may have water if open. Some important route notes: Be careful crossing Hwy 50 while ascending Old Meyers Grade, it requires that you turn right on Hwy 50 for about 50 yards and then turn left across traffic to get back on Old Meyers Grade. Don't miss the left turn off Hwy 50 less than 1/2 mile below the Strawberry Lodge to gain Packsaddle Road. If you want to avoid the traffic ascending Luther Pass, don't miss the Old Road just behind the rest stop before Hwy 89. After Luther Pass, you can avoid the descending traffic by turning right at Big Meadows and following the pavement all the way down past 89 again to South Upper Truckee road. Take plenty of food and water, a camera and look at the map closely! http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/34Nz-z6RMKzZyjrvy_bXZw?feat=directlink
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Pioneer Trail/Emerald Lake Loop

Starting at the Pearl Izumi Store parking lot at the "Y" (Hwy 50/89) in So. Lake Tahoe loops through So. Tahoe, Agoura and out to Emerald Lake. Hwy. 50 and 89 carry some traffic so this route is best midweek and mornings. A very scenic and popular Tahoe ride with about 1600 ft of climbing over 30 miles.
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South Tahoe/Blue Lakes Out and Back

One of the most popular rides from South Tahoe this route climbs about 3600 ft. over 56 miles. Starting at the corner of So. Upper Truckee Rd. and Old Meyers Grade, this route keeps away from Hwy 89 as much as possible. After a short steep climb up to Hwy 89, check traffic and continue across through Big Meadows campground back to 89. Hwy 89 over Luther Pass and Hwy 88 to Blue Lakes Rd. carry some traffic. Blue Lakes Rd. is one of the best riding roads in the Tahoe region. In the summer, there can be water at the Hope Valley Campground and at the Blue Lakes Campground at the end. Don't miss Old Luther Pass Rd. behind the restroom just before the Jct. of 88 and 89 on return.
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Tahoe/Alpine Century

This could be started anywhere but typically it starts at the the bottom of Kingsbury Grade at the corner of NV 206 and 207. A counter-clockwise loop avoids the slow grind up Woodfords Canyon on 88 which can carry fast traffic. main climbs include Kingsbury Grade, Luther Pass, Blue Lakes Rd and twice over Turtle Rock divide for about 7500 feet of climbing. There is water and food in South Lake Tahoe, Woodfords, and Markleeville. Seasonally there is water at Hope Valley Campground, Blue Lakes, Campground, and Turtle Rock Park.
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West Tahoe Barker Pass Metric

From the Y in South Tahoe, this route includes the Agoura fire area and then an out and back along the west side of Lake Tahoe past Emerald Bay to Barker Pass Rd. near Homewood. Barker Pass is a good climb on a small road into the Sierras west of Lake Tahoe. South Tahoe to Barker Pass can be very busy. This is a great ride mid-week in the off seasons. 3500 ft. of mostly moderate climbing in about 63 miles.
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Wild Hillacious South Tahoe Century

We start at the bottom of Kingsbury Grade with the South Tahoe Metric riders in Carson Valley for the 2500 ft climb and down to So Tahoe, Pioneer Trail to Hwey 50, South Upper Truckee to Old Luther and to the top of Luther Pass on 89 and return the same way. Century riders having lost all their senses add in Old Meyers Grade to Echo Lake, Emerald Bay Rd to Emerald Bay and Stagecoach Lift at Heavenly for more miles and feet. Plenty of places in South Tahoe and Meyers to replenish. About 98 miles and 10200 feet...mostly pretty moderate climbing.
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Wild Hillacious South Tahoe Metric

We start at the bottom of Kingsbury Grade with the South Tahoe Century riders in Carson Valley for the 2500 ft climb and down to So Tahoe, Pioneer Trail to Hwey 50, South Upper Truckee to Old Luther and to the top of Luther Pass on 89 and return the same way. Century riders having lost all their senses add in Old Meyers Grade to Echo Lake and Oneidas/Fountain Place for more miles and feet. Plenty of places in South Tahoe and Meyers to replenish. About 63 miles and 7000 feet...mostly pretty moderate climbing.
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