Sierra Tahoe 2021

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

SUMMARY: This is a beautiful ride providing six (6) off days with a variety of riding options.  Starting in Reno, NV, we start a counter clock-wise loop tour, which takes us north into California through Sierra Valley, then along the Eastern Sierras, Donner Lake, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, and the Virginia Range.  We’ll cross many historical spots, which defined the west, which includes the Bonanza gold rush and Virginia City, the trans continental railroad, Snowshoe Thompson, Genoa, NV, Bower’s Mansion and much more.  There will be 6 layover days allowing riders to rest or challenge themselves to a number of various climbs. 

RIDE DESCRIPTIONS:  

Day 1, We'll gather in the Biggest Little City in the World – Reno, Nevada.  Lodging the first night is at the Holiday Inn Express, which has a shuttle from the airport.  Bike box storage is available.  For those who arrive early, you’ll be able to warm up your bicycling legs by climbing Geiger Grade or riding a part of the Tahoe to Pyramid Bikeway Trail, a 119 miles trail from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake.  Janet Phillip’s dream of building this trail is more than 50% complete! https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tahoe+pyramid+bikeway&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 2 (62 miles, 2,497 ft. 2C) We will travel north out of Reno through the Sierra Valleyhttps://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=sierra+valley+ca&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8   and the community of Portola, CA to Graeagle, CA.  

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=graeagle+ca&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 3 Optional ride day.  There is a 1A, a 2B, and there is a beautiful Gold Lake 4B loop in the mountains surrounding Graeagle and the Sierra Valley if the winter snow is cleared.  Hopefully this year the snow has melted!

Day 4 (50 miles, 3753 ft. 3C) from Graeagle along the western side of the Sierra Valley, through Sierraville to Truckee, CA. All climbs are truck grade (6-7% or less)  https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=donner+lake&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 5 Optional ride day.  There is a (38 mile 2B) out and back ride to Cisco, CA that features a short climb up and over Donner Pass, https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=transcontinental+railroad+facts&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=donner+pass&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

which is named after the Donner Party who perished there in the winter of 1847.  The Donner Party museum is just a short walk from our hotel.  A second ride option is a (46 mile, 3B) ride over Brockway Summit to Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City and back to Truckee along the Truckee River.   

Day 6, (48 miles, 1,800’, 2B) We travel south along the Truckee River on the Tahoe to Pyramid bike trail to Tahoe City. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tahoe+city&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

We will continue around the west side of the lake towards our destination - South Shore Lake Tahoe.  Along the way we will stop for lunch at the beautiful Emerald Bay to visit the Viking’s Home (short walk down and up) before arriving at our destination.  https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=emerald+bay&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 7 Optional ride day.  There is a (1A) out and back with a short section of dirt railroad bed to Glenbrook, NV.  This railroad grade was used to haul logs from Lake Tahoe up to Spooner Pass where they were placed in a flume and sent screaming down to the lumber mill Carson City. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=glenbrook+nv&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

There is also a (49 mile, 4B) loop ride over Kingsbury Grade/Daggett pass and Luther pass.  

Day 8 (46 mile, 1856’, 2B or a 67 mile, 3,307', 3D) we ride from South Lake Tahoe over Luther Pass to Hope Valley with the option of climbing up Carson Pass before heading down hill through Diamond Valley to Gardnerville, NV.    

Day 9 Optional ride day.  Again there are many options from a short ride to Wally Hot Springs https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=wally+hot+springs&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8for a nice soak, or a 3C or 4D out and back rides to Markleville (home of the Death Ride) with the options of Monitor and or Ebbetts Pass (10% grades) if one wishes.   

Day 10 (23 miles, 500' 1A or 48 miles, 3,982’, 4B) Gardnerville to Genoa (the oldest community in Nevada) and the home of Snowshoe Thompson.    We THEN continue to Carson City (Capital of Nevada) through Jacks Valley (1A) or via Kingsbury Grade/Daggett Pass and Spooner Summit (4B).  

 https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=snowshoe+thompson&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=genoa+nv&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 11 Optional ride day.  One could take in the sites of Carson City and visit the Nevada State Museum where silver dollars were minted with the CC designation from 1870 - 1893, or one could ride to historic Virginia City (VC) and visit the Comstock where all the gold and silver was mined.  There is an out and back route (31 miles rated 2A), or you can approach VC the back way by riding out to Dayton, NV and up the famous 6 Mile Canyon (some 10% grades) into VC as the miners did back in the 1800s prospecting for gold.  The last 2-3 blocks into VC will stretch your legs with a grade of 20%+.  After visiting VC the remainder of the ride will take us over Geiger grade and through beautiful Washoe Valley and the historic Bower’s Mansion (60 miles, 4C).  

Day 12, Carson City to Incline Village via Spooner Summit (29-miles, 2,811’, 3A).   2,700’ of the climb is one pull up Spooner Summit at 6% grade or less.  We stay the next two nights at the Lake Tahoe Hyatt Regency in Incline, NV.  https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/nevada/hyatt-regency-lake-tahoe-resort-spa-and-casino/tvllt?src=corp_lclb_gmb_seo_nam_tvllt

Day 13 Optional ride day.  Today's options include Hiking, kayaking, biking around Lake Tahoe (America’s most beautiful ride 72 miles 3D), or rent a mountain bike and ride the famous Flume Trail, which moved fresh drinking water from Marlette Lake to Virginia City, using the first reverse anti syphon method to move water uphill! https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=flume+trail&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Day 14 Incline Village to Reno over Mt Rose Pass 8,911’ (34-miles 2,600', 3A).  Today provides one of those lasting memorable rides, a long pull with one spot with a 10% grade and a screaming 4.500’ decent down to Reno followed by a group dinner.  One could extend their ride and miss the 10% grade.

NOTES: Elevations – the base/lowest elevation is 4,400’ in Reno, and the highest point on the tour is 8,911.  As customary on BAC bike tours, you should be prepared to make any necessary bicycle repairs while underway.  The weather can change from low 80s to snow.  The tour leader is from the area, has ridden all of the routes, and has previously led three similar tours, one for BAC in 2015, which was his first BAC lead ride.

RIDE RATING:

We have listed the ride rating as 2C, which translates to a distance of 35-50 miles per day, with 1500 to 2500 ft. elevation. 

Riding is on everything from bike paths to roads with shoulders. Tandems and e-bikes are welcome. E-bike riders should be experienced with riding an e-bike: know the "rules of the road" while riding in a group settings. 

LOGISTICS:
If you arrive by air, use the Reno International Airport (RNO).  The Holiday Inn Express is one mile from the airport and has a shuttle service. This hotel will also be our final overnight’s location.  You may ship your bikes ahead to the hotel, and you may also leave your empty bike boxes at the hotel during our bike tour.

LUGGAGE SUPPORT: 

We will have a Penske truck, which will transport luggage.   Participants are expected to ride the entire route and will be transported only in the case of injury or illness.  Riders should be able to handle their own bike repairs, at a minimum how to change a tire.  If you have a major equipment failure, you will need to call and contact the driver.  

LUGGAGE:  

Luggage size is restricted to two carry on pieces each under 25 lbs!  If you travel with one large piece of luggage, please bring two small duffle bags to use during the ride.

WEATHER – Normal daytime temperatures in the Reno/Tahoe range from low 60’s - 70’s, and nighttime temperatures range from low 30’s to low 40’s.  

COST & ADMINISTRATION: - In addition to the $50 non-refundable BAC fee, estimated costs include all 14 hotel/motel nights, 10 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 Happy Hours, and two dinners - $2,500.00.  We will stay 10 nights in Holiday Inn Expresses or similar hotels, 2 nights at a small motel (Graeagle), and two nights at a 4 star hotel (Incline).  Also included are RidewthGPS tracks, which will allow riders to print cue sheets, down load routes to their Garmins or download routes to their smart phones. It is assumed individual participants have operational knowledge of their respective GPS units and or ridewithGPS on their smart phones.  The minimum number of paid riders is 17 and the maximum is 21. A deposit of $1,500 plus the $50 BAC fee will be due when you sign up, and the remaining $1,000 will be due on February 1, 2020.  

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY: 

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until 12/1/2020 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1,600.00 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If there are two riders desiring to be have their own room, then the single solo suppliment would be $1,400 each.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.  Due date is March 25, 2020.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The BAC ride registration fee and payment-processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.