Around Tahoe in 253 minutes...

Thursday, 1 June, 2006, 15:13

After sleeping at the Lover's Leap campground last night, I brewed up a fresh press of coffee to start my morning off the right way. Once the coffee was beginning its near-IV drip into my system; I hit the road for Stateline, Nevada. After parking in one of the casino parking lots, I unloaded my bike and got ready to tackle a ride around what has to be one of the most absurdly beautiful lakes in the world.

At 8:00 AM, I was on my bike, heading west with the morning commute (what little SLT has) along Highway 50. I was just getting my groove back on, and warming up to the altitude and the slight chill in the air. Reaching the "Y", I turned north onto Highway 89, and soon found myself on the first real climb of the ride. The ridge of land that forms the southside of Emerald Bay creates some steep roads, but not too bad after only 8 miles of riding.

After bombing the decent into Rubicon Bay, the road settles down for some slight ups and downs for the next 30 miles or so. This side of the lake is just beautiful, and the views can be stunning with snow still on the peaks for most of the year. After turning onto Highway 28, the road turns toward the east, and before long the "welcome to Nevada" sign is within grasp. After a few dips and climbs, the road finally settles for up after passing Incline Village. The climb up to Spooner Summit is not that steep, but the altitude and sun conspire to make it hard. But then the reward of flying down Highway 50 at speeds approaching 45 MPH (without pushing it) makes the climb completely worthwhile.

Before long, the tunnels through Cave Rock are past, and there are just a few more slight ups and downs before the casinos of Stateline are visible. Then just like that, it was over.

The pointless stats: 121.5 kilometres, 28.1 kph average, 4:13:25 total riding time...

Not bad for an easy Thursday ride. = )

Now I'm at the Alpensierra Coffee House in South Lake Tahoe, and soon will be off for the hotsprings down by Mammoth. That should feel good...