-Lauren Lindley

A long ride is always best when you're surrounded by the camaraderie of others! I find that it's quite a bit easier to take in the surrounding view when you’re part of an organized event – there’s food, support and SAG along the way.

Below is a roundup of some of my favorite cycling events in South Lake Tahoe this year.

The Alta Alpina Spring Century is a laid back club ride open to club members each year. It takes place on Sunday, May 27 and is a great reason to join the local cycling club. At $25 for a year membership, the ride is a great way to learn about some of the beautiful terrain the Tahoe Area has to offer. The route starts in the foothills, climbs over Monitor Pass, goes through Hope Valley, over Luther Pass, through Tahoe South via Pioneer Trail and descends Kingsbury to the finish.

Tahoe South's premier cycling event is America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride. It's always an inspiring event with 80% of the participants raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. This year's annual event takes place on Saturday, June 3. There are 35 mile, 72 mile and century options. There is no better way to see Lake Tahoe than by circumnavigating the lake. 

If you would love to tour the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and surrounding area in a supported event, the brand new Cycle the Sierra takes place June 23-27 and will feature prominent Tahoe South routes. Day 2 ends at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Day 3 features Kirkwood to Tahoe South and Day 4 is Tahoe South to Sierraville.

For those looking for an extra special challenge, The Alta Alpina Challenge: Riding the Wild Sierra takes place on Sunday, June 30 and includes an amazing double century billed as the "World's Toughest Double Century." It also offers a number of other options on the most beautiful roads and mountain passes Tahoe South has to offer including a Family Fun Ride option, a metric, a century and a 5 Pass 134 mile challenge. The rest stops are run by volunteers from the local cycling club and offers homemade cookies!

The iconic and world famous Death Ride takes place this year on Saturday, July 14. It is unfortunately already sold out. Alta Alpina's 5 Pass Challenge during the Wild Sierra is a good option for those looking to tackle this route this summer. Otherwise, keep an eye out for registration to open up next winter. Spots always sell out quickly.

If you can't make June's America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, the same company puts on a similar event every fall. The annual Tour de Tahoe will take place on Sunday, September 9. While there is no century option for this event, who wouldn't want to spend a lovely morning touring the lake?

If you are into racing, Alta Alpina Cycling Club puts on a weekly road race series over the summer with a handful of events falling in the Hope Valley Area including one on one of my personal favorite roads to ride: Blue Lakes Rd.

Lauren Lindley is a Texas Longhorn at heart and a transplant to South Lake Tahoe, which she has called home since 2006.  She is an adventurer and athlete, claiming the following to her sports resume: runner, swimmer, cyclist, snowboarder, and sometimes climber.  She is a music lover, prolific reader of literature, traveler and photographer.  The only bottle of wine she doesn't like has the word Merlot on it.