America's Most Beatiful Bike Ride

[ian408]

Or how I spent Sunday.

Most of you probably know (or you do now :D) that one of my other hobbies
is motorcycles.

For the past few years, Lake Tahoe has been the home of America's Most
Beautiful Bike Ride. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is probably the biggest
single participant in the ride. This year, there were 3,700 riders entered and
they raised something like $7 million dollars.

For our part, three of us road the route keeping participants in a single file
line (the roads are not closed) and generally making sure those who needed
SAG got it.

This year, Saturday was a gorgeous day and I think many expected Sunday
to be the same. Instead, it was windy and unseasonably cool. It was a very
long day for many people. Consider the ride starts at 6:30 and the last
finisher crossed at 5:30. The ride is 73 miles around the lake with the
toughest climb coming 13 miles from the finish.

This year, I rode around the lake twice and up and done the Nevada side
a couple of times for a total of 210 miles on the motorcycle.

I can't explain the motivation that drives so many to participate.
I will say that for me, it's pretty much the dedication so many of these riders
have to the battle against Leukemia and seeing the pictures hanging
from the seats and the posters supporters hold tells the story much better
than words.

A few pictures.

All good road trips usually start with a good meal. I like to start at Kal's.
Good meal, reasonable price.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/24226074-M.jpg

Looking back toward Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe--look at all that snow!

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/24227196-M.jpg


A shot from the finish area.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/24230003-M.jpg

On the ride home, I stopped at Coloma. It's a State Park dedicated to the
discovery of Gold. Just an obligatory bike pic.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/24227200-M.jpg

The real reason I ran down Highway 49 was to get to Ikeda's. Home of
one of the best burgers in town--the town of Auburn. If you find yourself
there, the milk shakes and pies are pretty darn good too!

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/24226078-M.jpg

I had plans to get up early, do the sun rise shoot, etc. But it was 29F
when I got up. There was ice on the seat of the bike and in a few spots
in the parking lot. I chickened out and went back to bed :D

Hope you enjoy and remember the food!

Ian

[David_S85]

Beautiful scenery for any kind of ride (with or without motors), that's for sure. :thumb

Ian, thanks for showing us these. Very inspiring! And very good of you helping out the way you did, too. I want to get to the Tahoe area someday. When we go to places like this, we always bring or bikes with in the van. This is something that we'll probably be doing in Utah also, in about 11 months.

Speaking of SAG'ing ("Supplies And Goodies" is one meaning), that's my specialty! Due to my history and experience in the cycling community, I have been called upon dozens of times to head up SAG service for area invitationals (also called rallies, elsewhere). Although we have never had motorcyclists help with rides that I've been involved with - it is a unique idea that I'll have to remember to mention, if the opportunity comes up.

Single-file, eh? The whole ride? We've never been able to force riders into single-file on big rides, even with roadway traffic. The police don't like it, but...

Ever been involved in a group ride of this size (as a bicyclist)? It's like being part of an ant swarm. You just roll along on what seems to be group energy. Yes, you need to pedal the bike, but there's something more around you too, like a group aura. Anything is possible, it seems, in groups that size.

And as always, everywhere, its all about the food, isn't it? :D

[ian408]

Single-file, eh? The whole ride? We've never been able to force riders into single-file on big rides, even with roadway traffic. The police don't like it, but...

Ever been involved in a group ride of this size (as a bicyclist)? It's like being part of an ant swarm. You just roll along on what seems to be group energy. Yes, you need to pedal the bike, but there's something more around you too, like a group aura. Anything is possible, it seems, in groups that size.

And as always, everywhere, its all about the food, isn't it? :D
Single file. We had a road closure (our direction only) for an early climb.
Otherwise, the roads remain open. The climb is usually where people start
to spread out. However, stronger riders are often behind the weaker and
are trying to get past. Keep in mind that hwy 89 is a two lane road. Even
though riders were being told to stay in the lane, many were crossing the
double yellow to pass others. Even when the CHP is telling them they'll be
cited if they do and with cars coming the opposite direction, crossing
persists until the pack thins out.

When a CHP motor comes along and waves me behind him in the other lane,
I was only too happy to oblige. It was very, very difficult to keep riders
on their side of the road. Thankfully, we only had two injuries that I am
aware of and neither inolved a car.

As a bicyclist and motorcyclist, I do not ride in pack events for the simple
reason that it is nearly impossible to guage the abilities of the rider next
to you in a ride with novice to expert riders.


Ian

[ChrisJ]

As a regular contributor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, :clap. I definitely need to get up to Tahoe. Thanks for sharing the piccies (and eateries)!

[ehughes]

Very cool,

Looks like it was a nice ride Ian, you just have to love how blue that lake is. :thumb

[wxwax]

You know, I was going to respond earlier but I got confused: was this a bike ride or a motorcycle ride? :scratch Either way, thanks for the ride report. I was lucky enough to visit Tahoe a few times when I lived in Sacto, and it was truly beautiful.

[ian408]

You know, I was going to respond earlier but I got confused: was this a bike ride or a motorcycle ride? :scratch Either way, thanks for the ride report. I was lucky enough to visit Tahoe a few times when I lived in Sacto, and it was truly beautiful.

Both. For me, it was a motorcycle ride. For them, pedalling :D

Hey, thanks for the all too accurate wx forecast...I froze my tail off Monday :wxwax
I guess I should be grateful I wasn't the GS guy parked next to me at the hotel.
He left at 0600 and it was in the 20's. Thank goodness for electrics :D

Ian

[wxwax]

Both. For me, it was a motorcycle ride. For them, pedalling :D

Hey, thanks for the all too accurate wx forecast...I froze my tail off Monday :wxwax
I guess I should be grateful I wasn't the GS guy parked next to me at the hotel.
He left at 0600 and it was in the 20's. Thank goodness for electrics :D

Ian
No problemo, you're welcome. :D

As me on Sunday the forecast for tomorrow, I'll be dead accurate! :evil