I
ian408
Guest
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.
I rode around the lake twice and up and done the Nevada side a couple of
times for a total of 210 miles. All told, a little over 800 there, around
and back.
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.
The ride home was cold. By 0830, it was still in the 30's and windy. I didn't
take my electric vest off until I was in Coloma. I didn't envy the GS driver
who started up at 0600 and headed off (ps. CO plates on an yellow 1150 at the
Econlodge in South Lake Tahoe).
A few pictures.
All good road trips usually start with a good meal. I like to start at Kal's.
Good meal, reasonable price.
Looking back toward Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe--look at all that snow!
A shot from the finish area.
On the ride home, I stopped at Coloma. It's a State Park dedicated to the
discovery of Gold. Just an obligatory bike pic.
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!
If you've not done an event like this, it is a lot of riding. Some of it
slow. But it was fun and should I be asked again, I would do it again.
Ian
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.
I rode around the lake twice and up and done the Nevada side a couple of
times for a total of 210 miles. All told, a little over 800 there, around
and back.
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.
The ride home was cold. By 0830, it was still in the 30's and windy. I didn't
take my electric vest off until I was in Coloma. I didn't envy the GS driver
who started up at 0600 and headed off (ps. CO plates on an yellow 1150 at the
Econlodge in South Lake Tahoe).
A few pictures.
All good road trips usually start with a good meal. I like to start at Kal's.
Good meal, reasonable price.
Looking back toward Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe--look at all that snow!
A shot from the finish area.
On the ride home, I stopped at Coloma. It's a State Park dedicated to the
discovery of Gold. Just an obligatory bike pic.
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!
If you've not done an event like this, it is a lot of riding. Some of it
slow. But it was fun and should I be asked again, I would do it again.
Ian
And For A Great Cause.....Thanks For Sharing..... 
