You’ll find a strong biking community in Lake Tahoe. There are leisurely paths around Lake Tahoe leading to lakefront parks, shopping, restaurants and beaches. Mountain bikers will appreciate Lake Tahoe’s more adventurous mountain trails with unbelievable views. You’ll want to make sure you have the right bike for where you’re headed and you’ll be glad to have the right apparel and other tricks of the trade too.
Join us as we talk with John Percy, co-owner of Olympic Bike Shop, about how to have a fun and safe adventure biking in Lake Tahoe.
Where to Find Biking Gear
Olympic Bike Shop is the center of all things biking in Lake Tahoe and has been for the last 40 years. You can count on this spot for any biking gear you could possibly need, plus any repairs you might need on your own gear. They also have the largest rental fleet in the region chosen for their performance and durability, including brands like Specialized, Trek, Cannondale and Electra.
Olympic Bike Shop Picks
Match up the numbers in our biking collage to the must-have Olympic Bike Shop products below.
- 1: Gloves.
- 2: E-comfort bike rental.
- 3: Helmet.
- 4: Pack.
- 5: Trailer.
- 6: Mountain bike.
- 7: Pump.
Where to Bike in Lake Tahoe
Cruise along the West Lake Tahoe Bike Path for sites like the Hellman Ehrman Mansion and Sugar Pine Point Park, all the way up to Meeks Bay, where the path ends. It starts in Tahoe City and goes through several communities with lots of places to stop, eat, rent watercraft, camp or just relax along the shore.
Relaxing and beautiful, the Historic Truckee River Bike Path is a great one for all levels – kids included. There are lots of places to stop and take in nature and watch the hundreds of rafters who travel down the river. You can even take this path all the way to the entrance of Olympic Valley, where the 1960 Olympics were held.
Serious mountain bikers will definitely want to check out the Flume Trail up above Sand Harbor. This single-track trail will reward you with incredible views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Make a Clear Difference
While you’re taking in all the unique natural beauty, be sure not to leave anything behind.
There’s also a Tahoe trend for regenerative travel, where you not only sustain the area but leave it better than you found it. You could learn about the area at the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, participate in a cleanup or in gathering research, or just shopping local.
TART Connect is a very eco-friendly way to get around Lake Tahoe, especially for biking. It’ll take you all over the North Shore to different trails. You just download the app to your phone, and then you’re hooked up to a free curb-to-curb, on-demand shuttle service.
There are so many inviting places to stay in Lake Tahoe with several right on the shore for even easier access to the lake. You can also stay further up the mountain or in any of the 12 surrounding towns. Check out more know-before-you-go tips to help preserve Lake Tahoe.
