I didn’t know it going in, but the September 2015 Ironman Lake Tahoe would be the last installation of this incredible endurance test. The conditions and course were simply deemed “too challenging” for the athletes, so after only three years of bringing it to the Tahoe area, the Ironman said goodbye.
I had volunteered as motorcycle support each year the race was held. In its inaugural year of 2013, I had to dropout only two weeks before the race as I had two broken toes and I just couldn’t slip a boot on. The second year, the entire basin was consumed by heavy smoke and ash from the arson initiated King Fire that had burnt for days…a tragic blow to the area that scorched over 97,000 acres and, ultimately, would result in the cancellation of the race just minutes before it was scheduled to start.
The 2014 Moto Check In & Lineup | My Bumblebee (Orange Helmet)
Since the 2014 race was cancelled, a handful of the motorcycle crew decided not to claim the day as a complete loss and to enjoy an impromptu ride to Virginia City, NV where we would have brunch. From there, three of us would break off and ride south through Carson City, NV. Carl had a gorgeous K1300, Mike was on a nimble but solid GS800 and I rode the bee. We passed Topaz Lake and headed into Markleeville, CA before swinging back up along the west shore of Lake Tahoe where I would say goodbye to the guys and make my way back to Kings Beach, CA.
Impromptu Moto Tour 2014
Finally, in 2015, I was able to ride support, carrying a judge throughout the bicycle course. After the brisk swim in the lake at Kings Beach, the triathletes would mount their bicycles and head west on Lake Blvd. toward Squaw Valley, then north to Truckee. After a few twists and turns through Truckee, the bicyclists would head south toward Kings Beach, over the abrupt climb of Brockway Summit (elevation 7,179′) to complete one loop. Those riding the FULL Ironman would repeat the same route (yes, 2 laps) and then extend beyond Kings Beach by finishing their ride at Squaw Valley. A total of 112 bicycling miles, to be followed by a marathon. The weather was beautiful, the experience was fulfilling and, sadly, it would soon become a fond memory.
Lake Tahoe Bicycle Course Map 2015 (courtesy Ironman Lake Tahoe)
Bicycles at Kings Beach | Day Before Race Day 2015
And while the 2015 race was fulfilling from a volunteer and enjoyment perspective, I was able to carve out a day after the race where I could enjoy a relaxing ride back home, to the Bay Area. That Monday morning, I left our cabin in Kings Beach, CA and took a nice, quick ride up to Truckee, CA where I always make a mandatory coffee stop at one of my all time favorite cafes, Coffeebar (located at: 10120 Jibboom St, Truckee, CA). Truckee is a great community and boasts a true ‘locals’ feel. The Coffeebar is a chill destination where the townsfolk stumble in for a little caffeine and treats pamper, the chance to socialize amongst one another and, best of all, enjoy a parade of dogs who join their human soul mates. After basking and sipping in the morning sun, and giving a good ear scrub to many of the dogs, I jumped on my bike and decided to take the Old Donner Summit Road (in lieu of the standard Interstate 80 ride over Donner Summit). The day was glorious and the road was a welcome layout of switchbacks to the summit. Decades ago, this was THE road that got folks over the summit and under bad weather conditions, it would definitely bring a white knuckle factor to many a driver…and passenger. But on this day, I was able to enjoy the ride to the top, worry free. In fact, I was a little excited about the fact that the bike and I were very close to breaking 10,000 miles. You might recall from a previous post that I had purchased the bike with a newly replaced odometer, so all the miles represented on the odo are indicative of our time together. I pulled over just before the summit and stole a couple of pictures as I was about to crack the 10,000th mile.
9,999
Old Donner Summit Rd Vista | Donner Lake
What a feeling. The chance to reflect, to enjoy the milestone and be astutely aware as to how much I relished the boundless sense of freedom, exploration and play.
And it didn’t end there. Amazingly, as I left the vista and carefully watched my odometer turn over to 10,000 miles, I was shocked when it actually happened as I hit the summit. Of course it did. It couldn’t be any more perfect than that. It was only 11a and this was taking shape to be a great day. And I still had about 200 miles of riding ahead of me.
I continued on Old Donner Summit Rd until it re-connected with Interstate 80. Along the way a number of homes would peek from behind the endless trees built near the shores of the South Yuba River. Once on the 80, I would target the next junction: Highway 20. This road would take me on a 45 minute ride through an endless corridor of trees and some incredible vistas, before landing in Nevada City, CA, a charming and well kept historic town in California’s Sierra Foothills with a rich history.
Link to the Town of Nevada City, CA
http://www.nevadacityca.gov/
Highway 20 West to Nevada City, CA
I stopped in Nevada City to eat a protein bar, enjoy some fruit and pound some water. The temperature was starting to spike a bit and I knew that it would only get hotter as I approached the greater Sacramento area.
I decided to avoid the 80 as much as possible and continued east on the 20 towards Marysville and Yuba City. From there, I would drop south onto the 99 for a few miles before turning right onto Oswald Rd. The goal, if it wasn’t apparent by now, was to avoid the main highways as much as possible and sneak a peek at some of the back roads of the area…or maybe it was simply to stay on the bike for as long as i could, knowing that the day of riding would have to come to an end at some point. Maybe a little of both.
Oswald Rd would soon connect with Route 113 (S George Washington Blvd) where i turned left to head south to Knights Landing, a blink of a town straddling the Sacramento River. I continued on the 113 through some wide open country until I started to eye the familiar sounds of the Interstate. The sun was dropping and I did need to get home, so I punted on the rest of the back country tour which would have led me to Clear Lake before dropping back into the Bay Area. Instead, I jumped on the 80 in Davis, CA to the 37 in Vallejo, CA where I stopped for a final picture of the day in front of the Napa River Bridge. Only 30 miles to the house, from here.
End of A Great Day | Napa River Bridge, Vallejo CA
By the time I got home, I was saddle worn, sun toasted and high as a kite. I had spent a total of 6 hours on the bike, logging 227 miles, and left hungry for more. Needless to say, the bike performed beautifully. What a steed.
227 Miles | 09 21 15
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