Itinerary

Elevation Range: 3,000 – 9,000 ft.

Day 1: Spooner Lake and The Flume

After a meet-up in Reno, we shuttle to 14,300-acre Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, at a heady 7874-ft elevation. After orientation and introductions, we commence our first ride—The Flume Trail. Talk about a perfect bomb voyage! Besides unparalleled views of Lake Tahoe, Flume packs in moderately challenging climbs along with exhilarating, descents down a bygone flume chute. Kicking off at Spooner Lake – northeast of Incline Village—we lock into a four- and-a-half mile long, 1000-foot climb into the Carson mountain range. From the 8157-ft. summit at Marlette Saddle, greeted by swaying Lodgepole pine, our routing segues into the Flume Trail. Now 1600-ft. above the blue-green jewel known as Lake Tahoe, but only a half-mile distant, we sweep past Marlette Lake. A three-mile, 1500-ft descent to Tunnel Creek Road ultimately ends at the trailhead. Our support van waits there; poised to shuttle a contented group of cyclists to their inspired après moment at Northstar Resort*, closing out their first day with no less than a High Country classic.
*Northstar: Hidden among the trees in the majestic Martis Valley in North Lake Tahoe, Northstar welcomes you! You will discover what makes this resort unforgettable, feels timeless, and where comfort is top priority. Here, you’ll enjoy a personalized blend of adventure and relaxation over acres of diverse terrain and world-class amenities, as well as
our Village with superb après, fine dining, and chic boutiques.
Total Mileage | 15 miles +1397ft | Inn | Northstar Resort Ritz Carlton (Luxury option)

Day 2: Northstar and Mt. Watson

Care to get wonderfully sidetracked? A big house of groove, the Northstar Mountain Resort folds plush singletrack into cross-country epics, wide-in-the-hips downhill into all manner of buff trail. Soon as the snow melts, Northstar seamlessly transitions into the largest, lift-access mountain bike park in Northern California. From an easy-on-the- joints pleasure cruise with the family, to a get-acquainted technical descent on Sticks N’ Stones, or the venerated Boondocks trail… or catching air on the rollers of Livewire and Gypsy, Northstar is an fantasy of fat tire riches: 33 trails in all. Our guides’ deep intimacy with the sweet spots, interpreting the best, purpose-built trails in the Sierras means out-of-this-world deliverables: an experience that maximizes every thrilling line and topographic variation.
Total Mileage | 18 miles + Inn | Northstar Resort Ritz Carlton (Luxury option)

Day 3: Downyville Downhill

A one-hour shuttle takes us to Downyville, California. An erstwhile gold mining settlement, Downyville comes across as cozy and inviting, if not absorbing for its rich history. Dropped into some of the most profound, if charismatic nature California has to offer, we gear up with our friends at Yuba and ride from the nearby Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin, routing along a series of epic trails. Descending from above 8000-ft to 3000-ft., the trails reflect a combo of mostly moderate, albeit spiced with some advanced segments. After a day of world-class downhill, in the heart of the Sierra’s, we trade the big outdoors for some equally pleasurable indoor experience at the *Nakoma Resort.
*Nakoma Resort -Located in Northern California, Nakoma Resort is a four-season treasure situated in the epicenter of a mountainous outdoor recreation Mecca—the Lost Sierra. Surrounded by 8,000-ft. peaks, more than two-dozen alpine lakes and thousands of acres of national forest, Nakoma is the perfect basecamp for world-class mountain biking. Nakoma features a one-of-a-kind Frank Lloyd Wright-designed clubhouse, a mountain-modern 42-room lodge and a 12,000-sqf-recreation center with a climbing gym, fitness studio, theater, heated pool, hot tub and more. Nakoma defines elevated adventure.
Total Mileage | 17-34miles +1180-3200 ft | Inn | Nakoma Resort

Day 4: Mt. Hough: Lost Sierra

Today we team up with our good friends at Nakoma Resort. From atop the 7,232-ft. summit of Mt. Hough (pronounced “huff”), we survey and way-find across the densely forested immensity that is the Lost Sierra region. After putting optics on pristine glacial lakes, broad alpine valleys and—on a bluebird day—Lassen Peak looming on the horizon, riders of all abilities will form smiles borne of a fast, flowy and outrageously fun downhill. Suffice to say, Mt. Hough Trail—packing nearly 4,000 feet of vertical descent, spread over 12-miles of purpose-built trail—is a Lost Sierra treasure of incalculable, out of this world value.
Total Mileage| 13 miles + 861-ft. Inn | Nakoma Resort

Day 5: Tahoe Rim Trail to Carson City

We go out with a Titan rocket-like bang, saving the Tahoe Rim classic for our finale. Kicking off at 8700-ft., our route sweeps from Incline Village up Tunnel Creek. Sweeping onto the Tahoe Rim, we gain the backcountry of Marlette Lake then along the old Red Flume. A true High Country epic, the Tahoe Rim trail lends big, spanning views not only
onto Lake Tahoe but Lake Washoe in Nevada, as well as the Carson Valley. From this vantage point, one can glimpse where the Sierras give way to the Great Basin, America’s largest desert. Pressing on, we sweep past Sunflower Hill, locked onto beautifully groomed sections of singletrack. Two-time national champ and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Max Jones first cleared this trail in 1987. Finishing on the far side of the mountains in handsome Carson City, we close out with a late lunch at a local landmark restaurant across from Nevada’s State Capitol. At approximately 4 p.m. we return to Reno, and bid each other farewell.
Total Mileage | 19 miles +2900 ft

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Lake Tahoe & the Lost Sierras singletrack

Casual Inn: Tamarack Lodge | Tahoe City, CA
The Tamarack Lodge has 21 rooms and cabins and nearly 250 full grown pine and fir trees on nearly four acres of land. This family-owned lodge features premium bedding and thick towels, quick access to the trailhead, a short walk from a quiet beach, a picnic area, creek, spring water on tap in your room, and an old outdoor fireplace.

Luxury Inn: The Ritz-Carlton Northstar Resort | Truckee, CA
Famed for its casual elegance, world-renowned service and slopeside amenities, The Ritz-Carlton boasts award-winning dining, a 5,183 square foot spa, and magnificent mid-mountain views. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, is the indisputable choice among discerning travelers in search of the quintessential laid-back, luxurious vacation. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is the first and only AAA Five Diamond mountain resort in California.

Included:

• Two Guides
• All meals (except where noted in the itinerary) snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Support Vehicle
• Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees,
• A mobile first aid
• Bike Maintenance
• Souvenir Shirt

Not included:

• Flights to and from the tour
• Night before and after the tour
• Gratuity guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2024: $ 3842.-pp single fee $720.-
Mountain bike rental: $ 380.-
Upgrade mountain bike $460.-
Tour dates 2024:
05 Aug – 09 Aug
19 Aug – 23 Aug
02 Sep – 06 Sep
16 Sep – 20 Sep

Conditions

Deposit $500.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.

Food is a big part of the experience. Our guides prepare all of your meals on our camping trips. Expect three delicious meals a day consisting entirely of freshly prepared foods. These include fresh organic fruits and vegetables as well as meats. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.