We rolled out of the hotel parking lot at 7:00 AM. It was another beautiful, crisp morning in the Sierra foothills. Today's ride was one that I have actually done previously. About 15 years ago two other buddies and I rode from Walnut Creek, CA to the west shore of Lake Tahoe in 2 days. We rode this same route. It was a challenge back then, and I knew it would be an even more significant challenge now that I'm 62.
We climbed up into the mountains from Auburn through small towns and little ponds and lakes on beautiful winding backroads. Then at around mile 40, we got on Highway 80 for a few hours of climbing to the second SAG stop at Blue Canyon around Nyack. After refilling water bottles and reapplying sunscreen, we resumed our climb up Highway 80. At Cisco Grove, we followed Donner Pass road up to the third and final SAG stop at Soda Springs, about 2 miles from Donner Pass. From there we rode past Sugar Bowl Ski Resort and down the Old Donner Road into Truckee and our hotel. The view from the top of Old Donner Road is spectacular as you look down on Donner Lake and the surrounding mountains, many with snow on them. I've been up in the Tahoe area a good deal over the past 30 years, and the beauty of this place never ceases to rejuvenate my spirit and replenish my soul.
Everyone in our group seemed to drink in just how special this place is. Most of them have never been here before. We all took pictures at the top of Donner Road, I'll post them later today.
I'm writing this early Thursday morning because after dinner last night I was too beat to write anything. As I read it back, it's a pretty serious post. Perhaps that's because it was a pretty strenuous ride with almost 8600 feet of climbing, one that tested everyone's endurance and will power. Today it's on to Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe, up to Mt. Rose and then down to Sparks, NV. What a trip.
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