TRUCKEE AREA

• Emigrant Trail – beginner/intermediate, 19 miles out-and-back
This popular mountain bike trail sees plenty of weekend traffic, especially early in the season before other popular trails melt off, but it’s a worthy ride for people of all ability levels. You’ll see plenty of wildflowers in spring and early summer while you roll along over fun and fast single track. A bonus is the half-way point at Stampede Reservoir where a cool dip makes a refreshing treat on a hot day.
Getting there: Follow Highway 89 north out of Truckee approximately three miles from Interstate 80 (exit 188A). Park in the dirt lot on the right, just after the bridge over Prosser Creek.


• Sawtooth Ridge Trail – intermediate, many distances
This area has seen an explosion in new trails in the past couple of years and with good reason. An intermediate rider’s dream, there are dozens of miles in this network of trails that spans from Truckee to Tahoe City. From the trail head, follow the singletrack to a vista point offering views of the Truckee River, Squaw Valley and Highway 89. Continue on the trail to Sawtooth Ridge Road, cross the road to continue on the trail before reaching a sign that says 2 Beavers and a Bear and Two Bridges. Make a nice loop by starting toward 2 Beavers and a Bear and finishing on the Two Bridges trail (there are actually three bridges).
Getting there: From Brockway Road, turn on Palisades Drive at the 7-Eleven. Turn right on Silver Fir and left on Thelin. Park in the lot past the green gate on Forest Service Road 06.


LAKE TAHOE AREA

• North Tahoe Nordic Center – beginner/intermediate, many trails/distances
A convenient sampler with potential for more: Pick some distinct landmarks and create your own loop on this easygoing network of trails, or make your way to the Fiberboard Freeway for more. From the trail head, follow the main trail to the water tank and pedal on, across two dirt roads and straight onto a narrower trail. Climb to the dirt road and turn left, descending for a quarter mile. Look for a singletrack diagonally up to the right, stay right again and then left back onto a well-traveled singletrack. Stay right as you traverse up to the Fiberboard Freeway. For more, climb the pavement a few miles and link with Painted Rock or the Rim Trail.
Getting there: From Tahoe City, head a few miles east of Tahoe City on 28, left at top of the hill on Fabian Way, quick right on Village. Follow signs to Nordic Center on Country Club Drive.


• North Tahoe Regional Park – beginner/intermediate, 8+ miles of trails
This 125-acre park contains many trails including the 300-foot climb on the North Ridge trail, the highest in the park. Maps and difficulty ratings are posted. Unsigned singletrack paths wind throughout park, with several trails extending into adjoining USDA Forest Service land. A 1.2 mile paved bike path follows the lower east end of park to Highway 267, and connects to the Tahoe Rim Trail on Regency Way at Brockway Summit.
Getting there: Take Highway 28 to National Avenue, then take a left on Donner Road.

If you’re considering buying your first mountain bike, or if you’re looking to get back into the sport after a few years away, you’ll probably be amazed at the technological advances available on two wheels.

How much you decide to pay for a bike should be determined by how aggressively you plan to ride. Components that are designed to withstand repeated punishment will be reflected in the price tag.

In the last few years, bike manufacturers have reduced the weight of full-suspension bikes and they’ve developed lock-out systems that allow the rider to disengage the rear shock, on the fly, when it’s time to climb. They’ve also made the bikes more affordable.

And no discussion of mountain biking is complete without the mention of the importance of wearing a helmet. In fact, a helmet shouldn’t even be considered an accessory.