Tahoe City-Truckee Gravel Grinder

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This ride is a big loop suitable for mountain bikes, 'cross bikes, and modern adventure bikes (drop bar bikes running fat tires and disc brakes). This ride can be started in either Tahoe City or Truckee.

We do this ride from our home on the West Shore and start with the fast spin to Truckee along the Truckee River Bike Path and Hwy 89 (think easy 20+ mph spin to warm up). Then we make our way to the 06 Road, Sawtooth Trail, and do a long, scenic climb to Starret Pass. If you have mountain bikes, there are a number of great singletrack options to drop back into Tahoe City. (We rode this on our adventure bikes and chose less technical trails to finish the ride).

From the 64-acres parking area, you'll jump onto the Truckee River Bike Path for an easy spin to Squaw Valley. From Squaw Valley, continue on Hwy 89 for another fast spin to River Road in Truckee. Hwy 89 has wide shoulders and is a popular road bike route. You can blast along at 20-25 mph+ here, and it is a great warmup to a long climb.

Take River Road into downtown Truckee and make a right turn onto Old Brockway Road. The spur shown on the GPS tracks leads to the water fountain/bathrooms in the park where you'll want to fill up before you turn onto Palisades Road for the climb through the neighborhood to the 06 Road.

Follow the bike route on surface streets through the neighborhood to the start of the 06 Road and the Sawtooth Trail parking area. Take the first half of the Sawtooth Trail until it crosses over the 06 Road. You can also skip Sawtooth and head straight up the 06 Road if you want to keep the ride a bit shorter. Sawtooth can be ridden with 'cross bikes, but does have some rocky sections.

When you cross the 06 Road, make a right turn and begin climbing up toward the Fibreboard Freeway - Brockway to Tahoe City. It's a long, pleasant climb with a few steep pitches and great views north into Squaw Valley and the Pacific Crest.

Turn right onto the paved Fibreboard Freeway - Brockway to Tahoe City and continue along it until you reach a switchback. Make a left turn onto a dirt road for 100 yards and make a right turn onto the Tahoe Rim Trail - Brockway Summit to Tahoe City for about 1 mile of easy singletrack descending.

When you cross the pavement again, make a left onto the Fibreboard Freeway - Brockway to Tahoe City once again and descend until you reach The Great Ski Race trail (aka Whoops Trail). Make a left onto The Great Ski Race trail and descend on the rollers into Burton Creek State Park. You'll make your way across the easy fire road connectors back to Tahoe City from here. Note that there are numerous unmarked intersections and options here. If you get lost, just head toward the lake. Most options eventually dump into the neighborhoods in Tahoe City or Dollar Point.

Enjoy!