[bullit71]

Was going to Downieville weekend of July 28th, but just realized that dville classic that weekend. What about Tahoe area? Is there good camping/ mtn bike riding around there? I plan on taking my wife, so the trails would have to be beginner/intermediate.

Any ideas?

We'd like to camp also.

 

[singlespeed.org]

There are a variety of campsites around the lake. I've tayed at various ones down on the south west side of the lake - all were decent.

On rides, a can't miss for you and the missus would be the Flume. Start at Spooner Lake and ride over to the other lake (name is slipping me). Hang a kleft and follow the trail around the lake. When you get to the dam, you are at the start of the flume. Ride out as far as you want (to the end if you and she are feeling up to it), then come back ghe same route. There is a steep climb to get over the pass between the lakes, but that is really the only major climbing (besides the reverse when you come back). There also is a shuttle that you could do, but I have never done it, so can't give details.

Here's direction from the XC Skiing web site (same place as where you would start this ride).

Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area (Red Star on the map) is located 1/2 mile on Highway 28 from Highway 50 on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

It is 12 miles to the North from the Stateline Casinos in South Lake Tahoe and 10 miles to the West on HW 50 from Carson City.

 

[Wherewolf]

Try this

Try this: http://arnica.csustan.edu/mtbike
I don't camp.

 

[Ebo]

Check out Sugarpine Point campground on the west side. Availability at Reserveamerica.com. Real nice beach across the street. Some good mellow trails on the backside of the campground. There is also a paved trail that leads all the way to Tahoe City. I would be a little leary taking a beginner/intermediate on the Flume trail. If your wife is fit and more towards an intermediate, then sure. Lots of fun and great views. Also try TahoeRimTrail.org for other ideas.

 

[Ebo]

You might also try Fallen Leaf lake campground on the south end. They operate on a first come, first served basis. Most others use a reservation system and are probably filled. Good luck and happy trails.

 

[HarryCallahan]

I'd second the Fallen Leaf campground. There are fun little trails between the campground and the lake you could play around on, and it is a very pretty area.

The climb from Spooner Lake to Marlett Lake is a grind; not technically challenging, just steep at altitude. I did the Flume last summer. Mostly it is not tough, but you do have to watch the trail and not the scenery. The fire road descent back to the lake (Tahoe) needs to be handled with some caution. My friend and I rode the shuttle back; it was about $12 and a nice amenity.

I don't know about current conditions, but for fun easy rides, I'd check out Paige Meadows above Sunnyside at the north shore. It's a beautiful area, a series of linked meadows connected by a trail network. If you are ambitious, you can do a loop from there to Alpine Meadows, then back to Tahoe City via the Truckee River bike path