Lake Tahoe Cycling Opportunities: Amgen Tour and much more

Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race

Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev. – Olympic skiers and snowboarders proudly call Lake Tahoe their home, reinforcing the caliber of diverse and challenging terrain available.

This spring, Lake Tahoe spins beyond winter sports as Lake Tahoe will host the first two stages of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race empowered with SRAM, May 8-9, 2015.

For the first time, top women’s cycling teams from around the world will vie to be crowned the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race winner, a three-stage cycling competition with the first two in Lake Tahoe. The start and finish line for both stages will be at Heavenly Mountain Resort’s California Main Lodge. The debut is part of the 10th anniversary edition of the Amgen Tour of California, and the first three-day women’s stage race of its kind in South Lake Tahoe.

Several women’s teams are training and acclimating to the altitude, including the BMW presented by Happy Tooth Dental team that has been in the region for the past week.

“The gorgeous sunny weather makes the road conditions ideal for training,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Seeing the athletes in our community builds the enthusiasm for hosting the event as well as the sport.”

The destination continues to attract major cycling competitions. North Lake Tahoe has been selected to host USA Cycling’s Amateur and Para-Cycling Road National Championships in 2015 and 2016. The five-day event includes individual and tandem time trials, road races and a criterium. The event draws more than 1,000 participants, and thousands of spectators, family members and friends.

North Lake Tahoe’s selection for USA Cycling National Championships is a result of hosting the inaugural IRONMAN competition in September 2013, and reinforces the region’s appeal for national and international endurance events. The Ironman Lake Tahoe and Ironman Lake Tahoe 70.3 will continue to test athletes’ strength and will power, Sept. 20, 2015.

“Hosting this prestigious national race at North Lake Tahoe will be a true win-win for everyone involved,” said Andy Chapman, chief marketing officer for the Incline Village Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Renown for its spectacular mountain vistas and crystal clear lake, Lake Tahoe’s setting is the perfect environment for athletes to both push themselves and to relax and rejuvenate post-race. We look forward to a great race this year as well as 2016.”