Truckee Insider’s Guide: “Mountain Biking for Every Rider”
This story was first published in the Truckee.com Insider’s Guide Magazine, Fall 2022. Read it here or below:
Spring may have the best mountain biking in Truckee, but fall runs a very close second. The weather has cooled, summer tourism has slowed, and brief rain showers pack down dusty trails. And while mountain biking used to be limited to a select few, today all types of riders can feel the rush of speeding through the pines on their own wheels.
For Adaptive Riders
Truckee Trails partnered with High Fives Foundation to offer a new adaptive Compass Skills Loop off the 06 Forest Service Road, across from the Sawtooth Trailhead. “It was built in a way so that everyone can come out and have a great time,” says Roy Tuscany, Founder of High Fives Foundation.
Designed by Steve Wentz of Momentum Trail Concepts, the all-inclusive design welcomes all levels of mountain bikers and was thoughtfully constructed to help improve skills, including for those using adaptive mountain bikes (aMTB). It’s five feet wide and offers a progression of fun features for everyone. The trail is a project of the Truckee Trails Foundation, sponsored by Visit Truckee-Tahoe's Sustainable Truckee initiative.
For Kids and Beginners
In the same area, off the Sawtooth Trailhead, jump on the new Gentle Jeffery Trail with your kids. This 1-mile, 2-way non-motorized gentle flat path is open to mountain bikes but is not meant for fast riding. The trail is a bit wider than a typical single-track trail, making it perfect for a slow meander through the Jeffery Pine forest with someone new to mountain biking, young kids, or your dog.
For Nature Lovers
For a jaw-dropping scenic fall ride through the changing aspens, pedal over to the lower portion of Tahoe Donner’s “Whoop it Up” single-track trail that winds through a magnificent aspen groves. It’s rated as a “blue” and easy trail, but go slow here—you’ll encounter hikers enjoying the golden leaves and you don’t want to miss the scenery.
For E-bikers
There are a number of single-track mountain biking trails available for those on E-bikes throughout the Truckee Ranger District.
The Tahoe National Forest allows Class 1, pedal assisted E-bikes on 35 miles of dirt trails, including the Emigrant Trail, Big Chief Trail, Sawtooth Trail, and Donkey Town and El Burro Trails (formerly known as Jackass Ridge Trails).
Class 1 (pedal assist only) E-bikes are also allowed on Tahoe Donner dirt roads as of September 17, 2021.
All three classes of E-bikes are permitted on Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails in the Tahoe National Forest.
Mountain Biking Etiquette
Only ride open trails. If there is a sign posted that a trail is closed, stay off it.
Mountain bikers defer to all other trail users—hikers, runners, horses and dogs.
Downhill riders must move over for uphill riders; they have the right-of-way.
Leave no trace and pack out your trash. If you have room, pick up trash found on the trail.
Sources:
https://truckeetrails.org/why-the-trend-in-e-bikes/