KYBURZ TO TRUCKEE – 111 MILES

Take a journey back in time as you ride part of the original Pony Express Trail just outside of Kyburz. Ice House Road comes next, with paved banked turns as the route travels around the Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe. The original road to the Sacramento Valley leads past Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a homestead from the 1840’s that once welcomed pioneers, and is now a watering hole and campground.

Broken pavement and dirt roads with a few challenging rocky sections lead down to French Meadow Reservoir. From there, you’ll ride incredible two-track as it climbs up and over the mountains towards Truckee, and a stunning paved section over Donner Pass. Walk through the tunnels hand-carved through Sierra Granite by Chinese immigrants to complete the Transcontinental Railroad, and stop at Donner Memorial State Park. The infamous Donner Party was stranded here in the winter of 1846 after encountering deep snow and resorted to cannibalism to survive. Hopefully you’ve packed enough snacks and won’t have to do the same.