Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway makes steady progress

Posted to the Tahoe Daily Tribune August 7, 2008 Originally by Greyson Howard / Sierra Sun

A new path paralleling the Truckee River slowly is connecting Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake - giving cyclists a way to move freely up- and downstream.The Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway will span 116 miles and descend more than 2,000 feet from the Lake Tahoe Basin, through Truckee and on to Pyramid Lake, connecting existing roads and trails along the way. While work is progressing smoothly in Nevada, climbing the Truckee River Canyon in California has proven a greater challenge for trail advocates.

"We've picked the low-hanging fruit. Most of the recent progress has been out east. We're about finished with the Pyramid section," said Janet Phillips, president of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway. "It will be difficult between Verdi and Glenshire; it's all private, and we haven't gotten permission yet."

With the challenges of land ownership, Phillips said she is in talks with Caltrans and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority to see if she can work within the Interstate 80 and old water flume's right-of-ways.  "I really hope we can start at least one section in 2009. The whole thing will be a five- or 10-year effort," Phillips said.

To learn more, go to www.tpbikeway.org.