With crystal clear waters of the lake, breathtaking mountains and scenic views, numerous dining and entertainment hot spots, and world class hospitality it’s no wonder that Lake Tahoe is hosting the first two stages of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race again!  My husband and I are thrilled to make our way to Lake Tahoe next week to cover the team presentation as well as Stage 1 and 2 of the event! The routes will challenge 17 teams of the world’s top female cyclists, 9 of which are US-based. The Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease TM Women’s Race empowered with SRAM will include the overall start (May 11) and Stage 2 (May 12) on consecutive days. The competition will continue with Stage 3 in Elk Grove (May 13) and the finale in Sacramento (May 14) as the seven-day men’s Amgen Tour of California begins.

The 2017 Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race will Start in Lake Tahoe

Stage 1, presented by Breakaway from Heart Disease TM, of the race will start at Heavenly Mountain Resort.  The route will circle 72-mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe in a clockwise direction, passing through South Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Tahoe City. As the riders reach the north shore of Lake Tahoe, they will enter Nevada and ride through Incline Village. The stage will feature two sprints, 5,300’ of elevation gain and two Queen of the Mountain (QOM) climbs where riders will vie for a separate jersey for the lowest cumulative climb. The final climb will be a brutal ascent back to the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort.  Spectators can expect a select group of competitors fighting their way to the finish with riders coming in over the next 5-10 minutes trying to build a gap before going into Stage 2.

A new racecourse awaits for Stage 2, presented by Visit California, as the athletes tackle 67.1 miles and conquer the highest peak in event history. The racers will return to Heavenly Mountain Resort for the start, heading west and then south on CA-89. This will take them over the 7,740-foot summit of Luther Pass where they will contest the first of three QOMs for the stage followed by a quick descent into the spectacular Carson River Basin. The route will then take the riders on a loop through the Washoe Reservation before heading northeast into Nevada. A left turn will take them north on Kingsbury Grade. The “Grade” has never been attempted in any previous Amgen Tour of California stage. This is an 8-mile climb that gains 2,700’ in elevation. The second QOM will come at an elevation of 7,400’. The descent back to South Lake Tahoe will provide many beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The final QOM of the stage will await the riders at the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Fans can expect a group of 5-10 women fighting their way to the end with riders trailing in for the 15 minutes.

“We love that the tour continually works with us to provide new challenges for these elite women athletes to showcase Tahoe’s cycling appeal,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Tahoe South and our partners welcome back the cyclists and anticipate another exhilarating competition.” “For more than a decade, the Amgen Tour of California has played a vital role to Golden State travel, both in driving visitation and in focusing the eyes of the international cycling community on diverse destinations beyond the gateways,” says Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “Since 2006, Visit California has been thrilled to partner with AEG on this one-of- a-kind event, which takes riders, spectators and viewers alike on a whirlwind tour that spans sun-soaked beaches, evergreen mountains, and everything in between, further showcasing the immense scope of all that California has to offer.”

Where to Stay in South Lake Tahoe

If you’re thinking about heading to Tahoe to check out the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race, here are a few perfect locations at Stateline to consider:

Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel on the California side, this family-friendly resort has it all from happy hour and snacks, to an indoor swimming pool and spa, full hot breakfast in the mornings, and within walking distance to all that Stateline has to offer!  Read my Lake Tahoe Resort review.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe hotel and casino has all the action, adventure, relaxation, and entertainment you need for the perfect Tahoe escape at a great price.

Stay at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe get a view of the lake from some rooms, enjoy the heated pool year-round, or buy tickets for a comedy show at the Improv!

Montbleu Casino & Spa offer luxury accommodations with a full-service spa.

Follow along on my social media channels next week as I explore the world of cycling in beautiful Lake Tahoe.  Visit, http://amgentourofcalifornia.com to learn more about the women’s and men’s races, follow on their social media channels and download the app for up-to-the-minute coverage of the 2017 Amgen Tour of California!