One of the topics that I’ve been committing to covering since I became only the third owner of Tahoe Weekly in 2013, is the issue of opening and providing more public access to our public lands in the Tahoe Sierra. From providing better trailhead parking, transportation to trailheads and the larger issue of opening more trails and expanding trail access to all users from ADA accessible trails to motorized and nonmotorized trails. In this edition, Sean McAlindin looks at the recent Tahoe National Forest decision to open 35 miles of its trail system to Class 1 e-bikes (e-bikes that require pedal assist).
There are passionate arguments made on both sides of whether or not to open trails to allow e-bike access on trails. When Sean asked for people’s opinions on the issue in a post on the Truckee Tahoe People Facebook group, he received 216 comments, many sharing their concerns, constructive comments and some unique perspectives, all mixed with a bit of vitriol.
The Tahoe National Forest is one of the first districts in the nation to open trail access to e-bikes, with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit now looking at allowing trail access to e-bikes with an environmental analysis on the proposed plans due out later this year. Read more about these plans in Sean’s latest feature on public access “E-bike trail access expands.”
Among those mountain bikers now enamored with e-bikes is our own Priya Hutner, who recently joined Dennis and Rachel Elste of Bike Truckee on her first e-bike trail ride. She shares her experience riding Happy Face in her feature “Electric mountain bikes for beginners.”
The grand “Thunderbird”
One of the most breathtaking sights on Lake Tahoe is when the “Thunderbird” yacht glides across the waters of Big Blue from her home on the East Shore. I’ve also had the privilege of riding on “Thunderbird,” and that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Still, each time I see her, I’m in awe of her power and beauty.
This grand lady celebrates her 80th birthday this month and Thunderbird Tahoe’s Bill Watson shares the history of this historic craft in this edition. Some tours of the estate where you can see “Thunderbird” are also being offered this summer.
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