Fitness * Street * Slalom * Artistic *

From Interstate 80 near Truckee, exit south on State Highway 89 and continue south for seven miles. One mile past the entrance to Squaw Valley USA, the Alpine Meadows sign on the right marks the beginning of Alpine Meadows Road. Pull to the right side of 89 and park on the gravel shoulder next to the bike path near the intersection with Alpine Meadows Road.

Map: Recreation Map of Lake Tahoe, Tom Harrison Cartography,

2 Falmouth Cove, San Rafael, CA 94901-4465; (415) 456-7940.

Appropriately enough, Alpine Meadows Road is a favorite Tahoe skiers' cross-training location. Even though it gets plowed and sanded all winter long, the pavement surface is surprisingly smooth, and the off-season car traffic is fairly low. These are important considerations in a place where an 800-foot descent over three miles can easily build skating speeds of up to 40 miles an hour. If you aren't in excellent condition, consider having a friend drop you off at the ski area parking lot on top, because tired legs will limit your speed-control capabilities on the way down. In any case, you should be prepared to handle fast skating and be comfortable sharing the road with cars without benefit of a bike lane.

Start up Alpine Meadows Road by crossing the bridge next to the River Ranch. Climb the first steep section as you pass the little shopping center and condominiums near the intersection with Highway 89. Now the road is relatively flat, winding gradually up past a stable and the maintenance yard. Cross the narrow bridge to begin the second hard climb. From here on, most of the scenery is alpine forests with homes scattered among the trees. The hillside on the right is an active wintertime avalanche zone, but during summer a trailhead allows hikers to enjoy the pine forest and rocky slopes. Just beyond the trail head, the final climb awaits, with a snaking turn thrown in.

On the way back down, the three steeper sections of road will require good technique, along with judicious application of the heel brake. Make sure to keep tight control on the hill down the snaking turn, where you won't be able to see oncoming traffic. The remainder of the descent is manageable with consistent slalom turns and a rest stop or two.

• Truckee River Bike Trail