The Tour De Nez is an infamous cycling race and “festival” that’s been going on for almost 20 years in Northern Nevada.
But the TDN is far more than just a sporting event. In addition to the pro races, time trials, and a national handcycling championship time trial, the Tour offers an event for everyone from your average-Joe cycling enthusiast standing on the sidelines of the Tour of California, to the PBR-guzzling, beach cruising riders who could care less what brand your bike is, they just want to ride, and even delivers participation opportunities to families on the lookout for healthy outdoor activities to do together.
A 3 day-long event, the Tour makes two stops in Nevada and showcases the rowdy and friendly atmosphere of Reno and Sparks, NV. It all gets underway at the Northstar-at-Tahoe resort in Lake Tahoe, offering spectators breathtaking mountainous scenery to take in, as well as dining and outdoor activity opportunities for the whole family.
Modeled after legendary European Kermesse races, which incorporate professional cycling into 100-year-old festivals, the Tour de Nez has grown to be an important stop on the professional cycling circuit, and now attracts many of the top U.S. professional cycling teams including: UnitedHealthcare (formerly Health Net), Kelly Benefit Strategies, Bissell, Jelly Belly and Fly V Australia.
During the Tour de Nez, spectators have the chance to watch intense start-to-finish cycling action – with Pro, Masters, Women’s and Handcycle divisions – on the streets of downtown Reno on Friday, June 18, followed by more racing through the narrow streets of the Village at Northstar Resort on Saturday. In addition, road cyclists can take in Lake Tahoe’s breathtaking scenery on one of the supported recreational rides, while mountain bikers can tackle some of Northstar’s 100-plus miles of cross-country and downhill mountain bike trails.
“We have a number of short, fun rides with the pros,” said Tour de Nez founder and Race Director Tim Healion, “and the festivals include live music, and big parties every day. So you can ride your bike all day in the Sierra, then watch a killer bike race and party all night.”
And while cycling takes center stage during the Tour de Nez weekend, there is also world-class shopping, dining and entertainment right in the heart of the Village at Northstar, as well as fun options for kids and families going on all weekend long.
Lodging packages catering to Tour de Nez spectators are available at Northstar Resort, as well as in Reno, and cycling enthusiasts are encouraged to register early for the Ride With the Pros breakfast/ride on Sunday following the weekend of racing.
Located just six miles from the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and downtown Truckee, Calif., and featuring a beautiful new mountain village with year-round activities and amenities, Northstar Resort is an ideal location not only for the Tour de Nez, but for downhill and cross-country mountain bikers and road cyclists alike. There are several great road bike rides near Northstar Resort that provide great views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Additionally, Northstar Resort offers more than 100 miles of trails for downhill and cross-country mountain bikers looking for a challenging ride. For lodging packages and more information, visit http://www.NorthstarAtTahoe.com.
For more about Lake Tahoe resorts, visit www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate
–Karen Rubin, Editor & Publisher, Travel Features Syndicate
