If you have ever thought of riding in Tahoe you have probably heard all about the famous Flume Trail. It's a great ride with some incredible view of the lake and the Sierra mountains, but if you've done the loop you know that there is a ton of pavement climbing and the trail isn't the most challenging. It's still a definite must do if your going to spend a weekend or more there, but if you are going to only get one day of riding, you should climb aboard your bike and do Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. It's the local's favorite and offers the same high quality views as the Flume, only the trail itself is packed with changing and challenging terrain.

The first thing to do when you go down to Tahoe is go to a shop on the California side because that is where the ride itself is. The reason you should go to the shop is to bribe the mechanic or salesperson on duty with their favorite libation in return for info on where to park so you can end up right back at your car and not have to ride through the town. It's not a well kept secret and just ask about tying the Rim Trail into the ride. You're basically coming at Mr. Toads from the backside and putting a few more miles of trail into the mix. It also lets you climb on a fire road and singletrack combo that keeps you away from the famed Tahoe traffic.

Once you've properly acquired the right directions drive up to the trail head and get geared up for the ride. You're at altitude, so bring lots of water and throw in a jacket cause even if its sunny it can get pretty cool up at the rim. You're gonna want to take your time unless you want to suck all the pine needles off the beautiful Ponderosas you'll be climbing through on the way up the fire road to the singletrack. Eventually the road turns to gravel (it was gated, so there shouldn't be any cars), and you'll look for a trail off to your right. You'll climb this fairly technical and very pristine trail up through the trees and onto the Rim Trail, which sits at about 9,000 feet and above tree line for the most part. What trees are up there are pretty gnarled and you feel like you are on the surface of the moon. There aren't many plants and the lack of oxygen definitely makes you feel like you must have left the atmosphere. When you're up there take in the views and prepare yourself for the downhill of your life.

I don't really know if I can do the descent justice by describing it in words. Like all great rides you walk away from it full of emotion and on a huge high but it really defies being expressed in a way that does it justice. You descend forever, all the while changing from slow and technical to fast and sweeping. The soil goes from decomposed granite to rocky to loamy to sandy to a forest floor of silent pine needles and every combination of the above. You drop through what seems like and endless number of climates and types of vegetation. Best of all the trail finished on a old fire road filled full of water bar jumps that egg you to really let it hang out and one up your riding buddies.

Finish back at the car and immediately start on the hyperbole and swapping of post ride lies with your pals. It will be one of those rare times when every exaggeration will seem true and your perma grins will have to be wiped off with a belt sander.