Getting some exercise, seeing the sights or catching a quick adrenaline rush are all valid reasons for going on a bike ride, as is a guilt-free, post-ride beer or cocktail. Luckily, Lake Tahoe offers plenty of options for both riding and relaxing. Here are a couple picks for post-ride libations around the lake:

River Ranch/Tahoe City

The Truckee River Bike Trail between the turnoff to Squaw Valley on State Route 89 and Tahoe City provides a mellow, paved pedal that offers plenty of Sierra scenery. As an added bonus, the popular river trail has a few watering holes close by to keep your headset properly lubricated. River Ranch Lodge and Restaurant has a deck that provides a perfect spot to watch a summer afternoon pass by and Tahoe City has more than a few bars and restaurants that will accommodate you after a journey of any length. Try Bridgetender Tavern & Grill, at 65 W. Lake Blvd., for classic American fare and more than a dozen beers on tap. More information is available at http://www.tahoebridgetender.com.

Tunnel Creek CafE

Tunnel Creek Cafe sits adjacent to the Flume Trail trailhead, which provides access to several popular rides for mountain bikers at Lake Tahoe. The cafe offers coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, shuttles to area trailheads and mountain bikes for rent. It also offers several beers on tap and a wide selection of bottles for your post-ride pleasure. The café is located at 1115 Tunnel Creek Road in Incline Village. More information is available at http://www.tunnelcreekcafe.com.

Stateline

With its casino towers and busy thoroughfare, South Shore’s casino corridor doesn’t necessarily seem like a cyclist’s playground, but there are a few options if you know where to look. Van Sickle Trail connects mountain bikers to the Tahoe Rim Trail via a trailhead that sits adjacent to the southwest corner of Heavenly Village. On the Nevada side of the state line, the Lam Watah trail offers a family-friendly ride to the beach, all within biking distance of dozens of bars, restaurants and entertainment. If you can’t find something to do at Stateline after a ride, you’re probably not trying very hard.

The Beacon Bar and Grill

During the summer, Camp Richardson is a hub of bicycling activity at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. One can find ambitious road cyclists making their way up to the always-astonishing Emerald Bay, and the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is a classic paved path for all ability levels that runs through the area. If you’re looking for an adult beverage after a ride, try a Rum Runner from The Beacon Bar and Grill. It’s a blend of tropical fruit juice, nectars and rum that can be made blended or on the rocks. You may want to keep it to one, as they do pack a punch. More information is available at http://www.camprichardson.com.

Meyers

The closest spot to South Shore’s newly improved Corral Trail, the unincorporated area of Meyers offers a selection of options for sating a cyclist’s cravings. Verde Mexican Restaurant, Bob Dog Pizza and The Divided Sky are among the eateries in the area just below Echo Pass. The Corral Trail provides mountain biking for a variety of skill levels and is about three miles from Meyers. Also, the area will show its love for singletrack when it hosts the fourth annual Meyers Mountain Bike Festival Aug. 13-14. More information is available at http://www.restaurantmeyersca.com, http://www.bobdogpizza.com, http://www.thedividedsky.com and http://www.meyersmtb.com.

Downtown Truckee

Downtown Truckee is a great stop just about any time of year. All manner of bars and restaurants greet cyclists along the town’s historic main drag, Donner Pass Road. It’s hard to go wrong, but if you’re looking for a post-ride brew after hitting the nearby Sawtooth Trail, try the Mellow Fellow for an extensive selection of beers on tap. There are just about as many options there as ways to bike at Lake Tahoe. More information at http://www.mellowfellowpub.com.