Bike the West’s 13th annual Tour de Tahoe — Bike Big Blue ride is this Sunday, Sept. 11. The all-day ride begins at 6:45 a.m. and participants will travel the 72-mile distance around Lake Tahoe.

“This is your chance to ride around Lake Tahoe at summer’s end, offering fresh mountain air, incredible scenic beauty, great food and entertainment and managed and supported by one of the most experienced bicycle event management teams in the West,” states Bike the West’s website.

“The 72-mile Tour de Tahoe — Bike Big Blue course circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents, totaling over 4,024 vertical feet of elevation gain!”

There are five rest stops along the way, offering food and beverages for riders. The first two stops provide drop bags for those who wish to discard items such as clothing.

The ride is not for beginners — it is recommended for conditioned bicyclists experienced in riding roadways. Participants must be at least 14 years old.

As this year’s ride falls on the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, there will be a Nine-Eleven Memorial start observance at 6:15 a.m. with lead out by fire and law enforcement vehicles, prior to the race start.

The event takes place rain or shine. It begins and finishes at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Stateline. Ticket information is available at http://www.bikethewest.com.

— Lake Tahoe Action