Love biking and storytelling? Tahoe Nation Publishing, a new publishing company headed by Ty Polastri, is compiling a collection of short stories, essays, poems and flash fiction about bicycling in and around Lake Tahoe that will be published this fall. The publication, “We Bike Tahoe: Tales from Tahoe Bicyclists,” highlights the biking experience in Tahoe for those who live in and visit the area.

“There are a couple [goals] — one is to help build bike culture and community in Tahoe. There’s an emergence,” Polastri said. “I’ve been an advocate for decades — there’s momentum now. [The other is] to stimulate creative expression through writing, promote biking in Tahoe and inspire visitors and locals to ride a bike.”

Polastri believes the act of biking has the power to evoke creativity in everyone, which prompted him to produce a collection of stories after hearing about similar compilations.

Tahoe’s environment, filled with mountains, waterways, forests and wildlife, is home to hundreds of bike trails that are enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Topics for “We Bike Tahoe” should focus on any type of biking — mountain, road, cruiser and BMX, to name a few — in the Tahoe region. “We Bike Tahoe” gives writers the opportunity to share what biking in Tahoe means to them.

“I think everybody that rides a bike has a very visceral experience. That’s why we continue to do it,” Polastri said. “Anybody who likes riding a bike, they ride their bike. It’s an integral part of their lifestyle.”

Anyone may submit a story for “We Bike Tahoe” consideration, as long as it is about bicycling in the Lake Tahoe region. There are no age requirements. Entries can be in a variety of creative forms, including short stories, poems, song lyrics and essays. Submissions should be less than 500 words, and writers will be notified when their stories are accepted.

“The idea of capturing these memories, ideas and experiences and then sharing them with others can demonstrate the wide variety and richness that bicycling offers people of all ages and abilities,” Polastri said. “Hopefully after reading some of these short stories, more visitors and residents will consider experiencing Tahoe while riding a bicycle.”

The previous submission deadline of June 30 has been extended to Sept. 15. To enter, submit a piece to Tahoe Nation Publishing along with your name, mailing and email addresses and phone number. Send mail entries to Tahoe Nation, P.O. Box 673, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448. Email submissions are accepted at biketahoe@aol.com.

When complete, the book will be available on Amazon, and at bicycle advocate organizations and retailers.

For more information, visit http://www.biketahoe.org/bike-tahoe-book.