On Sunday, September 10th, 200 riders set out to complete the 11th annual Rose to Toads ride. At over 62 miles with 8,000 ft of climbing and 10,000 ft of descent, this is one of the most grueling and glorious rides on the Tahoe circuit.
Ride History
While Rose to Toads is now one of TAMBA’s signature events, it started from humble beginnings. Who better to describe its history than Ben Fish, TAMBA re-birth co-founder and co-creator of Rose to Toads:
“Short history… This was the ride of legends many years ago (pre-TAMBA). I would read trip reports about it on the @mtbr forums, from badasses like @tahoebackcountry, riding 60+ miles on the ridgelines from north shore to south. About 14 years ago @jake__dore and I decided to tackle it, back in the time of 26” wheels, triple chain ring and no dropper posts. We met some friends out there and unlocked the ride.
Then a group of us started @tambatahoe, Amy [Fish] and I decided in 2011 to make this the signature TAMBA ride – our answer to the Downieville Classic, except not a race. That first year it was free, with no support and no rest stops. About 20 people showed up, less than half finished and we thought it was a huge success. Every year the turnout would double, and we needed to legitimize it and raise $ for trail building. Then Jonathan Cook-Fischer from the Forest Service helped us secure permits for Rose to Toads, Corral Night Ride, and Mountain Bike Fest.
Game on, the word spread, the event started to sell out, rest stops got bigger, a finish line party was organized, unlimited bragging rights were earned. From hairbrained idea to bucket list ride, it thrives in infamy!” – Ben Fish
Since its inception, the goal of the Rose to Toads ride has always remained the same: uniting the mountain biking community in celebration of the incredible network of trails Tahoe has to offer. Event registration revenue and donations contribute directly to TAMBA’s trail maintenance and building efforts in the Tahoe basin. This allows every rider to give back to the trails that make Rose to Toads what it is.
2023 Ride Recap
The popularity of the Rose to Toads ride continues to grow year-on-year and the success of this year’s ride is a clear indicator why!
Two hundred riders set off from Mt. Rose at daybreak on September 10th to tackle the grueling ride ahead. Thanks to recent bouts of precipitation, temperate day-of conditions, and continued trail maintenance work from TAMBA trail crew and volunteers, riders were treated to some of the best conditions seen in recent years.
This year’s ride once again included multiple rest stops along the way, ensuring riders had all the snacks and stoke they needed to persevere. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association rest stop at Spooner Lake State Park, replete with early morning espressos, was a welcome first port of call. Shoreline Tahoe kept energy levels high at Kingsbury Grade with perogies, bike tune-ups, and serious dance party vibes. At Armstrong Pass, mid-way through arguably the toughest section of the ride, Harrison Brown, Morgan Humble, and Erich Baumann (who biked all the supplies up themselves) helped riders with the final push to Toads, tacos and all. And this year we even treated riders to a surprise rest stop! A huge thanks to the Heavenly Ski Patrol crew who set up a rest stop at Mott Canyon. In the words of one rider, “it was like an oasis in the desert”.
By early afternoon, the first riders had crossed the finish line at the bottom of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and more soon followed. Our friends at Adidas Terrex, Flying Embers, and PT Revolution joined TAMBA at the finish line to get the party started, and it carried on in full force throughout the evening. Surrounded by family and friends, riders had the chance to revel in their incredible achievement with a burger and beer in hand. Not a bad way to finish!
Huge congratulations to this year’s riders! Thank you for supporting TAMBA and Tahoe trails. Who knew that much suffering could be so rewarding?!
2023 Rose to Toads Ride Partners and Sponsors
The Rose to Toads ride would not be possible without the incredible support TAMBA receives from volunteers, community partners, supporting organizations, and donors. We would like to extend our huge thanks to those whose hard work made the ride such a success. You are all awesome!
A special thank you to the 2023 Rose to Toads partners and sponsors:
USFS
Nevada State Parks
Erich Baumann
Patrick Gillick
Harrison Brown
Morgan Humble
