SQUAW VALLEY USA and#8212; The Tahoe Sierra Century Ride 2011 is slated for Saturday, Sept. 24, offering incredible scenery and excellent exercise, all benefiting a great cause. Riders can choose a 100-mile, 60-mile or 30-mile route and enjoy breathtaking vistas and the crisp mountain air of autumn in the Sierra.

All of the Tahoe Sierra Century routes start and finish in The Village at Squaw Valley, and every entry benefits the music students at North Tahoe middle and high schools. While the eventand#8217;s moniker includes the word and#8216;century,and#8217; the 100-miler is just one of three rides offered in this beloved Tahoe event.-

Course descriptions

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100-Mile Route: Departing Squaw Valley, athletes ride along the Truckee River to Tahoe City and enjoy 13 beautiful miles along the Lake Tahoe shoreline before climbing Brockway Summit. Next, riders enjoy a long descent into Martis Valley, then a strenuous 8-mile climb up to Tahoe Donner. Rides will enjoy the vistas from the top before descending back into Truckee for a 5-mile cruise along Donner Lake. Competitors then climb Old Highway 40 over Donner Summit and descend to the Cisco Grove lunch stop. After refueling, riders head back up to the Summit and enjoy an exhilarating and stunning descent back to Donner Lake. Athletes will finish the ride with 15 flat miles along the Truckee River back to Squaw Valley. (6,800 vertical gain)

60-Mile Route: This is an out-and-back trip with a vertical gain of 2,500 and one summit climb. After starting in Squaw Valley, riders follow the Truckee River to Truckee and then on to Donner Lake. Next, they head up and over Donner Summit on Old Highway 40, enjoy lunch at Big Bend, continue onto Cisco Grove for the turn-around, and then head back up and over the hill to Donner Lake and back to Squaw Valley.

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30-Mile Route: For those who want to participate, but are not sure they are ready for the big rides, the 30-miler is perfect for recreational riders (road bikers and mountain bikers). This route has all of the fun ride elements without any of the major climbs. Like the other routes, it starts and finishes at The Village at Squaw Valley. Participants ride to the West End of Donner Lake, enjoy lunch and then return to Squaw Valley.

Apres Ride Party

Whether a rider selects the century ride or the 30-miler, they will be feted at The Village at Squaw Valley with tasty food from Fireside Pizza Co. and entertainment by the North Tahoe middle school and high school bands.

Music Matters

Launched in 2003, the event is the brainchild of the North Tahoe Music Fan Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for the music programs at North Tahoe Middle School and North Tahoe High School. These award-winning programs include five concert bands and three jazz bands. Both North Tahoe schools have an extraordinarily high percent of students participating in the music program. Compared to the national average of six to 10 percent music program student participation, North Tahoe Middle School boasts a 63 percent participation rate, and the high school has 24 percent. Plus, of these music students, at least 60 percent also participate in a school sport.

For more information, go to http://www.tahoesierracentury.com or like the Tahoe Sierra Century Facebook page. Sponsors include The Village at Squaw Valley, The Inn Shop of Squaw Valley, Fireside Pizza Co., Tahoe City Marina and GU.

50 percent off fall lodging at The Village at Squaw-Valley

Book at two night stay at The Village at Squaw Valley this fall and save 50 percent off standard room rates. Fall is one of the best times to enjoy the Sierra with crisp sunny skies and incredible biking and hiking in the area. Call 1-866-818-6963 for more information and to book.

About Squaw Valley USA

Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley USA is internationally renowned for legendary terrain that spans 4,000 skiable acres, six peaks and 30 chairlifts, and ranges from an expansive mountaintop beginner area to unrivaled expert steeps, trees and bowls. Off the mountain, families relax in The Village at Squaw Valley around the cozy fire pits or enjoy a host of restaurants, bars, boutiques and art galleries. Guests can stay in one of The Village at Squaw Valleyand#8217;s one, two or three bedroom suites, each with a fireplace, kitchen and balcony, for the ultimate slopeside lodging experience.

and#8212; Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com