Pony Express Friday's Station handoff in Lake Tahoe

The Pony Express ran from April 1860 to November 1861 carrying mail almost 2000 miles from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, CA. Every year since the mid 1960s the National Pony Express Association puts on a re-ride involving over 500 riders and 155 stations, including Friday's Station in Lake Tahoe, NV (at the site of what is now Harrah's.)

Pony Express Statue at Harrah's

The Pony Express' attitude towards its riders is captured beautifully by the text of their famous recruitment poster: "Pony Express from St. Joseph, Missouri to California in 10 Days or Less. WANTED Young, Skinny, Wiry Fellows not over eighteen, must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans Prefered $25 per week."

This video features interviews with Davey "Doc" Wiser, the rider for the Lake Tahoe to Placerville leg of this year's re-enactment as well as Rich Tatman, president of the California division of the National Pony Express Association as well as the handoff of the mochilla containing this year's commemorative mail.

Doc Wiser being sworn in as a rider

For more information visit Pony Express California

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride 2015

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride 2015 gallery on Google+

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride is a charity bike ride around Lake Tahoe sponsored by Bike The West to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Over the last 14 years this event has raised over $65.8 million towards the cure.

According to South Tahoe Now, This year over 3,500 bicyclists participated in three divisions, a 100 mile century ride, the ever popular 72 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe, and a 32 mile fun ride with a cruise to the north shore. 

McClean Hoenig said "It's my first time riding 72 miles, and I'm dead tired but it was worth it and it was a great experience." 

Riders agree that the most challenging aspect of America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride is the up and down terrain of the Lake Tahoe basin. Early finisher James Phillios of Columbus , OH noted: "I'm not used to the hills up here, and there were two climbs that were pretty tough and a little wind towards the end but all in all it was a great ride. Great people, great event."

Riders left from the Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Stateline at 6AM, and the first finishers weren't coming in until noon.

Wagon Train 2015

Wagon train 2015 passes by Elk's Point in Zephyr Cove

For more information about Wagon Train 2015 visit Highway 50 Wagon Train website or South Tahoe Now's story on the 66th Annual Wagon train