Meet Lauren Thomaselli
My name and field of work
Lauren Thomaselli, retired from the Director of Parks and Recreation, City of South Lake Tahoe, CA. A part-time ski instructor at Heavenly Mountain Resort, and founder and past president of South Lake Tahoe BMX Association.
The vision that led me to Tahoe
My path to Tahoe was not of my choosing but that of my Dad when I was 10 years old. Our home base was Pacifica, Ca. where Dad was a burn specialist at UCSF. On weekends and holidays he loaded the family of seven in our staAon wagon and bolted to Tahoe to ski, bike, swim, boat, hike, camp, and frolic. In 1975 Dad opened a part-Ame medical pracAce in Tahoe and later we became full Ame residents. Needless to say the outdoor adventure lifestyle of Tahoe was ingrained throughout my childhood. In 1979 I met my ‘ride or die’ partner for life, John Thomaselli. We were married in 1983. Together we conAnued our quest for “wind in the face” adrenalin filled sports while raising two boys (now 33 and 38). Our family Moto “surf- cycle-ski” is born from the Tahoe lifestyle and our adult sons are now tasked with passing it on to our grandchildren (now 5 and 3).
I ride my bike often because
The feeling of the wind in my face, the smell of wet dirt, the sound of the tires on the trail, and blood rushing through my veins are all sensations that bring an instant sense of joy and freedom only possible when I’m on my bike.
My top three favorite Tahoe trails and/or road rides
Right out the back door of our home in Montgomery Estates, South Lake Tahoe. My favorite trails are Powerline and all the connections, including Incense Cedar and Corral Trail.
The accomplishments I’m most stoked about
After years of BMX competing, 1999 California State Champion, 2001 2nd in National Championships and 2nd in 2002 World Championships, and John finishing first in National Men’s Cruiser Class in 2000, gave us the experience and commitment to get the City of South Lake Tahoe and other collaborators to build a permanent competitive BMX track in the Bijou Community Park.
I encourage others to ride a bike because
When you ride everything is just all right with the world.