Exploring Nevada's backroads by bicycle
A rapid descent into Dog Valley Rarely do I write about a ride I didn't dream-up, plan, and execute. But this was all Jake Francis. Jake is a bee-guy, flower-guy, pollination ecologist, chemical ecologist, and behaviorist. He is one of the smartest scientists I have chatted with. He is a creative DIY-guy from the kitchen …
Continue reading Sub-24-Overnight; Swift Industries Solstice Camp Out
This finger of the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails is a fantastic route to the Black Rock Desert I underestimated the effects of our spring thunderstorms on the route I had planned for Adventure Cycling Association's Bike Travel Weekend. The weather triggered some on the fly changes in our route and …
Continue reading Overnight; Bike Travel Weekend, Rye Patch Reservoir to Black Rock Desert
Turning north onto Jackson Creek Ranch Rd, less than 100 mi to the Oregon border This year I am taking on a project to write a guide for touring The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA). While it seems to be a no-brainer that this is a hot …
Continue reading Black Rock Desert Project: Jungo Rd to Jackson Creek Ranch Rd
From ArcGIS - USA Topo maps, how could you not be drawn to ride through this feature? On the map there was this discrete notch between the Sahwave Mountains and the Blue Wing Hills. Never before have I been so captivated by a series of contour lines. But there it was, connecting two dry lake …
Continue reading Day Trip; Through the notch, Juniper Pass, around the Sahwave Mountains
...and the adventure begins. Toulon exit off I-80 Nevadans love to explore remote hard-to-get-to areas of their beloved state. A combination of a pioneering spirit, an abundance of accessible public land, and the potential for natural and cultural historical discovery is the perfect recipe for getting outside to explore your state. The Seven Troughs Range …
Continue reading Day Trip; Seven Troughs Range and Ghost Towns
Looking back at the start of the ride, Hualapai Flat to Black Rock Desert Leadville Road from the start There are hundreds of miles of gravel roads and jeep trails around and through the Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA). A bikepacker's paradise. Gerlach is the pedestal for …
Continue reading Ride Report; Washoe County Road 34, Leadville Rd
I envision four major routes showcasing The Black Rock Desert - High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. First is the gravel County Road 34. The road is paved out of Gerlach but turns to dirt to the north at Hualapai Flat. Then it is about 60 miles to Vya. The road runs along …
Continue reading Ride Report; Black Rock Desert to Soldier Meadows Rd
Jungo Rd, imagine the Black Rock Desert playa on your left and the Selenite Mountains Wilderness Study Area on your right I was first introduced to Kumiva Valley when crossing over the Selenite Range just north of Kumiva Peak. I traced the valley to Jungo Road at the base of the Black Rock Desert. I …
The Calico Hills and Mountains as I had left them Division (8533') and South Donnelly (7719') Peaks are snow covered In planning this route I knew I was going to peak out at 7100' yet my goal was to keep my elevation low to avoid the snow. Low and slow is a challenge in this …
Continue reading Ride Report; Granite Range, Negro Creek to Leadville Canyon
In a sea of sagebrush on the Toiyabe Crest Trail I started looking back on 2018 by re-reading my review of 2017. Then I went through my posts of 2018. Then I went through my Garmin Connect Activities for 2018 all taking me down memory lane. I also scanned the statistics to see what were …
Continue reading The out-and-back, 2018 in review, and out again, 2019
