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 some popular themes within Bikepacking Northern Nevada. At the top of the list was the Map Room, gravel road riding, the Toiyabe Crest Trail, my winter tours, and gear reviews.
2018 riding in northern Nevada was pretty average. Our winter was mild, snow levels mostly above 7,000′. There is plenty of riding between 4 and 6 thousand feet and sunny blue skies. Spring seems to be a short season between the last snow storm of the year and the first temperatures in the 90’s. Now it is time to find those high routes between 7 and 10 thousand feet with wild flowers as far as you can see. There was no escaping the wild fire smoke this year, even the middle of the state was in a thick haze. Fall is always a welcomed season, cooler temps, intermittent clouds, an occasional thunderstorm, all adding to exploring northern Nevada.
My top 5 rides/areas for 2018 would include:
- Pine Grove Hills– great pinion pine forests and outstandingly preserved ghost towns
- Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge – fantastic conditions for gravel road riding with wildlife viewing. Dunes to the north
- Sand Mountain to Beatty – part of the future Nevada Divide route, varied habitats north to south
- Toiyabe Crest Trail – a gem of a route, high elevation, wildlife viewing
- Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park – captivating destination with great gravel road options
My big project for 2019 will be to spend as much time riding in the Black Rock Desert – High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trail National Conservation Area. The end result is to write a comprehensive guide to touring the area. I would still like to host a Rendezvous mid spring at the Dry Valley OHV area north west of Pyramid Lake. Finally I will continue to fill in the off pavement route through Nevada working from Winnemucca north to the Oregon border, and Beatty south to the Arizona border. 2019 will be splendid indeed.
Bikepacking Northern Nevada 
Impressive riding! How far do you go on average per day and trip? Do you promote your blog? Ever take photos of yourself or other people?
When I started this blog my rides were 25 to 50 miles for a Ride Report. Lately I have been spending full days on the bike pushing the 100+ mile distances. But my goals are to produce interesting rides that riders can follow, adjust, or turn into multi-day rides if need be. I don’t do a ton of promotion, mostly word of mouth and I feel folks are finding it through Google searches. In years past I have had riding partners, but lately my rides are mostly solo. I am experimenting with the timer on my camera trying to get some framed rider shots. Thanks for checking out my posts and I appreciate the feedback. It is all taken to heart.