5/23-27/2024 I will stick by my assessment that BRR is the best event on the playa. It brings together the diversity of multiple user groups to show the many uses of the Black Rock Desert. The main host is the BLM, but the Friends groups, Nevada Wilderness and Black Rock High Rock really carry the show. There are two full days of events, talks, tours, and stewardship projects, flanked by two ½ days of set-up and tear-down.

Bikepacking Northern Nevada hosted a 120 mile tour in and out of BRR around the Smoke Creek Desert and a ½ day tour between Cassidy Mine and the Calico Hills. This was my second year of touring into BRR and my fourth year offering the Cassidy Mine Loop. Next year I plan on mixing it up.

This was the first time offering the tour into BRR to anyone. It is a big time commitment. You pedal in on Thursday, overnight and arrive at the BRR on Friday for set-up/check-in. Then you are camped on playa Saturday and Sunday. You pedal out all day Monday. While it is Memorial Day weekend, it is still a big time commitment. I encourage riders to chop it up anyway they can to make the event at least Saturday and Sunday, a combo of ride and drive is a good possibility.

I had one taker for the tour along the Smoke Creek Desert, Dave Barker. Dave just got back from 18 months in Panama and had been following Bikepacking Northern Nevada on Instagram. The Smoke Creek Desert was a big change from Panama. Dave didn’t miss a single view, nor did he take anything for granted. His stoke was high! But the high desert biking made him question if he was ready for the long day return. Eventually he decided to turn back, camp, and make it back to his vehicle.

Dave had all the essentials, food, water, shelter, navigation, and a very reliable bicycle. I geeked out over his purpose-built bikepacking rig; the Priority 600X with Pinion gear box and Gates belt drive. Dave had his own solo adventure back to his jeep.

My trip continued to the base of Goodeys Rock to camp for the night. At some point during the night a crew of UTV side-by-sides passed my camp, out and back. Other than that I enjoyed the solitude.

The next morning I made my way into Gerlach, stopping by the Friends of Black Rock High Rock Visitors Center, before heading out to the playa. I included a pass through Guru Road on my way to 3 Mile Access. On playa I passed a bike tourist who asked me about High Rock Canyon and Soldier Meadow. She was on her way.

Arriving at the base of Cassidy Mine and the playa, I helped volunteers set up the BLM’s yurt. It is always a tug-of-war to get the velcro pieces together. The BLM Winemucca Field office was out in force, introducing their new recruits for recreation management. One bit of buzz was the Black Rock Desert Field Station in Gerlach will be staffed.

Thank you to Joannie A for sharing her photos and experience at BRR.

The Rendezvous is always 1 part reunion, and 1 part meeting new folks. Doug, Joannie, and Wyatt came out in their camper. It was Joannie’s first visit, but she had a great experience and took it all in. Wyatt the Dog scampered about, he couldn’t figure out where all the trees and bushes went! Mark Yakushev arrived and pedalled off to the Quinn River. My friends Will Lumpkin and Tamra Carrol were out with their family. Will is an entomologist who has really gotten into model rocketry on the playa.

The Black Rock Rendezvous embodies the mission of Friends of Black Rock High Rock; Connect, Inspire, and Protect. There are connections with the people who take part in the event. There are connections between the participants and the land through the wide range of talks given, nature walks and rides, and stewardship projects. And food! People really connect over food. Breakfasts were hosted by Friends and the Stewards of the Black Rock, and dinners were a potluck with the Dutch oven cook-off as the highlight. Inspiration is inevitable. Everyone comes away with a new idea about public lands, conservation, and recreation. If connect and inspire happen, then protect will follow. After a few positive experiences with a place, the want to protect it is natural. The stewardship opportunities are a great way to take part in protection, conservation, and rehabilitation of public lands.

My Cassidy Mine Loop ½ Day Tour was a success. I had a couple of repeat riders and a handful of new riders. About ½ of the participants were on e-bikes. I have had a handful of e-bikes on my multi-day tours as well. This trend welcomed as it takes care of one of the biggest fears and hurdles in bikepacking: am I in good enough shape to do this? An anecdote from friends who were touring in Japan and chose the e-bike option, they enjoyed the tour, the sights, the experiences on and off the bike that much more. So, accommodating for all the “but’s…” e-bikes are an important consideration for the future. Going forward, I have lead the Cassidy Mine Loop enough times, I am ready for something new. Two thoughts that come to mind, a ride out to Coyote Dunes or a ride along the shore to the north with a loop on designated playa access. Maybe we can have multiple rides in the future.

My departure on Monday was early. Jeff Locke has ridden out the playa section of my return twice now. We chat about retirement, photography, touring, cycling – it is our time. Maybe this will become a thing.

I was solo on my return so I took a slightly modified approach to Godey’s Rock then back tracked my route along the east shore of Smoke Creek Desert. While there is criticism with out-and-back routes I enjoyed the different view. I came across a small group of pronghorns and we played hide and seek for a few miles. Why am I always “it”? I came across Dave’s return tracks. He did get a message to me, he was home safe. What a story he has to tell, a solo overnight on the Smoke Creek Desert!

As I rounded the south shore I entered “K-rat Alley.” For whatever reason I saw a handful of dead Kangaroo Rats on this stretch of sandy road. After a short climb over Sand Pass I was rolling downhill to my vehicle. Another successful trip.

What I rode: I did this trip on my Falconer B+, mountain bike with the Aeroe Spider Rear Rack. I carried 5L of water as I wasn’t planning on access to water for 24 hours. As it turned out, we crossed a flowing spring coming out of Wild Horse Canyon almost 21 miles into the trip. This water source has been present the last two years. My kit was fairly standard. I brought my North Face Stormbreak 1 tent, my synthetic 50^o quilt, and typical kitchen setup.

By the numbers: Day 1 Bonham Well to Godeys Rock along the east side of Smoke Creek Desert, 42 miles, 900′ climbing. Day 2 Godeys Rock to Gerlach, then Gerlach to Black Rock Rendezvous, 21 miles, 330′ of climbing. Rides with Friends Cassidy Mine Loop, 17 miles, 600′ of climbing. And the return, Black Rock Rendezvous to Bonham Well, 62 miles, 1,200′ of climbing. The route to loop the Smoke Creek Desert is 104 miles with 2380′ of climbing.

If there is anything I can do to get you out there, please ask.