My gravel bike is a Manzanita Cycles 650b/27.5x 55/2.2 custom frame and fork with 6 water bottle mounts and custom bags by Nuke Sunrise Bike Bags. I had a desert, gravel road, adventure touring bike in mind and Nick worked his magic to build this. Even though I haven’t had this bike as long as my Falconer, its versatility has inspired me to put on 6,700 miles in relatively short time. Nick and I have done handfuls of weekend bikepacking, S24O, and day rides together. This summer we had some great gravel rides and text conversations sharing route ideas. Nick created a Manzanita Club on STRAVA to promote gravel riding and community within his customers and the Reno/Tahoe gravel community. Here are the rides we did together, and there was always a bit of FOMO when I saw the other rides Nick was doing.

Best Pine Nut Nut Gravel Loop April 16, Minden, NV 37 miles, 3.3k’ of climbing (RwGPS here)

Nick found a gravel suggestion for the Pine Nut Mountains titled The Best! In looking for another ride for the Manzanita Group he and I took off to see what it would be like for a group ride. The route starts at the bottom of Sunrise Pass Road at the end of Johnson Lane in Minden. The road is well maintained gravel and climbs over the range.

Before the high point we turned off around Mineral Peak and entered Mineral Valley. This is a very scenic valley in the middle of the range. It has reliable springs and is a popular place to overnight. Continuing south we entered Pine Nut Valley between Mt Como and Mt Seigel.

We exited the valley to descend Buckeye Creek and worked our way north back to Johnson Lane. I think Nick made some modifications to the return portion of the route and I thought it flowed really well.

Was this the Best Pine Nut Gravel Loop? Possibly. Parts of it descending Mineral, Pine Nut Valleys, and Buckeye Creek were a bit chunky for the likes of many gravel riders. The mileage and elevation may also be out of the preference range for the masses. But we had a great time! Nick just needed to decide if this was a route to take a group on. He knew I’d be game.

Seven Lakes Mountain Loop April 24, North Valleys Reno, NV 47.5 miles, 5.5k’ of climbing (RwGPS here)

Seven Lakes Mountain has been on my to do list since 2014. Nothing like 11 years to get around to riding it. It sits at the end of Bedell Flat between the Peterson Mountain and Dogskin Mountain. Other relevant landmarks include Red Rock Road, Winnemucca Ranch Road and Moon Rocks. These were all popular features, close to Reno, in the early years of Bikepacking Northern Nevada. Seven Lakes was there, a distinct feature on the maps, a distinct bump in the landscape. It had a few roads, including one that went right over the top.

Nick hadn’t ridden the area so I figured I could show him a good time and tick-off this destination. He was interested. I sent him a route, Bedell Flat, Seven Lakes, Dry Valley, Dogskin Mtn, Winnemucca Ranch Road, and Moon Rocks. He responded, “the climbs look steep.” I hadn’t paid much attention. What’s a little hike-a-bike? It’s not if, but when (I credit Casey Clark with this bit of dusty wisdom).

I picked Nick up and we drove out to the end of Matterhorn and Antelope Valley Roads, north of Lemmon Valley. These are all great road bike destinations. But for our purpose, where the pavement ends the adventure begins. Bedell Flats could also be where the Dark Skies begin. I remember a conversation years ago with Dan Ruby, then the director of the Fleischmann Planetarium, he mentioned just getting a little north of Reno the skies get sheltered by the mountains from Reno’s light pollution. That conversation made me think the area would make a great overnight destination.

There is a gentle downhill grade through the valley so we made good time to the base of Seven Lakes. Passing Sand Hills reminded me that I have that area on a list of fat bike destinations. Sand Hills and Dogskin Mtn are managed for wild horses and burros by the BLM. There are private developments in the area but access is permitted. 

At mile 11.5 we followed a fence line per the route drawn in Ride with GPS. With hindsight it would have been better to continue on Dixie Ln another ½ mile to climb Dry Valley Rd. Then we turned off Dry Valley Rd onto the jeep trail that goes over the summit. There were definitely some too steep bits but Seven Lakes Mountain left me with a totally different impression. Originally everything about the mountain seemed small. My impression from looking at it on the map, small. From seeing it in the distance, small. But once we were on the mountain it felt big! And even though we were just on the edge of Reno’s Red Rock neighborhood it felt like we were way out there.

Are there Seven Lakes? From the summit I saw one dry lake. It was large and obvious off the northern slope. Descending to the northwest we passed four smaller dry ponds. The lakes are there, at least in wetter years.

We dropped into Dry Valley and headed to the north end of Dogskin Mountain. I thought we would be on the road that Brandon Anderson and I climbed years past. But it wasn’t. It was way steeper! Above 17-20% grade I find it best to hike-a-bike. But above 25% grade if the road is rocky and lose it seemed best to carry the bike. Carrying your bike is never “good.” These jeep roads peaked in the low 30’s % grades. It was tough but Nick was a great partner through the challenging bits. It was a benchmark to be above the Seven Lakes Summit but then we climbed another 700’.

The descents were steep enough, lose, off-camber and rutted to the point where you had to decide if you need to hike-a-bike down. But the Dogskin has some great diversity from sagebrush steep, to ridgeline mahogany forests, and vernal springs in isolated canyons.

We came across one moto rider and it was such a contrast. We were on light weight gravel bikes dressed in lycra road kits. The moto rider was dressed head to toe in full protective gear looking like a test-pilot astronaut. Not a criticism, just a contrast. They were the only other person we saw on the ride outside of Moon Rocks. I assume we were a surprise to them too.

Out of the Dogskin we had an exhilarating descent down Winnemucca Ranch Road. It was great to share this with Nick. This area is a favorite for gravel rides. I have so many fond memories. Nick thought parts of this ride might be suitable for a club ride.

We turned off Winnemucca Ranch Road for our final climb past Moon Rocks recreational area. Just before our last bit to close the loop for the day, there was a steep climb just ahead. Nick said his spirit dropped at the sight and anticipation. The day’s steep climbs had taken their toll and left an impression on us. But we didn’t have to make that climb, we turned off to our vehicle before it came to that.

Early Season Verdi Peak Attempt (Still a great ride!) May 9, Reno, NV 58.6 miles, 5.4k’ of climbing (RwGPS here)

Some time ago I was asked for a route suggestion around the Boca/Stampede area. I can’t remember if it was to include the fire lookouts in the area but I tied together Verdi, Sardine, and Babbitt Peaks. I thought it would be a good three day trip for a broad range of bike tourists or a really big day for the elite (68 miles, 10k’ of climbing). Verdi Pk has long been on my to-do list but I thought the 3 peaks route might be a bit ambitious to do with Nick. So I suggested a route that just had Verdi Peak. From Nick’s house in Reno, 68 miles, 6.8k’ of climbing. Nick was game.

Reno to Verdi is one of what I refer to as Reno’s “traderoutes”, The Verdi Loop. But we added on Dog Valley/Henness Pass Road. The initial climb to Summit 1 is short and steep (sweet?) and then it is a rolling climb to Summit 2. This is where you leave the road most traveled and turn onto Verdi Peak Rd/ FS 72-28. Everything was going great until we ran into too much snow. The final 3 miles, 1.2k’ of climbing was blocked. No problem, we continued through the forest to Boca Reservoir and onto Hirschdale. At Hirschdale we jumped onto The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail, another popular ride, to get back home.

This route would make a good overnight, including dispersed camping, or Boca Springs Campground. Not everyone would like the amount of climbing. To say, “just take it slow, or just take your time,” doesn’t do it justice. But we had a great time! But I still have to get to Verdi Peak.

Lost and Found Pre-Ride June 6, Portola, CA 64.6 miles, 5.2k’ of climbing (RwGPS here)

Nick asked me if I’d be interested in pre-riding the course for the Lost and Found race out of Portola, CA. Sure, I’m not sure I even hesitated, but I should have. Nick is a strong rider and I feel like he always rips my legs off when we ride. Oh well, it’s good. I shouldn’t always ride around so slowly.

We rode north out of Portola City Park, a great venue for the event. After a paved climb warm-up we got onto fast forest service roads. The 1100’ climb aside, the fast dusty roads would require some strategy. We discussed passing and following strategies. With the chunkier bits we discussed tire pressures and other nerdy bits. Hydration, fueling, pacing, blah, blah, blah… We were riding fast, for me. Looking back on my heart rate data (max 167, ave 138, primary benefit: VO₂ max (do I even have one of those?), even split Zones 4/5 and Zones 2/3.) Clearly I was working hard to stay with Nick.

It is a beautiful route. It has a mix of intensity and wide open serenity. Nick knows the area better than I do but I was thinking there must be some great bikepacking routes around here. We saw a bear. I had stopped to take a leak, the bear saw me, the bear trotted away (laughing?). But you really have to be on the lookout for the vicious cows!

Nick bought me a well earned milkshake at the Portola Frosty. So glad places like that are still around.

How did Nick do in the Lost and Found Gravel Festival? He raced the 96 mile course and finished 29th out of 62 starters in his category Mens 41-50. I think I’d still be out there making the bears laugh.

Nick and I did four rides in spring/early summer. These are great Northern Nevada (and Northern California in the case of Verdi Pk and Portola) gravel rides, typical in steep mountainous terrain, rough minimally maintained roads (but at times exquisite conditions) but including sublime experiences that could not be predicted. Don’t let my descriptions of harsh conditions keep you from getting out there. Be ready for challenges, be prepared, and adventure safely.

If you are interested in elegant steel frame bicycles check out what Nick is up to at Manzanita Cycles.