The Biggest Little City, Reno, NV is surrounded by mountains, the Carson Range, the Bald Mountain Range, Peavine, the Pah Rah Range, and the Virginia and Flowery Ranges. They are all a draw to the bikepacking wanderlust. While they are are magical in their own way the Pah Rah Range has had a particular pull …
Along the Shoshone Mountains From the Desatoyas and the Toiyabes I could look across the high valleys at the Shoshone Mountains. But I never heard much chatter about their splendor. Last September I visited Berlin-Icthyosaur State Park as a part of Adventure Cycling's Bike Your Park Day nestled in the southern portion of the mountains. …
Thousands of feet above the tarmac layers of mountain ranges hide their dirt roads The idea of being able to seamlessly connect tarmac and dirt roads with a gravel bike is most appealing. I know for many gravel riding on 100% dirt roads is their goal and I support that sort of adventure as well. …
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
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
Adventure Cycling has promoted Bike Your Park over the last three years to celebrate National Public Lands Day. I have promoted rides out of the Black Rock Desert and Dayton to Fort Churchill State Parks in years past. This year I wanted to visit the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. I had been considering this park on …
Jones Valley and Babbitt Peak I saw these areas to the east of Sardine Valley and saw posted turn-offs from County Rd S860 and Smithneck Rd. I thought they would be worth checking out. Brandon mentioned he saw them on posted rides and they looked like a way to increase the mileage and elevation of …
I went into Great Basin Bicycles to chat with Rich Staley asking what was hot in bikes for 2018. Gravel bikes were at the top of the list along with mountain hardtails and full suspension trail bikes. From other popularity reports I've gotten I think 2018 will be the year of the gravel bike. While …
Vernal wetlands, marshes, swamps, estuaries, and salt flats can appear (and smell) unappealing to the eye (and nose). But their value to the ecology, biodiversity, and therefore the wildlife biologist, public, and future generations is immeasurable. Wetlands of all types are the "tropical rain forests" of the temperate landscape. Unfortunately most of us do not …
Continue reading Ride Report; Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and Stillwater Range