May 22-24, 2026 I was considering not writing about Rendezvous 2026. I have written about it for 2022,23, and 24. (I missed 2025 for a family graduation in Hawaii and somehow I missed writing about 2021.) But here we are. As I have always attested Rendezvous is a favorite event. This year was no different. …
Continue reading Touring into Black Rock Rendezvous via the Smoke Creek Desert, 2026
Iconic High Rock! This photo was taken by Shay Daylami who was on the first High Rock Rides with Friends trip. Its never the same without you! June 6-8, 2025 My first tour through High Rock Canyon was the test for Rides with Friends, a bike touring program for Friends of Black Rock High Rock. …
Continue reading High Rock Canyon – Stevens Camp; National Trails Day 2025
I take this photo every time I enter High Rock Canyon, the guardians Oct 5-6, 2024 October 2020 was the start of Rides with Friends. The idea that we would have a trip every October was born. I figured it had to represent the “Best Of”, or as I termed it the “Crown Jewel”. So …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #3 Fly Canyon Potholes and High Rock Canyon
Just to clarify, my last blog post about the Black Rock Rendezvous was labeled Rides with Friends #2, but it was the first of this year's series. The Perseids Meteor Shower Campout was Rides with Friends #2. I am probably the most confused by this matter, ha! Riding into camp with Kelly N, the Calicos …
Continue reading Perseids Meteor Shower Campout: Rides with Friends #2
Nick LePalm gives his presentation at the Black Rock Rendezvous, all a part of Connect, Inspire, Protect 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 …
Continue reading Bikepacking into Black Rock Rendezvous; Rides with Friends #2
Will Lumpkin making the biggest navigation decision in his life, Go Forward! Photo Ky Plaskon October 14-15, 2023 This year’s Rides with Friends crown jewel route was the Hot Springs - Micro Playa Loop. The route traveled northeast from 12 Mile playa access to Double Hot Springs, then south on the Applegate Emigrant Trail route, …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #7: Hot Springs – Micro-Playa Loop
Celebrate rolling sagebrush grasslands under Nevada's blue skies Sept 16-17, 2023 I really wanted a ride for Rides with Friends that showcased the Massacre Rim International Dark Sky Sanctuary. But not surprisingly it is one of the most remote places beyond the NCA. So I planned a route from the turnoff from Co Rd 34 …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #6 Massacre Ranch Dark Skies Overnight
Welcome to the Perseids Meteor Shower Campout Photo Marc P August 12-13, 2023 The Perseids Meteor Shower Campout is a longstanding event hosted by Friends of Black Rock High Rock. Two years ago I decided to ride out to the camp rather than drive. Why not, I’m the bike guy. It was a smokey evening …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #5 Perseids Meteor Shower Campout
Riding out of Lone Juniper Canyon on Day 2, there is no escaping the sun While early summer was cool and stormy, the switch was flipped to peak summer temperatures just weeks before this trip. In anticipation of this, the climb to the summit of Fox Mountain at 8,196’ with a descent into camp by …
Continue reading Rides with Friends #4 Fox Mountain Loop Overnight
Rides with Friends #2; Cassidy Mine Loop Friends of Black Rock High Rock volunteers greeting campers on playa May 25, 2023 My favorite event for Friends of Black Rock High Rock is the Black Rock Rendezvous. Analogous to the regional meetings of fur trappers and pioneers as well as indigenous peoples, the Rendezvous is a …
Continue reading Smoke Creek Desert on my way to Black Rock Rendezvous