by Tim Hauserman
Nevada’s highways and byways provide scenic cycling getaways.
The joy of road biking comes from finding a lightly used, but well-maintained strip of asphalt that keeps you spinning through an array of beautiful scenery. In Nevada, the best rides can be found where the mountains meet the desert or gentle rangelands abut snow-capped peaks.
You can roll pleasantly across the flats enjoying pastoral views then turn a corner and begin to climb, climb, climb; or you can ride in the early-morning stillness past rock formations right out of a western movie. The best part of a road ride in Nevada, however, is that it allows you to enjoy the splendor of the state at a speed at which it can be truly appreciated.
Here are six scenic Silver State rides (three in Northern Nevada and three in Southern Nevada). All lie within a 90-minute drive of Las Vegas or Reno.
Reno
Verdi to the Mount Rose Highway
This popular Reno ride manages to stick mostly to lightly used roads—or those with wide bike lanes—while taking you through The Biggest Little City’s urban area. The roundtrip is about 70 km (45 mi), but a variety of potential starting places allows you to cater the trip to the length of your preference.
A great place to start is Crystal Peak Park in Verdi. The route follows the Truckee River on old Highway 40 east to Reno before meandering through pleasant neighborhoods on the city’s southwestern edge. After a few miles of scenic riverside riding, you reach a bike trail near the Somerset community before passing through Mogul to 4th Street. Again, following the river, 4th Street leads to Mayberry Drive, where you cross the Truckee River and turn right, quickly climbing Plateau Street.
Plateau leads up to Caughlin Parkway, which brings you to the steepest section of your ride and expansive views of the river, northwest Reno, and Peavine Peak, which dominates the skyline from this vantage. Caughlin crosses McCarran Boulevard and becomes Cashell Boulevard, winding down to a left turn on Skyline Boulevard, followed by a right turn on Moana Lane, more downhill, and another right on Lakeside Drive.
Lakeside winds through pastures and suburban horse country and eventually turns into Holcomb Lane, which connects riders to a right turn at Thomas Creek Road. Turn left from Thomas Creek onto Foothill Road and take a quick right turn onto Boulder Glen Way, which leads to a connector trail and bridge over the creek and to the southern continuation of Thomas Creek Road, which you will follow the rest of the way to your turnaround at the Chevron Station at State Route 431, the Mount Rose Highway.
Washoe Valley
Bowers Mansion to and around Washoe Lake
This 35 km (22 mi) loop with less than 300 m of climbing makes for a view-filled, but not overly difficult, ride. It takes you around Washoe Lake, known for wildlife and occasional strong winds. Check the wind forecast before embarking on this ride.
Begin and end at the historic Bowers Mansion where you will find parking, restrooms, and an expanse of grass under the trees, an inviting spot for a post-ride picnic. Ride south on Old Highway 395 to a right turn on Franktown Road, where a pleasantly winding road takes you through old ranches and striking homes at the foot of the Carson Range.
There is a slight climb, followed by a fun downhill ride back to Old 395, where you turn right. Take a left under Interstate 580 to Eastlake Boulevard, which brings you around the southern and eastern shores of Washoe Lake. Ride through Washoe Lake State Park, New Washoe City, and eventually back to Old 395 to return to Bowers Mansion. Over the last few kilometres, keep your eyes peeled to the sky for hang gliders as you pass Slide Mountain Hang Glider Landing Zone.
Carson Valley
Genoa to Diamond Valley and Back
My favorite ride in Northern Nevada begins on Jacks Valley Road in one of Nevada’s oldest towns, Genoa. The 67 km (42 mi) route takes you along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada through beautiful farm country, wetlands, open sage lands, and past several hiking trails.
Nine kilometres on Jacks Valley Road brings you to Kingsbury Grade, where, if you are up for a big climb, you can grunt up 760 m (2,500 ft) to the top. If that doesn’t sound appealing, Jacks Valley Road becomes Foothill Road past Genoa and continues mostly level in the shadow of the Sierra. A right turn on Fredricksburg Road takes you into California, where the climb up Emigrant Trail brings you to Woodsford at the intersection of California State Routes 88 and 89.
Take Highway 89 toward Markleeville briefly, before turning left on Diamond Valley Road where you ride through a lovely, remote valley before returning to Fredricksburg Road and retracing your route back to Genoa. Just 1.5 km before Genoa on your return trip is 1862 David Walley’s Hot Springs Resort, a great place for a post-ride soak in mineral baths.
Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Start this 70 (43 mi) ride at the Dunkin’ Donuts near Charleston Boulevard and Desert Foothills Drive in Summerlin, then head west to Red Rock Canyon and Blue Diamond. It’s a pleasant ride on a lightly traveled, well-maintained road past Joshua trees and an austere desert landscape.
Locals call this ride a “great place to spin,” with the tiny town of Blue Diamond providing a general store for resupply. Las Vegas biking expert Lisa Caterbone, from BikingLasVegas.com, calls the one-way (outbound) Red Rock Canyon loop, “one of the hardest 20 km (13 mi) rides I’ve ever done. While really fun and incredibly beautiful, it is not for the faint of heart.”
If you hit the route early, the only sound you will hear is your own breath. Quiet that gasping sound by taking frequent breaks to enjoy the stunning vistas of bright red, orange, and cream-colored rock formations. “It’s even nice on a cloudy day,” Caterbone says, adding that the clouds “cast beautiful shadows on the mountains.” When it rains, there is nothing like a rainbow over Red Rock Canyon.
The River Mountains Loop Trail
This 56 km (35 mi), paved bike path with spectacular views of Lake Mead, Boulder City, and Henderson was completed in 2011. It includes some fun switchbacks, tight turns, and a steep set of climbs known as the Three Sisters. Plan on getting in a major workout, as there is 760 km (2,500 ft) of elevation gain on the route.
For many riders, what makes the River Mountains Loop Trail special is that you get the peace of mind of spinning 56 km (35 mi) without encountering vehicle traffic. Though it’s just a short drive from Las Vegas, one-third of the trail is in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, affording beautiful lakeviews and a serene feeling of remoteness.
Keep your eyes peeled for jack rabbits and bighorn sheep, and an occasional rattlesnake may be found basking on the trail in the sun. As a loop, you can start almost anywhere and go in either direction. My favorite starting point is Henderson’s Railroad Pass Casino.
Valley of Fire State Park
Caterbone says the ride through Valley of Fire State Park is “one of most spectacular rides in Nevada.” The ride passes through dramatic desert landscape on a lightly traveled road. Amid the dazzling rock formations and bright colors, you’ll feel as though you have been dropped onto another planet. The first portion of the ride is a quiet climb on a lightly traveled road through a stark desert landscape.
When you reach the highest point, the road switches to a dark-tar color as you wind through a landscape of vibrant red and orange rock formations. A number of pullouts allow you to ponder such fascinations as Bee Hive Rocks, Elephant Rock, and The Seven Sisters.
To complete this challenging 100 km (63 mi) out-and-back ride, park at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza at Exit 75 off Interstate 15. Ride east through the park to Overton for a mid-ride break before turning around to return to the start. Given the potential for extreme heat and the remote nature of this ride, it is not recommended that you ride alone or in the heat of summer.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association
redrockcanyonlv.org
702-515-5367
River Mountains Loop Trail
rivermountainstrail.com
702-365-2191
Valley of Fire State Park
29450 Valley of Fire Rd., Overton, NV 89040
parks.nv.gov
702-397-2088
***SIDEBARS***
NEVADA CYCLING CLUBS
Alta Alpina Cycling Club
altaalpina.com
Biking Henderson Meetup Group
meetup.com/bikinghenderson
Biking Las Vegas
bikinglasvegas.com
Churchill County Cyclists
churchillcountycyclists.com
Green Valley Cycists
greenvalleycyclists.org
Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club
lasvegasbikeclub.org
Nevada Cycling
nevadacycling.wordpress.com
Plumas-Sierra Bicycle Club
psbicycleclub.org
Procrastinating Pedalers
pedalers.org
Reno Cycling Club
Reno Wheelmen
renowheelmen.org
NEVADA CYCLING EVENTS
Great Lake Tahoe Bike Ride
72- & 35-mile rides around Lake Tahoe
Sept. 28
laketahoemarathon.com
530-544-7095
The No-Hill 100 Century Bike Tour
100-mile ride in Churchill County
October 5
visitfallonnevada.com
866-432-5566
Tri-States Gran Fondo
114-mile race through Nevada, Arizona, and Utah
October 19
tristatesgranfondo.com
Two Wheels and the Open Road was originally published in Nevada Magazine. Visit www.nevadamagazine.com