Reno and Lake Tahoe's best bike trails
By Dana Turvey, and staff reports
Easy rides:
If you're just getting started, and want a simple ride, or maybe there's a troop of kids involved, the 3-mile long paved path near Camp Richardson (Map it!) is the ticket. Located on Hwy 89 N. in South Lake Tahoe, the trail meanders near the lake and has absolutely no climbs. It's also a good way to avoid parking fees at the beaches, and the whole family can rent gear at Anderson's Bike Rentals (530) 541-0500), found conveniently where the ride starts. They also rent child carriers (a.k.a. pup in a cup) for the little ones.
Further north on Hwy 89, toward Tahoe City, another paved bike trail starts below Homewood, and is one of the most scenic trails in all of Tahoe. Rather than taking small children, this is more suited to hearty juniors and geared bikes, since there are a few climbs and highway crossings. Nothing technical, and it is paved – plus the ride cruises directly along the water at times. Make room in your bike bag for a camera…you'll want to remember the sights. One direction from Sugar Pine Point into the 'Y' at Tahoe City is 9 miles.
If you're just starting your mountain bike career, and want to get in some easy singletrack, head to Truckee and try the Emigrant Trail ride. About 20 miles out and back, it offers rolling hills on a single dirt trail, and is categorized novice-to-intermediate. Drive north on Hwy 89, over I-80, and park in the dirt area just past the Prosser Creek Bridge. The track starts immediately to the east. From the same starting point are a couple of 17 mile intermediate and advanced rides.
North Reno abounds with great riding, and just south of the Truckee River and Mayberry Drive is the Steamboat Ditch Trail. Parking in the dirt lot on Woodchuck Court (Map it!), beginning riders can charge out-and-back on a singletrack for 7.5 miles, or add on an intermediate section for a total of just under 10 miles. On the longer ride, there's a stomach churning drop where beginners and less gutsy intermediates will prefer to walk their rides. In the same area are some advanced trails; all these are very nicely laid out at www.greatbasinbicycles.com.
Aside from having stellar trail info, Great Basin Bikes (at Plumb and S. Virginia (775-825-8258) is a top-notch shop, with bike repair, sales and rentals. They also offer basic bike maintenance classes; if you learn to fix a tire, you won't need to call AAA if you get a flat.
A little harder:
No list of great Sierra cycling can be without the Flume Trail, which is considered one of the most scenic bike rides in the nation. Classified for intermediates, it's not a ride for sissies. The trail starts out at Spooner Summit State Park (on the east shore), and even though it's a wide trail, it's a steady climb for 3.8 miles, before shooting a fun downhill to Marlette Lake. If you haven't ridden at altitude, the climb will be a scorcher on your lungs.
From Marlette, the true Flume Trail starts, which is a singletrack with spectacular Tahoe views for 4.5 miles. Another warning – there's often steep drop-offs from the trail, so if the scenery is sucking you in, stop pedaling. If you want to see a great photo of both the steepness and the views, go to the 'services' page of the Great Basin Bicycles website.
The singletrack rejoins a wide fire trail, for a downhill to Sand Harbor. In mid-summer, this section can be 3" of silt, so good tires are a must.
At Sand Harbor, there's a choice to pedal back to Spooner on the highway, or pay a fee for the shuttle service. The return pavement ride on Hwy 28 can have crazy-busy summer traffic, so the shuttle is a great option. This service is run by Flume Trail Bikes, a bike and rental shop located at the start of the track. You can get a lot of information on the whole ride at www.theflumetrail.com, and reserve a top-notch mountain bike, if you don't plan to bring your own.
More bike trails
Jones Creek - White's Creek Loop Trail: An intermediate nine-mile bike loop beginning at either Galena Creek Park off of the Mount Rose Highway, just past the treeline.
Mogul - Verdi Loop: An advanced nine-mile loop that begins with a climb of nearly 1,500 feet in elevation. The trail begins off Interstate 80 at the Mogul Exit.
Peavine Mountain: Hundreds of rocky trails for all skill levels exist on Peavine Mountain in Northwest Reno; find access off North McCarran Blvd and Victory Lane, or the ballfields at Rancho San Rafael Park. Some paths take bikers to the top at 7,000 feet. Sierra Adventures in Reno has a permit from the U.S. Forest Service to lead guided rides. Find out more about guided Peavine rides on their website here.
Truckee River Trail: Borders 14 miles of paved trails through downtown Reno-Sparks bordering the Truckee River.
Northstar-at-Tahoe: Offers more than 100 miles of marked trails, which are serviced by chairlifts equipped with racks to take bikers and their bikes from the Village elevation of 6,330 feet to the mid-mountain elevation of 7,040 feet.
Squaw Valley USA: Rugged terrain for the more experienced biker. Bikers can choose to take the tram or embark on the 2,000-foot climb up to the peak. Bike rentals are also available.
