Corral Trail in South Lake gets a facelift.

I haven't actually ridden the Corral Trail in a while (like years) and I didn't even know about this update to the trail until today.  So take a look at the video about the improvements and see what you think.  I've already got plans for this weekend, but I think I just found new plans for the following weekend!

Weekend Adventure...non-bikey style.

Well, it was time to do something different....so the decision was made to go do a little hike up in the Sierras.  Wifey and I chose the Shirley Canyon trail out of Squaw valley with a little extra add on to get up to high camp.  It's a fairly short hike 2.5 miles one way or so, but you gain about 1400 ft of elevation in those 2.5 miles.  It even includes some nice scrambling up a diorite slab.  Anyway, it's a great hike that runs along a creek almost the entire way, gives you a lake to take a dip in, and allows you to cheat and end up at high camp for a beer and lunch.  To top it all off, you don't have to hike back down....you just hop on the gondola (for free) and ride back down to the village.  So go check it out if you haven't done it.  I couldn't believe such a great hike existed so close and I'd never done it!!

And the pictures:

Hoping the creek.

There's some scrambling involved in several places.

Waterfalls are present in several places.

It's a great hike for fit doggies.

Two works of beauty!

Still a little snow up top.

Plenty of pretty flowers.

A little RNR at High Camp before the gondola ride down.

Definitely a new place to bike to!

It wasn't open on my way home the other night....  I have a suspicion I'll be back to check it out at a later date!

Oregon Outback ride video / Breadwinner Bicycle Ad.

Here's a little video on the Oregon Outback ride.  It took place on Memorial day this year and I really wanted to do it.  It filled up in about a day so I missed my chance.  Basically it's 360 miles from Klamath Falls up to Deschutes State Park and about 75% of the ride is on gravel.  I might try to do it solo late this summer or early this fall.....any takers?

Royalty Rides a Bike.

Found this over at NBCNews.  It appears Kate Middleton's sister recently participated in RAAM (Race Across America) in the relay format.  Still an impressive ride and for a good cause.  And yeah, sorry....you get an add forced on you.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Bicycle friendly events.

All right, I know that I harp on getting out and riding a bit on this blog.  I also know that some of you might even think about it, but there's always a BUT.....that keeps you from doing it.  For some of you it's where you live vs. where you work, that their aren't showers at work, that the roads are busy, or that you're not comfortable in mixed (car / bike) traffic.  These are all valid concerns.  But with a little planning I'm going to give you an event that might just give you an excuse TO ride.

I'll try to come up with some suggestions over the next few weeks.  For today (Tuesday)....meaning I'm giving you 3 full days to prep....I'll suggest Food Truck Friday at Idlewild Park.

A few reasons this might work for you to bike to. 

1)  Centrally located for much of Reno.
2)  It's not work and it runs for 4 hours, so you don't have a tight time table and no one cares if you sweated a little on the way there.
3)  The streets that lead hear from every direction are low speed, low traffic, and most have bike lanes.
4)  You get reward....great food, music, and beer!
5)  There is a ton of bike parking.
6)  It's a really congested even for parking a car.....you'll save 10 minutes time just by riding.

So give it a try this weekend.  You'll have fun, burn the calories you eat and drink, hear some good music, and get to experience a great event by bike!

Reward truck!!

Bicyclist Killed Friday.

From KTVN:

Bicycle BBQ report.

Saturday afternoon I hosted a little BBQ via the Nevada Bicycle Coalition, in support of complete street designs on Keystone Ave.  We had a decent turn out with 15 or so people making an appearance.  Given the fact that we had free beer on tap, 3 dutch ovens cooking, and the grill going, everyone ended up staying all the way until about 5pm.  It looked a little something like this.

While bikey stuff was discussed, we mostly just had a good time getting to know one another.  So if you just need an excuse to ride your bike and enjoy good food and beer, think about joining us in the future.  I'm pretty sure we'll be making this a monthly thing this summer.

Bicycle BBQ!

Ok, I may be insane for posting this on the open internet.....but here goes.  We're throwing a Bicycle BBQ to support bike lanes and complete streets on Keystone Ave. at my house....tomorrow....

If you read this blog even semi-regularly you are invited.  So here's the details.

Saturday 21st of June (tomorrow).
12-5 pm
 (just off Keystone/Coleman Ave.)
Bring a side dish to pass
Biking to the BBQ is optional but encouraged.

Scott will be Dutch oven cooking and we'll have a grill going with burgers, hotdogs, etc.  I'll have a couple kegs of beer available.

Be ready to talk about bikes!!

 

More bike path at Tahoe!

From KTVN:


KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

Biking, Biking, Everywhere.....

If you need to fill your evenings, what could be better than cramming in all the biking you can stand!?  It seems like that's what that's what's been happening for me the last few days.  This all started just because I've lost a few riding buddy's.  One has moved up to Bend and one is out of town for an extended work engagement through July.  So I decided I need to meet some new people who ride. 

This led me to look into the "Tuesday Night Ride Group"....a bunch of mountain bike enthusiasts who find somewhere to ride every Tuesday.  I've seen this group a couple of times.  It's a big group and you can tell they are present by the fact that the trail head is completely packed, with cars strung out down the road.  Kind of impressive actually.  They also are fairly well known for having beer after each ride....definitely my kind of people.

Anyway, this week the ride was the Dry pond loop.  Here's a couple pics.

Looking out over Galena just below Dry Pond.

Trying to find a riding partner was a bust....ended up in between groups riding alone.  But hey, there's something to be said for peace and quiet!

After the Dry pond loop I figured I'd earned a day off.  However, late in the day I got an email about a Reno Cycling and Fitness group get together.  I considered blowing it off, as it's not one of my regular shops.....but the note was from a fellow BPAC (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee) and I figured I should support his event.

I'm glad I did....there was free BBQ and I met a few people I may actually get out for a ride with.  Here's a few pics from the event.

Afterwards I took advantage of being on the south end of Reno and mixed up the commute route on the way home.  The divergent diamond intersection at Moana and 395 is one of the few places we have "green" bike lanes in Reno so it's always fun to ride.

Your own private highway bridge!

Don't ask me why I never knew this was here....I'm sure I've seen it a million times will driving on i-80 (and yes, I do drive).  I guess it's because there are several bridge options to get me across i-80 when going from work to home and they are all fairly low traffic (and perhaps more direct) routes.  Either way, if you like no traffic and want private access this might be the bridge option for you.

And where is this mystery pedestrian and bicycle bridge?  Funny you should ask....it's right here, at the Northern terminus of Arlington Ave.

It connects up to University Terrace on the North side of the highway.  Once you cross going North there is a set of stairs.  You can either carry your bike on this part or hang to the right and there is street access via West St. up to University Terrace. 

Quick recap on a busy weekend.

Well, it was definitely a bikey weekend.  Here's a few pics to sum it up.

Buzz Bomb bicycle sale.

Old school cruisers.

Positively 4th Street.....ice cream via trike!

Reno's first green lane?

Bike Parking....so much more efficient than space for parking cars.

The lull before the dinner rush.  Notice the giant Jenga is still standing.

....and then it wasn't.   And yes, there were goats present!

The weekend is coming....what are your plans? (Updated)

 
Another weekend is upon us.  What will you do with the down time?  There are a lot of options out there so make sure you don't miss out.  For me they will include the Buzz Bomb bike sale (you can get info on this one over at Reno-Rambler (here), the Reno Bike Project bike swap, and of course there's the Positively 4th St. celebration.  It's also food truck Friday down at Idlewild tonight....and I'm sure there are a host of other things going on.  So grab your bike and head out for some fun this weekend.

UPDATE:

Here's some additional info on Positively 4th St. Events and Times.

10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Better Block transformation of 500 block of E. 4th Street 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Mini 4th St. Farmer’s Market 10 a.m. – Noon - Pop-up brunch in Cuddleworks feat. Campo 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Reno Bike Project Bike Swap 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Kids activities in back alley and Valley Arts 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – DJs in back alley Noon – 5 p.m. – Pop-up Record Shop in Kart Sports w/ The Holland Project Noon – 5 p.m. – Food trucks in back alley Noon – 8 p.m. – Under the Rose Brewing Company Beer Garden 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. – ‘String Beings’ performance in back alley 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Pop-up dinner in Cuddleworks feat. Campo 7 p.m. – Close – ‘Passport Live’ presented by KRZQ at Bodega Lounge This is the last call for the Bike Tour starting at 11am. There are only a 10 spots left so don't delay, call now and reserve your place or you're going to miss it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntwqVDzdqAU

Positively Fourth Street.

This Saturday part of 4th St. will be transformed into an urban park.  Similar to the idea of Sunday Parkways up in Portland, a portion (1 lane) of the street will be taken over with food, games, moveable gardens, and seating.  It will be half public park - half street party.  You're encouraged to come down and join in the fun. 

Kind of like this....

Details are below in an RGJ write-up:

Food trucks, local art, music and more will combine on Saturday to promote the growth of East Fourth Street as one of Reno's urban hotspots.  The free event, titled "Positively 4th Street," aims to combat the area's association with crime and homelessness.  Event host Reno Bike Project plans on bringing the area's local businesses and nonprofit organizations together to put on a "better block demonstration."

It's an idea to give the area a face-lift and promote positive changes — with everyone from drivers to cyclists to pedestrians in mind, said Matthew Cramer, the Reno Bike Project's Biggest Little Commuter coordinator.  The daylong event will have everything from a pop-up restaurant to a record swap featuring live music in collaboration with the Holland Project.

And the Reno Bike Project will temporarily restructure large portions of the street.

"Fourth Street is currently a very fast street, not necessarily safest for cyclists and pedestrians," Cramer said. "We're gonna change that, make it a lot more safe and pleasant for people to come down."

Along with dining and music opportunities, the Reno Bike Project will host a beer garden, petting zoo and historical walking tours around the route, which was the first interstate highway in the nation.

"Positively 4th Street" runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday on the 500 block of East Fourth Street.

"Everyone's been extremely positive," Cramer said. "They recognize the potential (and) just want to see the change continue and see growth spreading throughout the area."

Riding is Key!

In this case it literally is.  I've been riding by this broken key for just about 2 years (no joke).  It's moved down the street (1st St.) over the years, but it always resides in the bike lane somewhere.  Right now it's just West of Ralston in the East bound bike lane. 

Look by the riders lower "foot".

Proof positive riding is "key"!

I've considered picking it up....I do actually stop to pick up change (I am Dutch after all), but anymore it's part of my ride.  Sometimes I guess it's just the little things each day that make the ride enjoyable.  So.....what's your key every morning?