Nevada's First Officail US Bicycle Route!

Out and About by Bike....The new(er) Under the Rose.

Given that my weekly bike commuting is limited by a new job (that's not nearly as convenient to get to), I'm trying to make some sight specific trips in the evenings and on the weekends.  Last weekend it was out to the "newer to me" location for Under the Rose Brewing after a bit of music down at the Rolling on the River concert series.   We enjoyed a few beers and would have tried some food but the kitchen closed at 10pm (just as we arrived).  Reno isn't quite the 24 hour town it used to be!

The beers were great and the place was definitely doing business.   It's significantly upscale compared to their humble beginnings on 4th Street back in 2013.  If you haven't been, definitely stop in and check out the new(er) digs. 

Only down side is there is zero bicycle parking (Ha....I guess Midtown does have a parking problem)!  They are however totally cool with letting you wheel your bike right in!

Reno Mayor believes we need Better Bike Infrastructure!

Well, we have some new numbers in from LimeBike (you can link to the article by clicking HERE).  Not surprisingly, Reno locals and tourists alike actually have embraced bicycles and took 36,000 trips and racked up 35,000 miles in one month!  So maybe this will be what it takes for everyone (Ahem...City of Reno and RTC) to get behind building a FULLY integrated, safe bicycle network in Reno.  It was disappointing to see midtown shirk off real bike lanes in the planning process over the last few years.  Hopefully, public statements like this from our Mayor will help swing the tide and not just be another talking point as our election cycle rolls around!

Zero Strap Backpack....The next hipster must have!

Yeah, yeah....say what you want.  You know you totally want one!

New Bike Lanes on Evans!

Click to see the video.

Looks like they are finally putting in some separated bicycle bicycle infrastructure in Reno!  Evans Ave. (which runs from downtown by Louie's Basque Corner up to McCarren along the East edge of UNR) will now have bike lanes from 2nd St. to Highland Ave. and separated multi-use path from Highland Ave. up to McCarren.  A really nice addition to tie UNR to downtown for anyone on bike.

While I'm glad to see this project happening....I'm a little embarrassed for the RTC / UNR as this is a project that was proposed back when I was the Chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) almost 4 years ago.   Projects like this still represent the low hanging fruit...meaning there was no opposition to the project itself....we're just really slow to get the ball moving!

I hope that we can rebuild the crew that pushed for these projects several years ago and really turn Reno into a bicycle metropolis that it has the potential to be.  If your interested in helping drop me a line!

Back Country Skiing....the New Biking....(Well, at least when we get 60+ inches)!

Only pictures of the climbing....the descent was just too fun to get the camera out! 

Sorry, I know it isn't biking related....but you have to love the snow if you live in Reno.  The back country was amazing this weekend as long as you were careful of the avalanche dangers.  Our group skied Rabbit Ears for three laps with waist deep powder and powder over your head at every turn!  Best skiing I've had in years.

I ducked out a little early and the remainder of the crew skied one more lap on Proletariat (higher angle bowl)....and that's where the scary stuff happened.  While I napped in the van, one of the folks in our group took a little higher angle run than the rest.  He triggered a really big slide that caught him, sluiced him through some trees, and partially buried him.  Any way you look at it....he got really lucky.

So, get out and have some snowy fun....but be careful when you do it!

Weekend Report....Snow running!

Gateway to trail running heaven.

Hope you like switchbacks to start your morning!

Patagonia and Steamboat ditch (Tom Cooke) trail has been a staple of my running diet for years.  And since backcountry skiing was off the table with this storm and some ridiculously high avalanche danger....running was my next best choice.  This is what it looked like around 9 am Saturday....apparently it is a darn popular option on a snowy bluebird morning!

The key to running in 6-8 inches of wet snow?   Waterproof socks!  If you run, ride, or just generally like being outdoors regardless of the weather a good pair of Showerpass waterproof socks will make your life a little bit better.  I discovered them (not shockingly) while riding in Eugene, where rain and wet is a daily part of commuting....but they will get plenty of use in conditions like these!

They proved equally as useful for a Sunday morning follow up run at Hidden Valley Park.  While I've know about these trails for years, I rarely used them.  So if you're looking for some new terrain for mountain biking or running do some homework on Hidden Valley.  I'm sure I'll post more since I'm living here now....but there are a ton of great options. 

Hope everyone had as much fun in the snow this weekend as I did!