For the Love of God...Ride your Bike to Drink Beer!

Folks....this is just terrifying!  Climate change is now threatening our beer supply.  The only clear solution is to ride bikes....to drink beer.  Save the planet one pedaled to pint at a time!

**Clearly....it's a slow bicycle news day.  Sometimes you have to find something to post!**

New Bike share in Reno!

It might be a limited offering for people who live (or work?) out of a certain building, but offering more transportation options that aren't single passenger vehicles is always a great idea!

Click the image for a video link

From KTVN News:  A new bike share service is in town, but the bikes are not lime green and only about 200 residents can use them. It's called Zagster.
Zagster officially launched in Reno, Tuesday. It's in partnership with Basin Street Properties, who wanted to offer the service specifically to its business tenants. They're starting out with six bikes, but could grow to more.
Similar to Limebike, you have to download the app to use it, or you can rent by texting.  However, the general public isn't allowed to ride them.
Users also have to return the bikes to the single docking location on West Liberty Street. Employees get the first four hours of riding for free, then pay two bucks an hour after that.
Basin Street Properties implemented this service to promote a healthy lifestyle for their tenants. Judy Villagomez, Senior Property Manager says, "It's all about sustainability, you know keeping the environment clean, keeping people in shape, getting outside and enjoying the weather we have here."
The pilot program is expected to last at least six months, then they'll evaluate the service. If it's been successful enough, Basin Street Properties could expand Zagster to their other two properties in town.
Villagomez says Zagster did get their business license approved with the City of Reno. We reached out to Zagster but never heard back. A representative with the City of Reno says the company is playing by the rules.
If you'd like to learn more about the service, click here.

Bicycles in America Talk tonight at UNR (4pm and 6pm).

I almost missed this one (yes, it's today)!  Isn't it just terrible when the bicycle based events overwhelm! 

Adventure Cycling Bikepacking Ride on Saturday!

Well, I'm back from vacation and the bikey scene in Reno is rolling!  The tweed ride just wrapped up with an attendance of around 50 people and a there's a bike packing event on Saturday with a prep "packing" event on Friday night.  Both are hosted by Orange Pedal Cycling and the Reno Bike Project so you know they'll be great!  I believe the pre-packing event is Friday night at 7 pm and the ride leaves from the parking lot at 8:30 the next morning.

The trip will take you out to the canyon in the back of Lockwood (Largomarsino Canyon) which has a ton of Indian Rock Artwork and is beautiful to boot.  Aka....Lockwood isn't just a landfill if you were wondering.  So bring a bike....get some advice on how to pack it....and get out for a fall bike packing bonanza!

I think the one way mileage from the trail head is around 14 miles with 1700 feet of climbing.  A great trip with just enough work to make you feel like you earned that beer at the end of the day!

Southeast Connector as Bicycle Infrastructure.

Smooth sailing on the connector path.

I have a love hate relationship with the Southeast Connector.  A little context....if you ride it, you can see my house's back yard across the wetland.  Meaning, I used to have a really silent, remote back yard and now I definitely get some traffic noise during the commute hours.  On the up side, I don't think I've every seen a bicycle facility that gets more daily traffic.  There is literally almost no time when I can't look out my back window and see a cyclist or runner using the path!  And it serves a much needed route from the South Meadows and Double Diamond areas all the way to Sparks, Legends Mall, and beyond.

Last night it proved its worth when I met up with some old friends for dinner.  It sure was nice to ride a 10 mile round trip and not have to mingle with auto traffic!

And it's even lit across some of the bridges!

Wayfinding Signage is Coming to Reno Bike Routes (or at least the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway)!

Yep.  Another step forward is in the works!  A little birdy at Washoe County told me that there is money in the pot for this and they are moving forward on selecting signage options for the river path.  I'm hoping that the standard can then be applied to our bike routes in town....but that will be a separate project to start pushing.  Anyway...another round of positive news for everyone who likes to get around by means other than cars!

New to me Mountain Bike Trail....Ballardini Ranch Trails!

Trail head Map....The future trail connection to Thomas Creek isn't quite finished
but goes a lot farther than the map shows!

At some point during an early morning hot tub and coffee session, it was decided that mountain biking would be happening to celebrate the newly cooler temperatures!  As my girlfriend is now working for Washoe County as a trail/rec planner, we decided we should definitely ride in an area that is up for some additional project work.  Turns out it was easy to find and really close for us.  Just a quick trip heading south on Lake Side Dr. and then turn West on Lone Tree Lane and you'll run into the nice little trail head.

There's two principle loops that would total out at about 2.2 miles of riding....but the real treat once your legs are warmed up, is to head out on the connector trail.  You'll get about 850 feet of climbing over 6.5 miles (total) with this option.  It's classic Reno high desert single track (aka rocky in places) with great views from the top of the climb and a bomber of a run on the way back down. 

So if you're looking to ride something super local and not Peavine Mountain for the umpteenth time....head over and give the trails at Ballardini Ranch a spin.  It's another resource that gives a quick local ride for the morning and with a little support and love could add some new trail to your standard Dry Pond loop!