Originally Posted by
arctos
I hope this rambling about the area is helpful. I keep going back through the area for some reason.
Arctos, you've explored this area quite a bit! Thanks for those route suggestions. I'd like to try those backroads in the Bridgeport area someday...
I've toured south on 395 from South Lake Tahoe/Gardnerville to Mono Lake/Tioga Pass. Like artos says, I agree that the 395 above Bridgeport gets narrow and twisty through the canyon as it follows the West Walker River. Because of blind spots around the canyon walls, it's a little dicey. Below Bridgeport, it opens up and is much less stressful (although the traffic goes plenty fast).
My dream is to do a long loop starting from L.A., going north up the 395 to Tahoe, then west to San Francisco and back down the coast to L.A.
PS: I know you said "south" of Reno...but I should mention that north of Reno--Hwy 89 above Lake Tahoe: Sierraville to Quincy to Lassen--is heaven for bike touring. Less traffic, rolling hills and beautiful scenery