Moving to Reno
 

Hi everyone, long time no see!

It's been ages since I've been here - is anything new? Can someone provide me with a quick summary of what I missed? I think my last post was sometime in November, 2012.

Anyway, a lot has happened to me which is hard to summarize, so I'll skip to the main part of the story. I currently live in Poway, CA (having left Pitcairn Island months ago), but I'm about to move, in September, to Reno, Nevada. I visited on vacation recently and fell in love with the mountains, Lake Tahoe, the lack of a state income tax, the lower cost of living, etc.

I haven't biked in forever. In fact, tonight I had a major and very pleasant surprise. I was out in my shed seeing if there was stuff I could discard before the move. At the front of the shed I've kept my grocery / utility bike, and for the life of me, I thought that was all I had. I had a distinct memory of selling my road bike during a time when expenses were high and funds were low.

So there I am, moving boxes around, and at the back of the shed I see a tiny portion of a tire. Huh? What's that? Oh - it's probably just a spare tire for the grocery bike. Let's pull out a few boxes and have a look.

No! No! NOOOO! It's NOT a spare tire - it's Mrs. Jones! My gorgeous carbon fiber way over my head lighter than a feather beautiful WHITE bike! The one I thought I'd sold! Woohoo! I still have her in my life!

So my question is "How's the cycling in Reno?" I know I'm not ready for the mountain roads, but what about around town? Anyone know?

After letting myself go for a year or two, I finally started eating right and talking long (hilly) walks here in Poway, and in the last two months, I've dropped 18 pounds and 6.5" around my waist. (Don't ask my starting numbers...) So while I'm not bike-fit, I'm not completely out of shape either.

Anyway - Reno comments?

Hi, DG - lately its been - well - a little rougher and tougher, IMHO. I don't think the Diegos would be tolerated any more.

Sorry, I have no info about Reno - driven through there a couple of times, and the road over the passes going west nearly killed the van my wife and I were driving to San Francisco for my son - bad shocks and terrible freeway road.

That's all I know - I stayed at the Motel 6 in about 1989. Does that count?

You might check the regional forums.

Don't know a lot about Reno, except the Hot August Nights car show is pretty big, and Tahoe is close.

DG, I've been to Reno many times but the last time was over 6 years ago. Only been cycling two years...

But I've driven the area a lot and the roads are good, some real nice areas to ride should be easy to find. Flat, hilly to mountains. I know there is a big bike ride around Lake Tahoe.

I do recall seeing a lot of cyclists during the weekends in the suburbs. Good luck I always enjoyed the many times I visited/vacationed in the area.

Richard

Lots of action around Reno. One of the biggest and best clubs is the Reno Cycle Club based out of Reno Cycling and Fitness on Longley lane. Guided rides for all skill levels. If you want to do fast, high mileage rides or get into the local race scene, these are the folks to see. Upcoming rides and events are listed on meetup.com. You don't have to be a member to ride. Reno has a lot of interesting areas to explore so come on down and have fun!

Tagged.

Welcome back, DG. You've been missed. Nothing new. All the topics just go in cycles. You can probably jump right in and feel like you didn't miss a beat.

I'm very interested in what you find out, as northwest NV is on my retirement radar also. I know that cycling around the lake is very popular. I expect that most people haul their bikes up the hill for a ride at the lake. Beautiful up on top. I'm not so sure down below.

I don't live in Reno but I live in the carson valley about fifty miles from Reno. We have the death ride here that they hadlast weekend I think. I commute here in the valley and I enjoy it. I rode in heat today it was 95 degrees. My daughters both go to school in Reno and I would ride there.

yep, lots of great places to ride around Genoa, Minden and Gardnerville. The Little City race is in that area this weekend.

Welcome back DG.
Been to Reno a lot, scoped it out for riding but never had time when I was there. Looks good but be prepared for wind.
One ride that has my eye is the Kingsbury Grade to Lake Tahoe from Gardnerville

Congratulations on your move to Reno . Its always nice not to have to worry about ice and snow any more .:thumb:

Here I thought when I read the title he was headed to Reno, the divorce capital of the world, to divorce Mrs. Jones. I was planning on stepping up to the plate and offer her a home. But, after reading the rest of the post I don't think the divorce will be going through. Have fun checking out the new roads and trails of your new place.

No idea about the cycling, but it is the Eastern Sierra, after all. I'd be shocked if there weren't some great climbs and quiet roads out there.

I could do Reno. :)

Two hours away is Lassen Park, that has some good roads for riding.

I was in Reno 3 years ago. While friends were either sleeping or gambling, I rode the Verdi-Sparks section of the Tahoe Pyramid Bikeway, one afternoon from Downtown Reno to the Verdi end of the trail, the other from Downtown Reno to the Sparks end of the trail. If you are not ready for mountain roads, it is a pretty easy ride, mostly pretty gentle uphill when you are heading upstream. The most notable climb I remember was about a 1/4 mile stretch in Mogul, but not a nasty, brutish climb.

At the Verdi end, I did choose to go off the bikeway to do a little uphill riding, just to cross the state line into California. I saw all the cyclists were coming down Bridge St. in Verdi, so after I got to the "official" Verdi end of the bikeway, I came back to Bridge and went up until I crossed the state line, then turned around and went back downtown. That was probably more climbing than I did on the entire Sparks-Verdi stretch of the bikeway.

As others have mentioned, there are plenty of good places to ride in the area, but beyond the Bikeway, I've got no idea how it is to ride around town (other than that it was no big deal getting from the Silver Legacy to the bikeway and back).

Thanks for all the responses and tips, guys. I'm really looking forward to hopping back on the bike and exploring Reno and northern Nevada. I've lived in San Diego for 39 years, and yes, it's an amazing place - BUT - I've done everything I've wanted to do here, several times over. At 62, I'm ready for a new Grand Adventure and this one certainly qualifies. I'll probably love it, but I might hate it. Either way, with the move coming up I'm feeling more alive than I have in years. I make the move in about seven weeks. Now it's time to start packing. Ugh.

When we were in Reno in 2010 it seemed that we ran across a Sierra Trading Post store. :thumb:

I think the most interesting thing you missed was.One of our gang was reported as dead only to have himself report that the account was not accurate.Welcome back and good luck in Reno!

If enough Californians flee to Nevada, Nevada in short order will need a state income tax to remain solvent.

I hear El Paso is nice.

I lived in El Paso once, for two years. Some say it's a great place to raise kids. I say that might be true, but that doesn't negate the fact that it's a million miles from anywhere.

Gary-good luck with the move and the new area. I have on my list to do the loop around the lake one of these days.

We will miss your pictures of your rides around San Diego. I still have vivid memories of nicely tanned bodies on roller blades.........get your camera back out and share some of the scenic spots around Reno when you get settled!

Nice trail along the river. i used to walk it a lot. a lot of shade.....
You will have no shortage of riding opportunities in the area

Welcome to Reno! I think the riding is great in this area. The winters have been mild the last several years. Summer sunset is late so even a scorched day will cool off enough to ride in the evening. Mornings are good too, for other people.