Franktown Loop

March 8, 2013

Here in Northern Nevada we've been blessed with some very warm, sunshine drenched days during this winter.  We also have a lot of places to ride your bicycle and this is a very nice training loop.

Between Carson City and Reno is the Washoe Valley.  This valley is on the map of the old T.V. show 'Bonanza' and recently the I580 Fwy was completed through the middle of the valley.  That leaves the old 395 and the roads along the edge of the valley pretty much traffic free.  To find this ride, get off and head for Bowers Mansion which is a state park with a huge parking lot.  From the parking lot, head south on old
395 to Franktown Rd.  This road curves around at the base of the Carson range of mountains and then rejoins old 395.  Here's a couple of pictures taken on this road:

I had stopped here as this is a fairly steep hill that will likely leave your heart pounding and your lungs gasping for air.  Beautiful scenery up here in the pine trees.  The road has a series of hills and downgrades, just enough to work you a bit.  Here's another view from a bit farther along the loop, this time looking up at the Carson range:

And then the road rejoins the old 395 and you head north back to Bowers Mansion with again great views of the Carson range:

I don't have a 'puter on the bike, but from what I hear the loop is about 10 miles from start to finish and is a great training ride with very little traffic.  Try it some bright, sunny day!

Truckee River Trail

There's been some beautiful ridiing days here in the Carson Reno area lately. Recently, I had a chance to head down the Truckee River trail which goes from Idylwild Park in downtown Reno to Sparks. My son, along with a friend and myself caught the trail off Spice Island Drive in Sparks and headed to Reno. Here's a view of the trail off Spice Island drive:

This trail is interesting as most of the path does not seem to have been a rail road at one time.  There's lots of little hills, tight little turns, underpasses to shoot through and this bridge which has brand new decking:

And at the end of the trail in Reno, you have Idyllwild Park and downtown Reno to visit for lunch:

This is a bikepath that I know I'll be back to ride again!