A Dry Start to the New Year

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Jeff Moser

I got out for my first mountain bike rides of the year last week. Typical January weather…sunny and in the 50s! Shorts and a short sleeve jersey were all you needed on some days. With the exception of a little ice in the shadiest areas, conditions on the ground feel more like late summer or early fall.

A less than snowy Sierra Nevada

Just how dry is it out there? It’s been reported that December was the driest on record for this area in 130 years, with no rain or snow recorded. We’re continuing the streak into January, with no precipitation on the horizon at least through the middle of the month. Fire danger warnings have been issued, and many wild fires continue to pop up throughout the area.

Snowpack compared to last year

Flume Trail Bikes up at Spooner Lake reports that the high country is even still open for riding. People are actually riding the Flume Trail! According to their Facebook page:

If you ride in the high country assume that there will be water/ice around every corner. Have fun but be careful. There have been a few rescues from the Marlette Lake area in the last couple of weeks. It is a bit snowy and icy around Marlette Lake.

Looking towards Kings Canyon in the distance

This north facing canyon is usually buried in snow

I also heard from a running friend that her group was able to do the Lakeview-Hobart Reservoir-Ash Canyon Loop without much trouble at all. Just a little snow and ice here and there in the shade.

Tom Price on the high plateau

Here are a few more photos from the area…

Canyon behind C Hill, looking towards Prison Hill

Dry golden grass in Ash Canyon

No snow along the creek either

There is no snow to be seen on Slide Mountain or Mount Rose either. For a 10,776 ft mountain to be snowless in January is just crazy. Strangely enough, the water level in Washoe Lake looks decent without much beach exposed.

Even the high peaks above Washoe Lake are snow free

For the next several days, we don’t have much choice but to enjoy this nice weather. I think everyone feels a bit nervous though. Low snowpack can mean bad wildfires later in the year, making it too smokey to healthily enjoy outdoor activities. Drought in the mountains has also driven the bears into town in years past. There seemed to be bears everywhere back in 2007! Who knows what the months ahead will bring though. We sure got a big surprise last February.

For now, get out there and ride!

December Riding

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Jeff Moser

Going through my December photos for this post didn’t take long at all, since there were very few to choose from. It looks like I’ve only been out on the trails once the whole month! A number of excuses come to mind, but it’s mostly because I just haven’t been motivated to get out in the freezing cold.

Tom Price on the Seven Steps trail

Bicycle commuting hasn’t been bad. Bundle up and ride at a casual pace. It’s hard not to work up a sweat while you’re out mountain biking though. Even with the best clothes, winter biking is a lot like cooking a frozen burrito in a microwave. Even-heating throughout the burrito is near impossible. Some parts are too hot, others are still frozen.

I got out for ride with the guys in Ash Canyon last Friday. As expected, it was slightly warmer up on the hill than in downtown. We paused at the trailhead for clothing adjustments and stripping jackets, and then began an ascent with the wind at our backs that was actually quite pleasant. Feeling in my fingers started returning by the top of the climb.

The descent wasn’t as pleasant though. We were headed back into the cold north wind, creating a windchill that had to be down in the teens. Eyes were watering, noses were running, and I felt my forehead numbing even under the micro-fleece skull cap. I think I had slight brain dysfunction by the time I got back to the office.

Descending the Vicee Rim Trail

I think part of the problem is that we still have dry, fall-like trail conditions, but also have frigid winter air. You can ride just as fast as you could a couple months ago, when really, it’s the time of year when we’re usually plodding along in the snow and mud. The extra rolling resistance and slower speed on the usual winter terrain keeps your body warmer. Plus I think there’s something motivating about seeing the trails in a whole new way. It’s fun to explore the winter wonderland when there’s rideable snow on the ground.

But since it looks like we’re in for several more cold and sunny days, the best thing to do to stay warm is carry some extra gear with you. A small pack with a windbreaker, extra head protection like a balaclava or knit hat that fits under your helmet, and thicker weatherproof gloves for descending would go a long way to keeping the ride fun. Stow the extra gear for the climbs, then bundle up for the downhill. I never have a problem with my feet overheating in the winter, so stay warm with some neoprene overshoes like the Endura MT500s (reviewed HERE on Bike Carson), or simply go with hiking boots and flat pedals.

How is your winter riding going? Is the cold keeping you off the bike, or have you been braving the elements?

Nevada Day Weekend

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Jeff Moser

We had fantastic weather this Nevada Day weekend, and it was a great time to get out on the bike (isn’t it always though?). On Friday, I got to explore the new C-Hill trail. Later that day, I got the bikes all polished up for the Nevada Day Parade!

Lining up with the Grand Marshal

My family and I had the honor of riding up front with the Grand Marshal in Saturday’s Nevada Day Parade. This year’s theme was “The Great Outdoors”, and we represented mountain biking. Along with us were some anglers, hikers, backpackers, and a few kids representing the various ball sports.

The parade begins

Even though we were near the front, there was still a good deal of horse manure to navigate through. I chose to steer clear of it, while my son saw it as an obstacle course, choosing instead to weave in and out of the green road apples, not unlike an asteroid scene out of Star Wars. While it looked fun, the possibility of sliding out and crashing in a fresh batch of meadow muffins in front of hundreds of onlookers didn’t seem worth the risk to me. Luckily he rode the whole parade route with no mishaps.

Nevada Day Parade – photo by Bethany Drysdale

We saw a few familiar faces along the parade route, but for the most part, it was sensory overload. Between the hundreds of parade goers shouting from the sidelines, the bellowing of the vuvuzelas, the hullabaloo of horns and drums from the Carson High marching band that we closely trailed, I had tunnel vision. So if I missed your wave, my apologies. It was over too quick, but we did have a lot of fun. Thank you to Joy Evans from the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau for the invite to be part of the parade!

Video Shoot – Climbing Ash Canyon Road

Later in the day after the parade, we joined a few other mountain bikers for the filming of an upcoming mountain bike promotional video that will eventually appear on the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, www.visitcarsoncity.com.

Video Shoot – Descending Ash Canyon Road

Around a dozen mountain bikers of all ages gathered up in Ash Canyon. Before we got riding though, we shot some hiking video. The videographer wanted my wife and our two dogs to be the hikers, but then suggested that more people be included in the scene. My son and I joined in, me in all my cycling gear, minus helmet and gloves. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but I suspect it will look a little odd. I’m glad I wasn’t wearing tights.

Video Shoot – Singletrack

The videographer got some good footage of us riding on Ash Canyon Road, but we all insisted that we get some video of singletrack riding as well. If you want people from afar to come ride here, a simple fire road may not be all that enticing. Luckily we were right at a trail junction, so it was just a short climb up the embankment for the next filming. We all climbed up a series of switchbacks, regrouped, and then descended for the camera. It should look pretty cool. When I find out when the video has been edited and posted, I’ll let you know.

Video Shoot – Finishing Up

It’s great to see that Carson City is really behind the mountain biking and other outdoor activities this area has to offer. If we want people to visit Carson City, stay, and spend money here, we need to offer more than just dark smokey casinos.

I didn’t make it to the other bicycle events this weekend. Did you? How were they?

CVTA needs your help to finish trails

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Jeff Moser

From Carson Valley Trails Association (http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/)

This is an urgent call for help building trail up Sierra and Genoa Canyons (up to the Tahoe Rim Trail) to all mountain bikers.

Background: The CVTA is dedicated to providing access and developing trail in the Carson Valley for all users (hikers, bikers, and equestrians). Under a matching state grant program, the CVTA was able to build a significant new trail network from Eagle Ridge (N of Genoa) to Genoa Canyon and up Sierra Canyon to the TRT (near Genoa Peak) this summer. The mountain bike possibilities on this trail are tremendous including loops and downhill runs starting from the TRT between Daggett and Spooner Summits.

Construction on the Genoa Foothill Trail System

What is needed: CVTA is in desperate need of volunteers to help build trail (at this point mostly trail cleanup). Hours are needed to comply with the matching portion of the state grant. The deadline to provide matching volunteer hours is the end of calendar year 2011. If bikers are going to be users of this trail it is only fair that they pitch in to help build and maintain the trail.

What you can do: Trail building dates are posted on the CVTA web site: http://www.carsonvalleytrails.org/Programs-Calendar.html

All tools are provided and NO experience is necessary. We need all cycling groups to post this message to their members. Help is needed urgently as future trail development is contingent of the success of this major initiative.

Please pick a date and show up. If you enjoy the trails you should realize that they are only exist because of the hard work of many volunteers. Won’t you be one of them?

CVTA invites you to “Build for Bill”

Saturday, October 22, 2011
8am to 3pm
Genoa Canyon (located at the end of Carson St in Genoa)

Come to Genoa Canyon and “Build for Bill” on Saturday, October 22. Every hour of trail building that you donate will be an hour of support for Bill Hay, CVTA president, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, which prevents him from doing the trailbuilding he loves. For more information on how you can help, see the “Build for Bill” flyer (.pdf).

Night Riding

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Jeff Moser

A friend of mine was recently returning from an evening ride he was pulled over by the cops for not having the proper rear lighting. When he explained that he had been up mountain biking in Ash Canyon, and that his tail light had bounced off the mounting bracket, they cop eyed him suspiciously and said, “Don’t you think it’s a little late to be up there riding a bike?”

Bar Mounted Light

As kids, our parents gave us permission to go out on the bike “as long as we were back before dark”. Today, many people cut rides short, leave social events early, and scramble to get home when the sun starts going down. Far too many people enjoy the downtown social life using their cars to get home when they shouldn’t be. But cycling is still possible after dark. For the price of a tank of gas, you can buy some decent bicycle lights and keep bicycling year round, day or night. Lights can extend the hours of available mountain biking too. This is important to many riders, now that the sun is setting so early.

Helmet Mounted Light

I suspect a lot of people don’t know that riding your bike at night can be a lot of fun. Whether you’re pedaling through the dark woods, along a moonlit mountain singletrack, or cruising city streets beneath the neon lights, riding at night is an all new cycling experience. A feeling of floating rather than rolling. Less to look at and far fewer distractions. Many of your usual visual cues are not visible, and you may forget where you are momentarily if you let your mind drift. Your other senses are heightened. You might really feel the wind in your face, or notice just how loud a creek is for the first time. The trail you ride everyday may seem very unfamiliar at night, giving that same old trails new life. It can even be a little spooky at times.

A nice change to the same old trail

High-end lighting technology has come a long way. Thanks to LED lights, batteries are a lot more compact than they used to be, are quickly recharged, and have long burn times. Batteries are now small and light enough to be clipped onto your stem, bars, helmet, or other convenient location. Some batteries are even contained within the light, removing the need for a separate mount.

How much light you need is based on what type of riding you’ll be doing. A cheap $15 light might produce just enough light to alert motorists of your presence, but not provide you much illumination to light up the road. This may be ok if you plan to slowly cruise the city streets, but you can quickly overrun your lights if you pick up the pace. A light system costing a few hundred bucks will light up your world, and will allow you to ride at the same speed you might during full daylight. Lights of this caliber would be a good choice for racing or negotiating technical terrain.

Watching the full moon rise

My current headlight is somewhere in between. It’s a 110 lumen MiNewt from Nite Rider. For around $100, I got the light, rechargeable battery (can also be charged with a USB outlet), mounts for different sized handlebars, and a helmet mount. It’s more than enough light for riding around town at full speed, and provides me with enough light to enjoy the few night time mountain bike rides I do each year. It mounts/un-mounts easily with no tools, and fits in my pocket if I want to take it off once I reach my destination.

Night riding is fun for all!

Bar Mount vs. Helmet Mount

Some lights come with mounting hardware that allow you to mount the light to the handlebars or the helmet. Mounting a light on the handlebars shines light where your bike is headed. A light on the helmet shines light where you’re looking. Handlebar mounted lights are convenient and adequate for most urban riding, but many mountain bikers prefer running both. Riding technical trails at speed requires that you see what’s in front of your bike, but also what’s coming up around the next turn. When doing a fast turn in the daylight, we look through the turn and use our peripheral vision to see what is directly in front of us. Running two lights allows you to do this when it’s dark. The helmet light is also nice for peering into the bushes and making sure that twig you just heard snap isn’t a mountain lion or some other large, purely imagined, carnivorous mammal.

Planet Bike Superflash

Taillights and Other Lights

Taillights are much more affordable than headlights, since their main purpose is just to make you be seen. I went with a Planet Bike Superflash for around $26. It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other taillights, but it’s very bright. It’s a good choice for all season visibility, and has worked good even during snow storms. Some companies make little lights that can mount pretty much anywhere on the bike. You can get creative with these; for example, you might stick some on your seat tube to help increase visibility from the sides.

Be seen at night. Don’t be a bike ninja!

Some Tips for Night Riding

Check the forecast before you leave, and be aware of what the temperatures will be after the sun goes down. It can cool down quickly after nightfall. Wind vests, arm warmers, and headbands don’t take up much room in your pack, and keep you comfortable if you need them.
It’s still a good idea to have eye protection after dark. Get some clear lenses, or wear your eyeglasses. I don’t see very good after dark without my eyeglasses, so I prefer better vision at the expense of a little wind protection.
You don’t need a taillight for off-road riding, and sometimes they can bounce off the mount if you do take them off-road. I keep one in my pack though for the ride home. Once I return to the city streets, I just clip it on.
If you’re wearing a light on your helmet, cover it or turn it off when you look at people to talk to them. It’s easy to forget the light is up there, and your riding buddies don’t appreciate being blinded.
Don’t leave your expensive lights on your bike when it’s unattended on the bike rack. You could easily lose your investment and have to ride home in the dark.

Do you have any night riding tips to share? What lights are you using?

Tahoe Rim Trail to Flume Trail Loop

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Jeff Moser

Not only was summer late getting here this year, but my wife and I found ourselves moving across town just as the season started. Hearing our friends talk about their Lake Tahoe adventures as we spent our weekends in a dirty garage sorting through old junk was getting us down. But finally we were moved, and ready to go play on the trails! It was a celebration. Last weekend Kristy and I headed up to Spooner Summit for a loop on the Tahoe Rim Trail and Flume Trail.

North Canyon

After a leisurely morning of getting the bikes ready, we headed up to Spooner Lake. We were on the trail just after noon, and took our time getting over to North Canyon. Riding up at the Lake is exciting, and sometimes you catch yourself heading out too fast. It’s best to conserve your energy for the climbs that await you though. It was on our initial climb that we had the only “crash” of the day. I was in the middle of the trail, letting Kristy get by me as I rested. As she passed, I swung my body around, hitting her firmly in the shoulder with my backpack. This sent her front wheel up the steep bank, causing her to loose balance and fall over. Oops. “Sorry, sweetie! I’m sure those people up the trail pretending not to look didn’t see a thing!”.

Lush Forest on Hobart Road

When we got to the really steep part at the end of North Canyon, we played mountain bike leap frog. Kristy rode the hill non-stop in the granny gear, and I, being on my single speed, would pass her and then rest. Then she’d pass me again while I was getting my lungs back in my chest. We repeated this sequence all the way up to the saddle above Marlette Lake.

Climbing the very steep Hobart Road

After a nice descent down to Marlette Lake, we just kept riding, heading along the east side of the lake on Hobart Road. The foliage is lush and thick here, and the road was pitted with many mud holes. For a time, it felt like being in New England rather than Nevada. It wasn’t long before we left the deciduous trees though, and climbed up and away from the lake. The road gets really steep here, and I decided that I wasn’t going to get any medals for not putting a foot down. It was time to push my bike. My knees thanked me. This section of trail is under 2 miles, and there are breaks here and there, but I was really looking forward to getting to the top.

Mules Ears on the Tahoe Rim Trail

I’ve done this loop a few times, but always in the clockwise direction. My reasoning was that I didn’t want another big climb immediately following the grueling ascent up North Canyon. After being chastised by a friend though, “You never climb singletrack, and then ride down a road! You did it backwards!”, I decided to toughen up and just get all the climbing done up front.

On top of the world

We had just finished the worst of the steep climb when we ran into friends Dan and Wendy. They were doing the loop clockwise for the first time and remarked that counterclockwise was the way to go. With their insight and the worst behind us, I was excited to get on the Tahoe Rim Trail just ahead.

View of Marlette and Tahoe from the Rim Trail

Not far into the Tahoe Rim Trail section, we came to the TRT Campground. It’s developed quite nice with a few sites, complete with some nice picnic tables, a bathroom, and even a well. If you’re running low on water, and don’t have a filter, this stop may be your best bet.

We have to go over this? Really?

From here, the Tahoe Rim Trail climbs up out of the trees, and gives the rider good views of the valleys to the east. One particular section is full of tall healthy Mules Ears, and the trail looks like it climbs up into the clouds. A group of mountain bikers apologized that they were blocking the trail for photos, but I told them not to worry. I was stopping too!

Hiking the snow bank

The remaining climb up Marlette Peak was very enjoyable with incredible vistas. A variety of wildflowers covered the ground, nearby mountain peaks towered around us, and the trail climbed and twisted its way to the top. As the trail crests the peak, you feel like you’re riding on top of the world. Once back on the west side of the mountain, you get treated to an almost sacred view of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe together. I always have to stop here and just stare. It’s a wonderful spot to have lunch and rehydrate.

Descending the switchbacks to Tunnel Creek Road

After reluctantly leaving the heavenly views of Marlette Peak, we continued north along the Tahoe Rim Trail. Riding on perfect trails with only a bit of mud here and there in the shadows almost made me forget the trail conditions mentioned on the Flume Trail website. We came around a corner to a massive white wall, and then I remembered the words, “A bit less than 5 minutes of hiking is all it takes to traverse this snow bank.” Wow. How could it be that the ground was completely dry where I was standing, but covered in 10 feet of snow just a few feet away? The trail disappeared underneath the glacier, and a dirty staircase stomped into the snow climbed up and over and out of sight. Kristy said, “Really?”

Twin Lakes

The soles of Kristy’s shoes are pretty worn, and she was having problems getting traction climbing the snow. It took some time to get up onto the bank, but once up top, we found firm snow for walking. The path came perilously close to some deep tree wells, so we took our time. Before long we could see the dirt again. Once we rejoined the trail, it was clear of snow for the rest of the ride.

View of Sand Harbor from the Flume Trail

After finishing up the last little climb, it was time to descend the switchbacks all the way down to Tunnel Creek Road. We had a blast zipping through the trees, rolling over boulders, and trying to find the best line through the obstacles. Kristy thanked me for not making her climb this section. At the bottom we passed Twin Lakes. This may have been the first time I’ve actually seen water in these two seasonal ponds. Usually it’s just a meadow by the time I get up there.

Keep Left

Once at Tunnel Creek road, it was just a short descent down to the Flume Trail. Climbing this steep road is always tough, so it was a real treat to just effortlessly coast down! We got onto the north end of the Flume Trail and began our easiest pedal of the day so far. The smooth, packed, heavily-used Flume Trail gave us a nice break from the technical Tahoe Rim Trail.

Water Crossing at Marlette Dam

When we got to the cliff section, we both remarked that it seemed scarier than normal. Maybe it was just a different feeling having the drop-off on the right hand side. Or maybe a cliff is just a cliff, and this trail gives you a thrill no matter how many times you’ve ridden it. I said I wasn’t going to stop for pictures that much, but the views are so beautiful through here, that it’s almost impossible not to reach for the camera. It was a bit later in the day by now, and we didn’t encounter too much oncoming traffic. We even saw some groups we passed in North Canyon earlier in the day.

Smooth forest road along Marlette Lake

We climbed up to Marlette Lake at the top of the Flume Trail, and rode past the dam. Later in the year it’s possible to ride this section and stay dry, but with the water so high right now, we were going to get wet. Normally I like to keep my drive train and other moving parts dry, but there wasn’t an easy way around the water this day. It was splash, splash, splash as the pedals smacked the water until we were back on the road around Marlette Lake.

Marlette Lake

It was nearing 5PM, and the forest road was peaceful and shady. It was nice and relaxing after the Flume Trail where you constantly have to pay attention. I even rode with no hands for a bit. Storm clouds were brewing to the south, and far away thunder rumbled. It still seemed far in the distance though, so we didn’t feel rushed, only enjoying the beauty of Marlette Lake in the subdued light.

Still some big puddles

The climb back from Marlette Lake to North Canyon is not long, but it always seems like a grinder at the end of a long day. We took our time getting to the saddle, looking forward to the long four mile descent back to the trailhead. The sky was getting darker, and a few raindrops fell here and there. There were still riders coming up the canyon, just starting their ride late in the day with the dark clouds chasing them.

Leaving Marlette Lake

We made it back to the trailhead and checked in with my son. He said he was worried about us, because of all the thunder and rain back home. Apparently most of the weather had missed us. We only had a few drops, and the weather was already starting to clear again. It’s strange to go to the mountains to get out of the weather. We were both exhausted, but had a great time. Plans for the next adventure are already underway!

The complete photo collection of this trip can be found on Flickr HERE.

Maps, trail conditions, and information about bike rentals can be found on The Flume Trail Website.

Getting the Kids Outdoors

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Jeff Moser

When I was a kid, we spent a good deal of our summer outside, coming home only to eat and sleep. Our BMX bikes were our ticket to freedom, allowing us to get all around town and out into the hills for some play and adventure. These days though, not as many kids are doing this. Many of our childhood play places have been developed. Traffic isn’t as safe. The houses have air conditioning. Video games, Internet, iPods, and other electronics keep our kids (and to be fair, many adults too…) enthralled and entertained. Too many excuses. Too many distractions.

Young Mountain Bikers

I want to make sure I instill the love of the outdoors in my son, the same way it was done to me when I was young. And although I’ve tried hard to make this happen, I still see all that other stuff taking hold of his attention. With my son’s recently acquired full-sized 26″ wheeled mountain bike though, the outdoors now have more than a fighting chance to keep him interested.

Summer vacation is in full swing now, and we’re finally getting some nice weather. My son and his buddy joined us for a lunch ride today, and we climbed up into Vicee Canyon for some singletrack. I was on the lookout for snakes or some other creature, something the boys might find exciting. Near the top of the climb, we spotted a large bird circling above us. Too big to be a hawk? Too far away to tell… A short time later, the bird had caught something, and was beginning its meal on a log. The prey looked too big to be a large mouse…

The bird was way too proud of its catch to take flight and leave it behind, and it allowed us to creep in for a really close look. Definitely not a hawk, and definitely not a mouse. It was a Golden Eagle, and it had a rabbit the size of a cat in its talons! Fur that was stuck to its beak blew in the light breeze, and its steady raptor eyes warned us that it would fight for its lunch. We crept up within 12 feet of the eagle to snap a photo, then retreated to let it do its thing.

Golden Eagle with a freshly caught rabbit

This turned out to be an exciting distraction from the workout of the climb, and then it was time for some downhill! We reached the turnoff to a nice long singletrack that follows the rim down along Vicee Canyon. We descended down smooth, fast, swooping trail, and marveled at the creek far down below us in the canyon. Perhaps not unlike what the eagle experiences during its hunt. We had one wipe-out in a sandy corner that got some laughs, and at the bottom, there was much excited talk and instant replay of the descent. We had just had a lot of fun outside. An adventure even. Take THAT, Nintendo.

Bike Carson

Bicycle News, Culture, and Lifestyle in Carson City, Nevada

Tag Archives: mountain biking