Verdi
This is one of the most popular ride routes in Reno. With the construction of the bike path link between Mogul and Verdi it is no longer necessary to ride on the shoulder of I-80 to get to Verdi. This addition has made the ride much safer and enjoyable for novice and experienced riders alike. A good starting point for this loop is Mayberry and McCarran. You can park your at the elementary school or the Waldens cafe if you are not riding from another part of town. Proceed west on Mayberry until it dead ends into 4th street. Turn left and ride to the westbound on ramp of I-80. You do not have to enter the freeway. Turn right and cross the cattle guard and continue on 4th street paralleling the freeway. You can either turn right at Cliff View and ride around the subdivision or go up the hill to the Mogul freeway exit and proceed to the second right turn which is Silva Ranch. At this point the route through the subdivision will meet with this shorter route. If you are coming from the Cliff View loop turn right up the hill. If you are coming on Silva Ranch just keep going straight. Both routes now go up a fairly steep hill for about three quarters of a mile. Once the hill is conquered it is a flat 500 feet to the newly constructed connecting bicycle path. Take a moment and read the plaque there and pay respects to those contributors who made this bike path possible. The path lasts for about a mile right onto the main street of Verdi at the first freeway exit. Turn right and follow the road. You will probably see riders almost anytime you take this route. This is probably the most popular bike route in all of Reno. Travel past the Truckee River and up a small hill after a left hand curve. Once over the hill proceed down over another bridge and up another grade and into the residential area of Verdi. Once here you can go any of three directions. The most popular route will take you to the right. I will describe this option. The other parts of this ride will be described as we go. After turning right onto Bridge Street go past the elementary school and down the hill and over the bridge. Bare left over a small one lane bridge. At this point you can either turn right onto Dog Valley Road and do some serious climbing or follow Bridge Street. Check out the beautiful scenery and prepare for another short but steep hill (best to be in a low gear for this one.) Once this hill is conquered just bare left and follow the road. Be sure to check out the scenic sierra mountains on your right. One more left turn in about a mile and a half then back on the main drag of Verdi just north of the casino. If you need water or food there is an Indian smoke shop and a Taco Bell right there. Turn left and back to Verdi’s residential area. You can follow this road all the way back to the bike path at the other end of town or take a right on Crystal Peak Park and go under the freeway. Cross the railroad tracks and either turn left back to the main intersection and back the way you came or if you are up for more of a challenge follow the road (do not turn left and go up the hill and wind around until you get to the Boomtown Casino and the new Cabellas superstore. Go up the hill and over I-80. Keep going around the left hand bend and take the first right on Old Town Rd. Follow this till it ends and bare right up the hill part way and turn left on Erminia. Take the next left on to Mario and down the big hill. Follow the road around until it ends and bare left then a quick right onto a gravel road and some Sierra Pacific Power land. If you do not like to ride on gravel do not go this way. You must turn around and go back or walk the gravel. I would suggest walking. It is a lot shorter. Follow the gravel path down over the big wood bridge that crosses the Truckee river and at the end you will find pavement again that will take you right back into Mogul. Just turn left and go up the hill to 4th street and back to McCarran the same way you came out. Remember to turn right at Mayberry if you came out that way. The ride is easy from there.
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Keys to the Ride 1. Easy rolling ride on Mayberry and left to 4th St.2. 4th St to Mogal - Around on Cliff View or up the hill to Silva Ranch road.3. Pick up bike path to Verdi4. Through roundabout and on to Downtown Verdi5. Right on Bridge St to Hill LaneHill Lane back to main Street6. Back to Reno |
