Weekday Trail Outlook and Upcoming Events 02/20-02/26, 2023
Trail Outlook: Mardi Gras Snow Blow
I hope y’all got out while the getting was good this weekend. Snow, wind, and cold are back in the lineup this week. It looks as though there is a huge question mark about how much snow is expected in any one region of the Truckee Meadows, but the general consensus is it’s going to get cold and blustery through Friday. Great conditions to break in your spring running shoes by walking around the house, finally replace that mountain bike tire that has evolved from mud knobby to semi-slick, or simply refresh the tire sealant that is currently doing it’s best impression of a crusty ball of snot in that bike that gathered dust since you last rode with Tuesday Night Ride Group in October.
Soil conditions have benefited a lot from this past week and we are starting to see segments of trails and 4wd roads firm enough to enjoy without putting on the peanut butter pounds of mud. Hidden Valley Regional Park is in excellent condition inside the fence. Keystone West to Kings Row connector as well as Las Brisas climbing out of Kings Row are down to limited mud. If you access Halo from the 4wd road out of Kings Row, you could get some out and back either to the east or west for a short while before hitting snow and mud. All three regional parks with single track (Sierra Vista, North Valleys, and Golden Eagle) are still holding snow and bad mud. Sierra Vista’s golf cart path is currently totally usable but any single track is still holding too much water. While the snow amounts expected this week are highly variable, the low temperatures and cloud cover will slow any drying so I don’t expect these conditions to materially change this week. The exception to that prediction is if the snow and rain end up heavier than expected, in which case we’re back to mud everywhere.
Up top, Nevada Nordic grooms trails in the trees to the West of Tahoe Meadows for public usage. The trails are primarily designed for cross country skiing, but are also great for snow shoes and fat bikes. If you are not skiing, it’s kind to the skate and classic skiers if you only use the right third of the trail. For more information and the latest grooming reports, check out their Facebook Group page linked here.
Local Bike Industry Job Opening
The Reno Bike Project is looking to hire a bike riding instructor. The position will be working primarily with youth learners and requires being comfortable riding on roads with traffic. This is a great organization to work for on a mission to build a better bike community in the Truckee Meadows. For more information you can contact RBP through their website, RenoBikeProject.org, or follow them on Instagram @RenoBikeProject.
This Week’s Events
Tuesday, February 21:
5:30 pm
Radical Adventure Riders of Reno (RAR) are hosting a team meeting and potluck for their AIDS Lifecycle training rides. This is open to members, prospective members, and those interested in supporting their efforts. For more information, follow @rar.reno on Instagram.
5:45 pm
Silver State Striders are running from Huffaker school through Bartley Ranch park. This is a very welcoming group for all skill levels. This run will be the 5ish mile loop and headlamps and reflective clothing are a must. Check their Facebook Group Page for more details. You can also find their training schedule on their website at this link.
Wednesday, February 22:
6:45 pm
Bike Night Reno will be rolling out a hardy group of riders of all kinds from the Space Whale in Downtown. As their name suggests, this is a night ride so lights are required. Whether it’s a simple headlamp and taillight or full on burner bike light-splosion is entirely up to you. Expect it to be cold and wet so dress appropriately. This is a mostly flat road ride friendly to all wheeled contraptions at an extremely social pace. For more information, follow @bikenightreno on instagram.
Thursday, February 23:
5:45 pm
Silver State Striders will be running 7 - 10 ish miles of hills starting and ending at Eclipse Running (Moana & Lakeside). Headlamps, traction devices, and reflective clothing are a must. Check their Facebook Group Page for more details. You can also find their training schedule on their website at this link.
6:00 pm
The Reno Hustle will roll 24ish mostly flat paved miles starting and ending at the Wells Fargo parking lot at California Ave and Arlington Blvd. This is a social paced ride open to all. Bring lights, dress for the cold, and a be prepared to fix your own flats. For more information follow @therenohustle on Instagram.
7:00 pm
Biggest Little Trail Stewards are having their monthly meeting at Mi Casa Too on West 4th Street. This is open to all and is a great way to get involved behind the scenes in grassroots local trail building. See you there!
Saturday, February 25:
8:00 am
Silver State Striders will be running about 18 miles of mixed paved and trail with plenty of hills starting and ending at Pinehaven. Traction devices are a must. Check their Facebook Group Page for more details. You can also find their training schedule on their website at this link.
If you are swapping the running and riding for a little back country sliding, check out the latest avalanche conditions over at Sierra Avalanche Center. High winds and heavy ridge top snowfall are expected to create new hazards this week. Knowing where to look and when to stay home can make the difference of coming home.
That’s what’s on my radar at the moment. If you know of something I missed or is coming soon, send me an email and it might get listed. See you outside!
All portions of the Peavine trail network are expected to have significant snow, ice, and/or mud this week. February 20, 2023.