From central Reno, very easy paced (11mph riding) super scenic, close to river, casual fun ride. Several stops. Shorter option is about 11.5 miles, or full ride is about 13.5 miles. No hills, no traffic lights. Riding 50% on bike paths, 50% on side streets or on roads with a bike lane. If you enjoy the rumble of bike tires crossing wooden decked trail bridges, you will LOVE this ride. Route: From Idlewild Park, follow the Tahoe Pyramid bikeway west through Mayberry Park, loop around the Patagonia building, and return. Optional miles go past Reno High, circle down Riverside Drive and just for fun loop into Wingfield Park. Click link to route on my Wikiloc page: Wikiloc | OLLI Idlewild Park -Patagonia Trail All bikes welcome, including E-bikes. We start on the main drag of Idlewild Park in the middle near the Rose Garden/Totem Head. Shady parking and good restrooms are open. To sign up, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page, down below the map, click the greenish “click here to register” button. Didn’t register, just show up at the start and I will sign you in then! Easy! Helmets required. Other suggestions: pinch your bike tires the day before. Add sunscreen, bright clothing, water bottle, and for me a pre ride Advil.

Begin in the Mayberry Park parking lot. Turn right (west) on the paved park path. The paved path ends at about 0.3 mile. Turn left (south) and cross the “Bailey bridge”. Climb the short natural surface incline to the Last Chance Ditch Trail. Turn left (east) and walk to the end of the 0.7-mile natural surface trail. The trail is between the Truckee River and the Last Chance Ditch. Return to the parking lot for a 2 mile walk or follow the ditch to the river source then back for a 3 mile walk.

The first mile and a 1/2 we will be on the Old Stagecoach/Freight Road to Lake Tahoe. We will hike to the Lower Falls first then gradually climb 3 miles to the Upper Falls. You will see some wild flowers along the trail and the meadows are beautiful this time of year.

We will depart from the Lake Forest launch ramp in Tahoe City and head West about a mile and a half to commons beach. Depending on weather and timing we may kayak over to the dam. Arrive Early. As typical for Tahoe we may get afternoon winds so we want to be in the water and ready to go at 9AM.

We are going to hike a portion of the Tahoe-Pyramid trail from 1.2 miles east of the Farad exit to the bridge. The trailhead is about 20 miles west of Reno. The trail winds around Jeffrey and Ponderosa Pines as well as manzanita, bitter brush, sage, etc. along the river. It is a dirt and rock trail that undulates but is not strenuous. There is one railroad crossing.