The best road cycling routes in Storey County

There are over 60 road cycling routes in Storey County, offering a diverse range of experiences from easy rides to challenging climbs. The komoot community has explored these routes over 600 times.

Storey County offers a unique blend of challenging mountainous high desert terrain, rich history, and diverse landscapes. Cyclists can experience significant elevation changes, including demanding climbs like Geiger Grade, and ride through historic mining districts and canyons, often with expansive views of the Sierra Nevada.

Yes, Storey County offers several easy road cycling routes suitable for beginners. For instance, the Erica Greif Memorial Bikeway provides a relatively flat and accessible option. Overall, there are 33 easy routes available in the region.

Advanced cyclists will find significant challenges in Storey County, particularly on routes featuring Geiger Grade. The South Reno to Virginia City via Geiger Grade Road is a difficult 25.5-mile route with a substantial ascent, offering rewarding views. There are 8 difficult routes in the area for those seeking a strenuous ride.

Many routes traverse the historic Virginia City Historic District, allowing you to cycle through 19th-century mining towns like Virginia City, Gold Hill, and Silver City. You can encounter cultural sites, historic landmarks, mining artifacts, and even wild horses. Geiger Grade itself is historically significant as the original gateway to Virginia City.

Absolutely. The ascent of Geiger Grade, for example, offers expansive views of Mt. Rose, Slide Mountain, and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The mountainous high desert setting with rolling hills of pinion pines and dramatic canyons like Six Mile Canyon also provides numerous scenic vistas.

Yes, Storey County features several loop routes. A popular option is the Geiger Grade Lookout loop from Bella Vista Ranch, which takes you through the historic Geiger Grade area. Other loops like the Little Washoe Lake loop from Damonte Ranch High School also offer diverse scenery.

Yes, Virginia City is a central point for many road cycling routes. You can cycle directly through the historic district and surrounding areas. Routes like the South Reno to Virginia City via Geiger Grade Road lead directly to this iconic town, which offers historic buildings, museums, and food options.

Yes, the Wadsworth, Nevada to Pyramid Lake route offers a journey through the high desert, with sections that follow the scenic Truckee River. While the full Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway has mixed surfaces, paved portions within and near Storey County are suitable for road cycling.

The mountainous high desert climate means that spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant temperatures for road cycling. Summers can be hot, and winters can bring cold temperatures and snow at higher elevations, making certain routes more challenging or inaccessible.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 5 reviews. Cyclists often praise the challenging climbs, the stunning panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, and the unique experience of cycling through historic mining towns and dramatic canyons.

While many routes feature significant elevation changes, some of the easier sections, particularly those on the Erica Greif Memorial Bikeway, can be suitable for families looking for a less strenuous ride. Always check the route difficulty and elevation profile to ensure it matches your family's ability.

Virginia City is a National Historic Landmark District with many attractions. For more details on what to see and do, including museums and historic buildings, you can visit the official tourism website: visitvirginiacitynv.com.