Words and photos by David Christenson

On Sunday 19th December I decided to ride out to my parents house in Fernley, Nevada to watch American football with my dad. Itʼs actually only about 48 kilometers from Sparks, Nevada where I live but there is a longer route on much quieter and more scenic roads if you go via Pyramid Lake.

A patch of cold and wet weather had settled in over the Reno/Sparks area a few days prior so I knew it was going to be a cold, wet ride. I waited until 10am to leave in hopes that it might clear up a bit but no dice so I sucked it up and threw on all my warmer riding kit and rolled out in 1º celsius and rainy weather.

The first 50km werenʼt bad I was making good time and I was sheltered from the wind by the canyon that Pyramid Lake Highway runs through but I was getting drenched.

Once I crossed into the Paiute Indian Reservation where Pyramid Lake is located, the wind started to pick up. Once I made it to the lake there is a hard right turn to head south toward my parents house and I was now heading into a 50kph headwind and getting pelted with rain.

As I made my way down State Route 446, which follows the shoreline of Pyramid Lake, I glanced down at my speedometer to see that I was creeping along at 25kph. I made my way down SR 446 to my next cue in the town of Nixon and hung a right on State Route 447. Nixon is really the only place to stop if you need water or food but Iʼd packed enough food and had enough water so I kept on going wanting to make it to my parents house to get warm.

About this time I realized my feet and hands were popsicles. Donʼt get me wrong I was well prepared and kitted up for the weather but at some point, in that much rain, your clothes become saturated and extremities begin to get cold.

I kept on in the 50kph headwind and finally was able to find a rhythm and maintain 29kph.

I came to my next cue in Wadsworth, Nevada and turned left onto State Route 427. I was almost home at this point and as I rolled through the town of Fernley all I could think about was jumping into a hot shower and drinking some hot tea.

I rolled into my parents garage, gave the bike a quick shower and dry, then I jumped into a well deserved shower.

Iʼve done this ride many times over the years and I never get sick of it. The roads are generally quiet and there are amazing views throughout the desert landscape. So if youʼre ever out this way Iʼd highly recommend it. There are no major climbs, just rollers, and plenty to see so bring your camera.

*Thanks to my brother Ethan for coming out to shoot photos.

Ride details: Distance: 104km Terrain: Rolling hills and long straight flat sections. Cues: From Sparks, Nevada head north on Pyramid Lake Highway(State Route 445). Then turn right on State Route 446 towards Nixon. Once in Nixon turn right on State Route 447 towards Wadsworth. In Wadsworth turn left on State Route 427 to Fernley. Ride Stats: Distance: 104km Ride Time: 3h31mins. Average Speed: 29kph Max Speed: 56kph