Tahoe City:
Celebrate the 4th of July on the north shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe; this scenic destination has one of the most impressive fire works shows on the west coast. On a clear night with relatively little wind the reflection of the fireworks on the lake are breathtaking. Find all the information for planning your trip at www.gotahoenorth.com.

Walter Hansel 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley – $16:
For the summer heat, wine lovers need an alternative to heavy Chardonnays, which is where a nice cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc comes in. Walter Hansel is a small producer in the Russian River Valley down the road from Kistler, where he turns out some of California’s best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His sleeper though is his tangy sauvignon blanc, which is full of aromas of fresh pineapple, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, cream and liquid mineral with excellent balance and acidity. Drink chilled. Pick up a few bottles before you head up to the Lake or anytime right here on Brix26.com.

Thank you to Peter Langenstein (founder of Brix26) for the recommendation and write up!

College Cyclery:
Though there are a few bicycle shops to choose from in Reno, we strongly recommend College Cyclery. It is close to all the Casino’s, easy to get to and staffed by a friendly, knowledgeable and pro-level team. In fact, they were chosen to staff the SRAM neutral service tent at the 2010 Tour de Nez. They have everything from water bottles (which is what we needed), gels, drinks etc. to a fine selection of apparel and bikes as well as minor and major mechanical work on all types of bicycles. Swing by for one stop shopping at College Cyclery in Reno.

The Hub Coffee Co.:
So, whether you find yourself waiting for a major mechanical fix at College Cyclery or you just want the “best coffee in Reno” (as stated by many who we spoke with – and we agree) stop on over to The Hub, which is just a couple blocks away. Masters level road bicycle racer – Mark Trujillo, owns it and definitely understands the needs of the cyclist when it comes to coffee, pastries and environment. So order up a cup or two of their coffees from either Ecco Caffé or Barefoot Coffee Works; then grab your bike and head out for Mt. Rose!

Mt. Rose Ride:
Well, what can we say but this… Reno = alt. 4400’ Mt. Rose = alt. 8260’, 50+ miles out and back consisting of a 13 mile climb at an average gradient of 4.7%, which means a nice steady cadence going up and an extremely consistent and fast descent! What do you get out of this ride? How about amazing views of the mountains and the Great Basin as well as a confidence inspiring sense of accomplishment when you look back at the majestic peak of Mt. Rose as you make your way back into Reno. It feels great and is sure to keep you smiling! Get out and ride hard!

West Street Wine Bar:
Head down to Reno’s “West Street Market,” slip into the West Street Wine Bar and reminisce about the ride over a glass of wine poured by owners Rick Martinez and Samantha Reveley. With “more than 50 wines by the glass, great beers and dining options” we guarantee that you will enjoy your time here in this trendy, energetic wine bar. One of the fun things about this place is the glass garage door, they keep it open during the warm summer nights and it is reminiscent of the street cafes in Europe. Then head out for a walk along the River Park or head to the casino and get the haps on the craps! Explore the new Reno and you will be impressed.

Brook Avenue Grill & Gelato:
Whether you are on your bike or just looking for some delicious breakfast in Kings Beach, stop by this little hidden gem. With an enticing menu, quality coffee, friendly and personal service and an aesthetic view of Lake Tahoe, Brook Avenue Grill will fill you up, caffeinate you and send you on your way satisfied. They also offer a Lunch and Dinner menu as well as Ciao Bella Gelato & Sorbetto, of San Francisco. So please stop by, leave happy and hit the mountains or the beach!

Velocurean spent a long weekend exploring Reno-Tahoe and was pleasantly surprised at the transformation that has occurred in Reno over the last five years. As always, Tahoe was beautiful, refreshing and full of majestic and breathtaking landscapes. Both are vibrant cycling communities on and off the road and both have wonderful culinary delights just waiting to be discovered. So go on and plan a trip to Reno-Tahoe and live a little!

Eat. Drink. Ride. Live Velocurean!

Written by – Joshua Seaman

Joshua Seaman (left), Kevin M. Eisele (right), Mt. Rose (background)