This featured ride is from the Moto-Maps® “Finding America” cross-country discovery tour and was created and reported by the company’s founder, Keith Myers.

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This ride starts and ends in Carson City, Nevada and makes a 131 mile loop into California and around Lake Tahoe.  The terrain and temperature can vary a lot between the valley and the mountains – so plan accordingly before starting the ride.

From downtown Carson City, you start the ride by heading east on Route 50.  Just after you pass through the congestion of the city (about 7 1/2 miles) turn left onto Route 341.  If you’re an east-coast guy like me, you’ll find the terrain to be shockingly barren and uninhabitable – especially in the middle of the summer.  The earth is hard and scrub brush and sand take over the landscape.  The temperature’s fine now – but it’s early. I bet it’s going to be hot ( wicked hot) when I loop back around.

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Route 341 is a blast to ride as it ascends gradually and snakes through the desert landscape.  You’ll see old mine shafts and feel the history of the area all around you.  This is emphasized even more as you pass through Virginia City, NV.  I know you just started riding, but take a break and walk around the town.  Virginia City is a federal historic landmark and the town looks pretty much the same as it did back in the mid to late 1800 when it boomed with the discovery of silver in gold in the surrounding hills.  It’s also the town where Mark Twain found his name from a young news paper journalist called Samuel Clemens.  Well… enough history lessons, it’s time to get rolling…. I continue on Route 341 enjoying some fast descending sweepers as I head back into the valley and run straight into Route 431 at the junction of 395.

Route 431 turns into the Mt. Rose Highway and twist its way up to an elevation of almost 9,000 feet above sea level.  As you descend the back side of the mountain you’ll be treated to some fantastic views of Lake Tahoe and you’ll also notice that the landscape has changed all around you to lush pine forests.  By the time you join up with Route 28 in Incline Village you’ll feel like you’re in a different country than you were just minutes before.  Route 28 winds along the north edge of the lake through an almost non-stop stream of quaint restaurants and boutique shopping.  There’s a lot of money and pretty people moving around here… I feel a bit out of place – but I stop for a bite to eat anyway.

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After a quick refueling for my body (and bike) I continue down Route 28 and turn left onto Route 89.  There’s still a bit of congestion for the first few miles before the road opens up to a great leisurely ride down the west side of Lake Tahoe.  At about 18 miles, or so, down Route 89 you begin to ascend again.  You climb steeply up the side of a mountain until you reach the ridge line.  For a while, you follow this narrow 2-way sidewalk-of-a-road (with drop-off on both sides, mind you) before you descend into South Lake Tahoe and Route 50.  The south side of Lake Tahoe is a sharp contrast to the north side of the lake and feels much more commercial – with chain motels and restaurants.  Fortunately, I don’t have to stay on Route 50 for too long before I take a right onto Route 207 and begin my return to Carson City.  Route 207 is another fantastic and challenging road that ascends high above Lake Tahoe.  As you begin your descent down the other side, you’re rewarded with some spectacular views of Carson Valley – It feels like you’re looking down on the valley from and airplane, not a motorcycle.  Enjoy the view, but focus on the road – some of the curves turn back on themselves (greater than 180 degrees) and can be a bit hairy during a fast ride down the mountain.  Route 207 brings you to Route 206 - back in the valley and back to the heat. Route 206 is an easy and relaxing ride at the base of the mountains with farmlands flanking you on both sides.  After about 14 miles you’ll find yourself back in Carson City and just a few miles from where you started in the morning.  It’s hard to believe that I’ve seen so much in just a 131 mile ride…