First off, this route would not be possible if it weren’t for the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail organization so many many thanks to them for building this out! I normally don’t like one way rides or out and backs but this one is worth convincing a friend or your significant other to meet you in Truckee for dinner and a ride home. Or if you’re a rock star, make it a round trip ride.

The first half of the ride from Verdi to Floriston is a mix of steep loose terrain with some hard pack fast rolling forest dirt as you get into California. The steeper sections are easily walkable so I’ve labeled the ride as Intermediate difficulty. The second half of the ride from Floriston into Truckee is a mix of board walk (including stairs you’ll have to hike a bike up), windy cliffside single track and portions of the old Lincoln Highway (complete with a couple deteriorating classic car carcases). The whole route is very pretty especially in the fall.

This ride differs a bit from the TPT Verdi-Truckee route by exchanging the paved shoulderless Glenshire Drive climb for a bit more dirt, a couple lake flybys and three breweries as you get into Truckee. If you do it as a round trip, follow the TPT route from Truckee back to Verdi so it’s not a complete out and back. If you’re in the Reno area, looking to do some gravel riding and also want to explore Truckee a bit, this route is a must do.

Please note this route passes through a variety of private land owned by TMWA and Caltrans so please make sure to check the TPT site for potential closures, which are very rare but sometimes necessary.