Time for two-wheeling 'round town

Bicycling at Burning Man last week revived my enthusiasm for the two-wheelers, so this week I decided to check out a bike trail near my home on the north end of town.

I headed down Imperial Way toward the bypass and picked up the freeway multiuse path, which parallels the new road. It cuts across a couple of streets, Northgate and Emerson, (stop and check traffic at these as it comes roaring quickly) and crosses College Parkway before ending at Highway 50.

It's probably about a mile and half over paved and fenced trail that has a very gentle slope, almost imperceptible. Brush is cleared from the sides and, except for an apple tree dropping fruit on the pavement, it's a clean go. Dogs and walkers also use the path, although I didn't see any Wednesday morning.

Looking at the Carson City bike map I noticed that over by Governors Field is the other end of the path, the Liner Trail Path. I parked at the entrance to the field and biked all the way around all the athletic areas. If you don't want to make this extra effort just follow the field road around and park near Roop Street.

All the gates at the field are padlocked during the day (makes one wonder), so to get to the path you have to ride to Roop and head toward the housing development to the north. The entrance is clearly marked and the trail follows a drainage ditch populated by cattails and black birds - a most pleasant view.

It's about a mile to Saliman and to the end of the trail on the other side of Saliman. Same nice surface, little if any elevation gain or loss.

From the map it looks like about one mile needs to be added to link these two trails. Despite the funding shortage these days I would hope this is high on the city's list of things to do. Maybe a volunteer day would do the trick.

I gave up mountain biking years ago when I realized that on the bike I didn't have time to enjoy the scenery, but I plan this weekend to do the Tahoe Meadow Trail off Kahle Drive in South Lake Tahoe.

I used to walk and bike this lovely trail, winding up at Nevada Beach. Now there's a new trail with a fancy bridge that takes bikers and hikers to the beach. More on it next week.

MT. ROSE SKI RACING CAMPS

The Learn To Fly program at Mt. Rose Ski Resort is designed to build all mountain skiing skills, camaraderie with teammates, on-mountain etiquette and an overall love for the sport. The program focuses on improving participant's technique and comfort level on all types of terrain, and in all snow conditions.

For more than 20 years the Learn To Fly program has been developing a love of the sport and life-long skills for winter recreation enjoyment in youth.

The cost is $499 for ages 7-12, (minimum height of 48 inches at registration). The applicant must be able to load and unload a chairlift without assistance, ride a lift without an adult, and must be able to ski intermediate trails with poles, non-stop.

Program includes an unrestricted season pass; one weekend training day per week with a coach; and challenge race series.

The program starts Jan. 9-10 and finishes March 27-28. Helmets (not included) are required during training, competitions and when skiing in uniform.

Students may sign up via mail, fax, or in person at the Mt. Rose Main Lodge, Guest Services Office.

There's also a Competition Team Advanced Training Program that mixes technical skiing skills with an emphasis on fun. Gate training is focused on slalom and giant slalom courses. Speed events also are included in the training program. Racing primarily is in USSA and FIS level events along with some Tahoe League races for development purposes. Cost is $1,699, for ages 9-19 (minimum height: 48 inches). This is a more advanced program for serious racers and roughly parallels other race programs.

The Competition Teams participate in a number of races at other resorts in the region. Travel time becomes more involved as athletes get older and more proficient.

Mt. Rose offers other similar courses for less advanced students. Check skimtrose.com for details.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 841-7818 or sambauman@att.net.