From the Tour de France to the Tour of California there are several bicycle races around the world. The Tour de Nez, French for “Tour of the Nose,” is a three-day celebration that has become one of the most popular cycling events in the west. TDN is a three-day celebration that draws top cycling competitors from across the nation and lots of street-party enthusiasts.

So decided to participate in the 14th annual Tour de Nez metric century, which is essentially 63 miles or 103 kilometres in length. The ride starts at Reno’s Wingfield Park at 8 am and heads out to the scenic foothills of the Truckee Meadows and down Mt. Rose Highway and along highway 395. Snaking around some of the most scenic view in Reno. Imagine riding past hot springs, crystal clear streams and rambling old ranch houses. The route then continues through pleasant valley and up over the Jubilee Hill to the stunning Washoe Valley (which is the Eastern slope of the old Bonanza Ranch) and continues around Washoe Valley, the old ranching communities and outskirts of Reno. Then you essentially come back the same way, except for a east lake detour that is quite desert like, and very hot.

After finishing an exhausting 103 kilometres, and just making it up Mt. Rose alone, Steve and I felt accomplished enough to chug down a few beers, and hang out in wingfield park to talk to people, and admire the bikes.

There were a few disappointments, like after paying a 38 dollar entry fee, only to be given a bag of swag, and a few snacks along the way. We were promised a complementary dinner at one of the restaurants downtown, which in our opinion made the cost worth it. I guess TDN decided to change their minds and only give the meal tickets to the 100 miler participants, who paid the same amount of money. Needless to say, I’ll be writing Tim Healion, owner of Deux Gros Nez, and organizer of Tour de Nez, and sharing with him our displeasement over issue. I guess the big thing is what value did I receive for my 38 dollars.

Overall it was a fun event! And we’d do it again, provided a little caution with the money thing.