With the riding season slowly coming to a close soon, we thought we would put together a list of some of the best rides you can take through the highways of California and Nevada.

Many of these rides we have been on ourselves and although they are only a few hours away from home, they are some of the most scenic and enjoyable rides we have taken.

If you’re looking to put a few more miles on your Harley this month, take a look at this list and don’t forget to take your UltraCool Oil Cooler with you!

Some of Sierra Nevada’s Best Motorcycle Rides include:

Virginia City

Just about 30min from UltraCool Headquarters, historic Virginia City offers an interesting view into the past. You will be able to enjoy amazing 100-mile views across the mountains and high desert; you can tour mansions, mines, museums, and ride the railroads along the exact same lines that passengers took more than a century ago.

If you’re coming up from NV 207 it will take you through the very scenic Carson Valley. Take a left onto Foothill Road and a few miles up is the town of Genoa- one of the oldest towns in Nevada that lays claim to the oldest bar which acts as a very famous watering hole for bikers.

Stay on Foothill Road through Carson City and take a right onto Highway 50 (E towards Dayton) and you will see the turnoff for NV 341 to Virginia City.

Once your there grab a bite to eat at The Palace Saloon and Restaurant or stop in at Red’s Old Fashioned Candies for an old fashioned treat! It’s a step back in time and a trip you won’t soon forget.

Lake Tahoe

One of the best ways to see Lake Tahoe is to ride around it! This is a truly scenic and exciting ride, from Carson City north on Highway 50. The ride features rolling hills that turn into amazing mountain peaks.

Two great places to stop and take a few photos are Camp Richardson and Emerald Bay State Park.

When you get to Incline Village stay on Highway 28 to hit a few great places (Sand Harbor and Zephyr Cove).

The whole loop can take about 3 hours to complete and can be slower on busy weekends, so make sure to plan ahead. It also helps to have an Ultracool Oil Cooler on your Harley to make sure you don’t overheat.

Ebbetts Pass

This is a longer ride but definitely worth it! Ebbetts Pass takes you through forest, mountain, and lake views all in one day!

The ride begins in Reno NV and takes you into Bear Valley CA. It will most likely take you a full day, depending on how many times you stop. It’s about a two hour trip each way, so be sure to plan ahead and check your weather reports!

When you get to Markleeville CA, be sure to stop in at the Cutthroat Saloon. It’s a very well known stop along the way for bikers and offers a great place to stretch your legs.

Or take a trip across the street to see Allen and Callen, who are two young entrepreneurs that own and operate a hot dog stand. They are there every weekend until November (weather permitting).  As you leave Markleeville, the trip really becomes exciting as the road begins to wind and turn, it also passes along Lake Alpine which looks as amazing as it sounds.

These three rides offer you a chance to step away from the busyness of life and in some ways take a step back in time without being more than a few hours away from home.

At UltraCool we know that your bike is an extension of you, and we want to make your riding experience better. From the quality of your oil, to the quality of your ride, we want to be there for you. We hope you get a chance to get out there and ride this weekend and would love to hear about your experience!