Explore Elko
Photo credit: Charlie Ekburg
Article submitted by: Kerry Aguirre
The picturesque town of Lamoille, Nevada, is set to host the much-anticipated 4th annual Ruby Roubaix Gravel Fondo on Saturday, June 22, 2024. This event, scheduled each year on the 4th Saturday in June, is the Elko Desert Sunrise Rotary Community Fund’s premier fundraiser. Club members brainstormed the event intending to boost rural northeastern Nevada tourism by drawing outdoor cycling enthusiasts off Interstate 80, east on NV-227 over the Lamoille Summit, and to Lamoille Canyon at the base of the Ruby Mountains. Proceeds from the fundraiser support youth leadership development, youth exchange programs, scholarships for graduating seniors who enroll in technical school and college studies, local community projects, and programs that encourage healthy behaviors and inspirational service to others.
If you own a Mountain Bike, the Pleasant Valley Loop, 22 miles total, is a great place to experience your first gravel ride. The Ruby Roubaix Gravel Fondo allows participants to race for the podium or ride at their own pace. Whatever you choose, it’s an invitation to explore rural northern Nevada’s wild and rugged beauty on two wheels. With a mix of gravel and pavement, the event offers something for every level of cyclist, from seasoned racers to gravel newbies, across four distinct routes: 22 miles, 38 miles, 62 miles, and the epic 120.5 miles. For those who prefer a bit of electronic assistance on their journey, an E-bike category is available, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the majestic landscapes of Secret Pass, Lee, and Pleasant Valley Loops.
In June 2023, we celebrated success as athletes ages 12 to 81 years, from twelve states, including ours, participated in their choice of four routes, ranging from mild to wild! Growing in popularity year after year, over 200 of 272 registered cyclists traveled with their friends and families from 100+ miles outside our home to spend the weekend with us. New visitors boost the local economy by filling their gas tanks, frequenting our grocery stores, enjoying the local cuisine, and exploring cultural and historical exhibits. Many return to Elko for seasonal activities, a spontaneous visit, a cultural festival, a county fair, or rodeo.
We would love to share this upbeat, family-friendly outdoor event with you, your family, and your friends. Watch the video highlights at www.rubyroubaix.com. Come talk to the riders about their bikes, how they became interested in gravel cycling, and where they traveled from. We hope you will join us on Saturday, June 22, at the Lamoille Schoolhouse for a chance to watch the cyclists leave the starting line early in the morning, and then stick around for a meal from one of the food trucks, beverages, ice cream, yard games, some nice shade, and lots of friendly people. Online registration is open until midnight June 17th and we will take ‘in person’ registrations after that, up until 4:00 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Lamoille Schoolhouse. For event details, registration, and information on how you can contribute or participate, visit www.rubyroubaix.com.