I owned a second home in Gardnerville in the early to mid 90s. It's the best place in the known universe to ride dirt, and has some very good highways as well.
The finest road in the area, and a road that will stack up well with the best in the world is highway #89 from #395 at Topaz Lake, west to Highway # 4. It is only about 20 miles, but it is quite high(you could see snow)and has spectacular scenery, as well as all of the riding attributes. Worth riding in both directions.
From there you can ride Hwy.#4 west(left off #89) over Ebbets Pass down to the Gold Rush towns such as Angels Camp. The highest portion of #4 is narrow, tight and tricky. Very pretty but not a fast road. Careful. After Lake Alpine it IS fast.
If you don't want to go that far, you can turn North on #4(right from #89)through Markleeville(nice lunch stop)to Woodfords and Highway #88. A right turn takes you back to Gardnerville, and a left takes you up and over Carson Pass. A fast road with a fair amount of traffic, but spectacular scenery. Will take you to the Gold Rush towns of Jackson and Sutter Creek.
It's possible to go up one pass and return over the other by taking the main road between Jackson and San Andreas(to Angels Camp) That would make a long day, though.
Another road in the Gardnerville area is # 208 East off #395. It connects with #338, #339, and eventually # 95 by Walker Lake. These are not as spectacular, but are lightly traveled and worth a look.
The highway to and past Virginia City, out of Carson City is OK for a short jaunt.
The Highways around Lake Tahoe are pretty, but slow and heavily patrolled.HEAVILY!
If you are going to the Lake, Kingsbury Grade comes to mind and perhaps Highway #50 from No. Tahoe to Carson City.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
