Las Vegas Cycling Mid-Oct - [ride reports]

[Clean39T]

Headed to LV for a work conference next week (Oct 16-18) and wondering if it's worth lining up some riding time while I'm there?

It looks like the top climbs are Lee's and Kyle's Canyons (https://pjammcycling.com/climb/165.Hwy%20157-158&sa) - are those likely still rideable this time of year, or should I just plan on riding closer to town?

Looks like Southwest Bikes (https://www.southwestbikes.com/articles/rentals-pg64.htm) rents quality road bikes, anyone else?

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Trying to avoid a Raoul Duke moment...

Thanks!

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[rwsaunders]

Reach out to bking on VSalon...great guy with some killer bikes who lives and rides in Vegas area.

[Clean39T]

Reach out to bking on VSalon...great guy with some killer bikes who lives and rides in Vegas area.

Will do - thanks for the recommendation!

[Nooch]

When I’m out I’ll ride from the strip and do red rocks canyon...

[gt88]

When I’m out I’ll ride from the strip and do red rocks canyon...

Agree. That is a great ride.

[Clean39T]

Booked up for a Scott Addict 10, and planning to ride mid-day Wednesday, a bit Thursday, and maybe Friday early afternoon.......still interested in any ride recommendations or GPS tracks..

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[guyintense]

The Lee and Kyle canyon rides are long hill climbs, straight up and then straight back down. If that's to your liking go a little further north and ride up Cold Creek, same ride with no traffic and a bunch of wild horses hanging around.
I really like the River Mountains trail, bikeing and hiking only and no chance of getting hit by a car.
https://rivermountainstrail.org/trailheads-and-maps/

[Steve in SLO]

Second (third?) on Red Rocks loop. I bring my bike on trips to LV just to ride there.
Park in Summerlin and ride out to the loop via HWY 159. I've ridden it during winter months and it can be cold (I've been snowed on), but well worth the ride.

[Clean39T]

Second (third?) on Red Rocks loop. I bring my bike on trips to LV just to ride there.

Park in Summerlin and ride out to the loop via HWY 159. I've ridden it during winter months and it can be cold (I've been snowed on), but well worth the ride.Thanks Steve, I'll look into a course there. I want to do at least one long one, and a couple shorter ones..

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[Steve in SLO]

Red Rocks loop is longer/steeper than I thought. Nice pavement and beautiful scenery.

[mhespenheide]

If you're willing to drive some, the River Mountains loop trail and the Mount Charleston road are worthwhile.

I don't have any experience with anything closer to the city.

[Clean39T]

Alrighty, Day 1 done and dusted - and I'm toasted..

I picked up the Addict 10 and decided to do the Charleston Loop. It was an adventure. The ride out I-95 went by quickly with a massive tailwind - we're talking 25-30mph on a slight uphill. Of course, when I turned onto Lee Canyon Rd, that tailwind became a nasty sidewind.. 16mi, 2+ hrs, and over 4500ft of climbing later, I topped out at the viewpoint (at over 8,000ft of elevation). That climb saw the full range of emotions - denial, elation, self-hatred - all of them. It was 85-90deg, zero shade, and windy - 6-8% just forever. But I made it. I saw some wild burros too, which was really cool. The road over the top reminded me of the peak-to-peak highway in Boulder. Just wonderful riding.

The downhill however was a complete nightmare. The wind on that side was swirling gusts that completely unnerved me and I couldn't muster the huevos to go much above 25mph. The more I rode the brakes, the tighter I got. I was a mess by the time I got down to 4k-ft. - so with 5mi of descending to go, I pulled over, stuck out a thumb, and got a ride down to I-95 from a nice gent in a fancy pickup.

From there it was another 5mi or so back to the car into a brutal headwind.

So, Day 1 was a success. Lots of sun, lots of miles, buckets of memories.

Hoping for some free time tomorrow to do something a bit less intense - and maybe less windy.

By the numbers: 68mi, 6400ft of climb, 4:22.

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[Louis]

when I turned onto Lee Canyon Rd

I haven't ridden in the LV area, but I'm sort of familiar with it and have checked out Lee Canyon Rd on Google Street View several times (straight, straight, straight) so I wondered if that's what you were going to take.

Bummer about the wind, and good luck with your other rides.

[Clean39T]

Well, Day Two was a total bust. The winds are blowing a good 25+ mph here and I tried to go out, but it just wasn't to be. I'd rather ride in pouring down rain than in this kind of wind - with the dust and all that it is just miserable. But at least I got one good ride in - and now I have a better idea for what I need to line up the next time I have to come to town...

[Louis]

and now I have a better idea for what I need to line up the next time I have to come to town...

Someone to come pick you up at the end, so you can do a route with a tailwind for the entire ride? ;)

[Steve in SLO]

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[Steve in SLO]

Cool ride report, Dan. Thanks. Looks like I have to check out the Charleston loop next time I’m out there. I’ve kind of been stuck in the Red Rock groove since I like it so much, but it’s good to know there’s some great options.

[Clean39T]

Someone to come pick you up at the end, so you can do a route with a tailwind for the entire ride? ;)

At some point even the tailwind becomes unnerving.. I couldn't handle it today - just too much craziness as you ride by things and you're being pushed around with cars just a few feet to one side and a gutter on the other.

[Clean39T]

Cool ride report, Dan. Thanks. Looks like I have to check out the Charleston loop next time I’m out there. I’ve kind of been stuck in the Red Rock groove since I like it so much, but it’s good to know there’s some great options.

It's worth doing, though I'd maybe just attack it as an out and back from one side to avoid the miles on I-95. There's not much of a shoulder up Lee's Canyon, but also barely any traffic. It looked like there was a bit more shoulder on Kyle's. I hope to get out to Red Rocks next time I'm down here, and maybe find my way into a gravel ride...