Las Vegas or nearby resorts

[galaga187]

Heading out for CONFERENCE in Las Vegas and thinking of staying over afterwards five days is it worth E Biking in Las Vegas or going to other areas e.g. Moab?
Also, any advice of what else are doing? Las Vegas? I understand it’s very hot we are going in June.

 

[Mabman]

Google is your friend as there are lots of mtb trails in and around Vegas but fully expect typical desert high temps. Riding in the dez is lots of fun especially if it is a different type of experience but just remember to adhere to the laws of the desert as they are different than those of the forest.

 

[levity]

Yes, the Las Vegas area will almost certainly to be too hot for riding In June. The Moab/Canyonlands area is also likely to be too hot that time of year and is 450 miles distant.

A different possibility is to head to St. George, UT. It’s 120 miles from Las Vegas, is usually a few degrees cooler, and has more to offer for riding and desert scenery. Good bike rentals and guidance are available in town. Early morning should be fine - check hourly temps on the Weather Channel app and ask at the local bike stores. If you haven’t visited Zion Natl Park it‘s nearby and shouldn’t be missed! There are fun trails out of Hurricane and Virgin between St. George and Zion (Red Bull Rampage is held here). There are also a few new trails in East Zion at higher elevation where it’s cooler.

Making the trip from the UK I’d recommend booking lodging in Springdale, UT so you can visit Zion and ride nearby. Zion Cycles is a great shop in town and can set you up with an (e)mtb for trail riding with or without guide service and to explore Zion Canyon and other local attractions. It’s truly a bucket list destination! We spend several days there going to and returning from Moab/Canyonlands every spring and fall.

 

[levity]

@galaga187 - a pic to whet your appetite

mrs levity standing just off the Wire Mesa trail looking at Zion Natl Park

 

[biglipps66]

June will definitely be super hot. If you hit the trails before sunrise, you would be ok. Peak sun over the riding areas is pretty unenjoyable honestly.

 

[RustyIron]

Biking in Las Vegas or going to other areas e.g. Moab?
Also, any advice of what else are doing? Las Vegas?

Vegas has some spectacular riding. For those of us accustomed to riding in the Southwest U.S., it can get a little warm, so we watch the weather reports. People who live in Wroughton might find it unbearable. See how you feel once you get here. And if you decide to ride, bring EXTRA water and know where you're going. Also consider long sleeves, long pants, or at least sunscreen. You don't want to end up as the newspaper headline where people shake their heads and say "he should have known better."

Hurricane and Moab are both better than Vegas, so look at the weather reports there. You should be able to rent bikes in any of these towns.

If you end up riding in Vegas, Flow Job is one of my favorite trails. Bunny and Kibbles & Bits can be added on to that ride. Fook Yu is another high-quality trail in that area. Ike's Peek is close to town and is a good intro. None of these trails are for beginners. Maybe Intermedate+ would be a good description, but not Expert level. If you're looking for Expert level, Brohemian Rhapsody is top notch. For me, it's a serious trail.

Wear knee protection. The rocks are many, the rocks are sharp. Here's some pics to motivate you.

 

[JStrube]

Heading out for CONFERENCE in Las Vegas and thinking of staying over afterwards five days is it worth E Biking in Las Vegas or going to other areas e.g. Moab?
Also, any advice of what else are doing? Las Vegas? I understand it’s very hot we are going in June.

For a guy coming from England, you are in for a whole new range of temperature. Vegas can get to ungodly temperatures. Do not underestimate how baren and hot it can get, though June can also be mild enough. Looks like someone local to the area gave some recommendations. I personally have not ridden there, I usually just go for food & booze.

I'll second a trip to Zion National Park. The hike to Angels Landing is absolutely incredible, in June, start as early as you can, then get down off the mountain, have lunch & hike "The Narrows". You will need water shoes and a hiking stick. You can do both in 1 day if time limited, my wife and I did it in our 40's. I'd still do it in my 50's.

Also, in the Las Vegas area, if you have not been to Hoover Dam, that is a cool tour. You would want to plan it and get good tour tickets, you can go down into the Dam, see the power house, etc. The Vegas buskers will try to sell you a trip, but you can book directly online and just drive there.

E-bikes are not as accepted in the US, as they are in Europe, so many trails can be off limits. Some people ignore it, and being not from here... You can just play dumb... I do it all the time. Just not in a place like Sedona, those guys ticket you.

If you have not been to the California coast, you can go to a place like Santa Cruz and rent & ride the local places, like Wilder Ranch. Just watch out for poison oak. Not sure if you guys have anything like that, but my rule is, don't touch anything. If you end up wanting to go there, ping me, I'm 2 Hrs away & will head over for the day if I can.

Have a great trip over, the West of the US is so expansive and there is a lot of nothing between cool places. Not sure if you have been before, but no matter how many times you come, there is something new to see.

 

[big_scot_nanny]

I was out a couple of years ago in April for a conference too, took my riding kit and helmet and did 2 days riding. To add what others have said, the riding was really good!

However, I did notice a lot of the trails had 'no ebikes' signs, and met no other ebikers, but I was on manual bike so no worries. It was worth the effort, great fun. Did one guided group ride, and 1 day just on my own with a map and a really good rental trek. rented from a Trek place in Blue Diamond.

Another shock for a scot, as well as the rocks being incredibly abrasive, was how aggressive the plants were. 'Oh look, a nice green plant, no worries if I brush that with my leg as I cycle past.... AARGHHH!' ALL the plants were tough, hard, and sharp as buggery. Lots of bleeding legs till I learned

 

[JStrube]

I was out a couple of years ago in April for a conference too, took my riding kit and helmet and did 2 days riding. To add what others have said, the riding was really good!

However, I did notice a lot of the trails had 'no ebikes' signs, and met no other ebikers, but I was on manual bike so no worries. It was worth the effort, great fun. Did one guided group ride, and 1 day just on my own with a map and a really good rental trek. rented from a Trek place in Blue Diamond.

Another shock for a scot, as well as the rocks being incredibly abrasive, was how aggressive the plants were. 'Oh look, a nice green plant, no worries if I brush that with my leg as I cycle past.... AARGHHH!' ALL the plants were tough, hard, and sharp as buggery. Lots of bleeding legs till I learned

View attachment 158792

Plants in the western US seem to be of 2 varieties. Sharp and pointy, or soft, but will make you itch for 2 weeks if you touch them!

 

[RustyIron]

ALL the plants were tough, hard, and sharp as buggery. Lots of bleeding legs till I learned

Tough, hard, and sharp as buggery? I thought you were talking about the ladies you met on your trip. And just like the plants, if you're not careful, they'll make you bleed.

The shop in Blue Diamond is a nice place to stop, even if you're just looking for a souvenir shirt or a few stickers. The cafe next door is a nice place to stop after a ride. It sounds as if you had a good trip.

 

[Mabman]

The first year, 1999, they had a demo day for IBike in Vegas it was held in Blue Diamond. We had a bunch of 29"ers there and the first one that we let out came back loaded with goat heads. We only had a few 700c tubes and that trend continued on all day. We ended up wiping out Kenda for their 26" tube inventory and fixing lots of flats...... Next year we slimed all the show bikes but the goat heads weren't as bad.

After IBike years later I revisited the scene with a CF 29" hardtail I had scored from a china booth cheap. The guy running the Outpost at that time was named Chris and was a nice guy and into coffee and spinning circles that hooked me up with a gang of locals for a trail rip. Think he ended up back in the midwest somewhere. Fun place to ride!

 

[galaga187]

Thanks for all the responses. Vegas was ridiculously hot - I had to cut the trip short so could only fit in the Hoover Dam, west grand Canyon tourist trip. We got caught up in flash floods after Dolan Springs very scary more like a log flume. I am definitely coming back hopefully when it’s cooler and spending time in the parks.

 

[JStrube]

The heat is no joke!