Touro Mountain Bikers (TMB) is open to any and all students, and is a great way to make friends with students from other programs, and to go out and release some stress together. However, you might acquire a false sense of security knowing that you are surrounded by future health professionals. So, please remain cautious when chucking off 5 foot drops, or you could end up like this:

Otherwise, the Las Vegas Valley is surrounded by great Mt. Biking trails! For those looking for some technical trail riding and long XC trails, Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City is a great choice, and is less than 30 minutes from campus!

For some smooth single track and more XC trails you could head out to Blue Diamond or Cottonwood Valley.

Just remember that ALL Red Rock and Mt. Charleston trails (except Bristlecone Trail) are off-limits to mt. bikers.

I highly recommend carrying a spare tube, or put some slime in your tires, as the desert is home to sharp scree, and prickly cacti. Remember to always protect your cranium, and shin and elbow guards aren’t a bad idea either.

If you’re up for a little driving, and its summer-time, then Brian Head in Utah (only 3 hours N. of Vegas) is a GREAT place for an epic downhill ride (www.brianhead.com/summer/mountainbiking.html)! Just make sure a storm isn’t coming in, which drops the temps into the low 20s!

For more info: REI (located at “The District” at Green Valley Ranch (Green Valley Pkwy and 215)) should have maps and trail info for all these areas.

Directions:
To get to Bootleg Canyon (www.bootlegcanyon.org): From Vegas head to boulder city via 93 / 95-S , Freeway ends, take left on YUCCA street after TACO BELL on left. Follow straight up to dirt parking areas. Bathroom shower facilities are right up the road from the dirt lots.

To ride in Blue Diamond, take the Blue Diamond exit off of I-15 and head south towards the 159 turnoff. Take the 159 West towards Blue Diamond/Red Rock. Blue Diamond will be on your left about 3 miles past the 159 turnoff. Follow the main road to the bike shop, park there, and head inside to ask the guys how to get to the single track trailheads (which are really just S. of the shop). Be sure to pick up a great map of the trails found in Blue Diamond, and Cottonwood Valley.

To get to Cottonwood Valley: take the Blue Diamond Exit off of the I-15 and head West. Blue Diamond turns into the 160, which heads toward Pahrump. You will pass the 159 turnoff which would take you to Blue Diamond/Red Rock, and about 4-5 miles later you will see a dirt parking lot on your right, and then another about a half mile down on the left. You can park and ride straight from these dirt lots.

To get to Brian Head visit this website to view a map and get Mapquest directions: www.brianhead.com/mountain/directions.html

Article Author:
Jason Rodgers
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