[norton05]

Hi everybody, my name's Ryan, and like 5 jillion other people I've just moved to Henderson so time to introduce myself. Lost my job in Denver, CO and decided to pull up some roots and try something new. So far I really like the area, the desert is a welcome change from mountains and trees, not to mention below freezing temps and knee-deep snow.

Would anybody mind helping a n00b with some questions? Been riding for a good while but I feel lost here, it's so completely different from anywhere I've lived before. Anyway-

I've ridden Bootleg several times during the week and (surprise) I love it. I managed to shred my tires last time I was there, what tire would you guys reccomend for the area? I need something tough with decent volume, but can still be pedaled. I have set of DH tires that will work for weekend shuttling, but are way too heavy for XC use when I've gotta make it up under my own power.

Also, I like to head out into the wilderness and just walk around, explore, take pictures, see what I can see. Is there anything out there that's going to maim/eat/poison me? I've heard horror stories about snakes and coyotes, anything really to worry about? Bears and mountain lions I can deal with, but scorpions and ****- no clue. Is me walking out in the wastes even legal? I assume it's all BLM land, but I really have no idea.

Lastly my main biking passion is urban assault/exploration. The Strip area looks like a prime candidate, except for all the traffic. Smart, or should I go elsewhere. Also I usually ignore the 'no bikes' rule at skateparks, but skaters here have told me about cops busting bmxers for doing just that- true?

Well thanks for reading, any advice would be greatly appreciated. If anybody wants to do shuttle runs during the week with a new guy, I've got gas money for ya I'll be at BC this weekend trying to do the shuttle thing, I'm on a green Iron Horse 7point. See everybody around!

 

[mjsca07]

I might be out tommorow. I got a busted wrist so ill be taking pics. Look for me and ill answer anything you want to know. name's matt. BTW, the shop out there (All Mountain) is the best in Vegas.

 

[big_slacker]

As for tires and such I run panaracer firepro XC's and haven't shredded them despite all the gravel and sharp stones. I'm not a downhill guy though.

Stuff that can kill you? If you're gonna go wandering I would bring a snakebite kit, we do have rattlers. Scorpions are mostly out at night and they're really not life threatening. Wear boots anyway. Coyotes are nighttime craetures too. But if you're gonna be out there alone it wouldn't hurt to bring a pistol. Small caliber is fine, no bears.

I know you're in henderson but if you feel like a change of scenery check out the blue diamond/cottonwood trails system over in the SW of town. Nice views, decent trails.

 

[mattbikeboy]

Welcome to the valley. I don't know what you'd be worried about running into at night out here that you'd have to pack heat to deal with. Maybe some creepy characters at a trailhead (but in 11 years in Vegas I haven't had a problem). The only critter that could possibly pose threat is a mountain lion and if you ride in a group it won't be a problem -- besides he'd jump you from behind before you'd see him or be able to pull a sidearm from your pack anyway.

Enough of that. You'll like the Cowboy Trails and Cottonwood as mentioned above. For some trail and shop info go to my website.

http://www.barta-nv.com/id21.html

mbb

 

[big_slacker]

He was talking wandering alone on BLM land. Trailheads I wouldn't be concerned with. Coyotes I'd be worried about, my little brother has been stalked by a pack before. (Northern nevada, in tahoe!)

Also you've got squatters who may be out there because they just don't like people or they may be hiding from the law. I've been on BLM land before and come across some shady folks in the middle of nowhere living out of a trailer.

I have also seen a mountain lion (again, northern NV, not down here in the south) albiet from a distance. Better safe than sorry. Maybe it was my upbringing, but I don't see a gun as any different than any other 'what if' tool. You likely won't need it, but the one time you do, you'll REALLY need it.

Again, this is for wilderness wandering, I don't ride my MTB on established trails with a piece.

 

[norton05]

thanks for the advice everybody! I got to shuttle Bootleg, which was a blast. It showed me just how much I have to learn, those trails are gnarly. Can't wait to go back. matt I'm not sure I met you, I was too excited to ride to remember

big slacker, thanks, those trails are on my list now. I've seen a few threads here about blue diamond and it looks like fun, and I think I've actually driven near it once. glad to hear about the wildlife, I'll just stick to daytime for now.

mattbikeboy thanks for the link. Nice site, looks to be a good resource. Especially the bike shop list, All-Mountain is a nice place but a pretty far drive for like chain lube or something.

oh and I would never carry a gun on a ride, that would really take the fun out of it but if I was hiking someplace remote and dangerous it might be prudent. Sounds like I'd be better off with a snakebite kit and just not walk at dawn/dusk for the coyotes.

 

[mattbikeboy]

oh and I would never carry a gun on a ride, that would really take the fun out of it but if I was hiking someplace remote and dangerous it might be prudent. Sounds like I'd be better off with a snakebite kit and just not walk at dawn/dusk for the coyotes.

Don't worry about snake bite kit and don't worry about coyotes (they are all yap). Night rides around here are a ton of fun and the coyotes don't bother people -- they just spook us when were out riding alone at night! Besides everyone knows that its the tarantulas that you have to watch out for.

mbb

 

[norton05]

I'm looking forward to nighttime trail riding, I've never really done it before but it seems like it would be a hoot. Gotta get me some cool HID lights, I've always wanted some. Can't imagine biking in the desert heat so nighttime it is!

eventually I'll be going out backpacking for 2-3 days at a time, once I get a feel for the land. I like trying my hand at being Survivorman (except I bring food ), and I always feel more confident if I have some type of emergency gear. In Colorado it was bear spray, water purifier, and emergency blankets, never had to use any of it but it doesn't weigh much so eh, might as well do the same here.

And as long as it didn't bite me I think it would be awesome to see a tarantula, those things are so cool

 

[Redmon]

Mountain lions are very rare around here as are tarantulas although Ive seen a few spidys. Coyotes Ive seen numerous times and in one instance I had one run across the trail about 10 yards in front of me. I dont know who was more suprised, me or the coyote. Never been bothered by the wild life either during the day or night.

 

[rodar y rodar]

I live a long way from Las Vegas, but I thought I`d put in my .02 on the critter situation and the gun situation. I guess a person could be stalked by a pack of coyotes, but I never heard of it until about three minutes ago- I wouldn`t worry about it. Personally, I love to hear them at night and it always gives me a little smile to see them trotting across the road. I think the most dangerous critters around are those big `ol bull jack rabbits when they`re in rut. Gotta watch out for them.

I have two comments about riding with guns- both really non-aplicable to the situation, but they`re decent stories and not too long: First, there`s a pretty nice chuckar creek about a half hour`s drive from my house but you can`t make it in 2wd. A couple times I`ve broken down my shotgun and strapped it onto the rack on my bike as a "just for the hell of it" alternative to hiking the last mile or so. I don`t know if that counts as riding while packing, but the next one does.

A few years back I went to a cowboy action match as a spectator. It looked like a lot of fun. Anyway, the best part (for me) was watching the mounted shooting. Since I don`t have a horse or even know how to ride one I decided to give it a try mounted on my old Univega mtb. Somehow I managed to miss both my feet with every shot, but that`s about the best I can claim. I really doubt I`ll ever try it again. Anyway, happy pedaling, Norton. Welcome to Nevada.

 

[big_slacker]

We lived in south lake tahoe kind of out in the woods. My brother would ride the bus at around dusk and walk from the stop about a half mile to our house which was in a semi-wooded area. We had bears go through our garbage, lots of squirells and it was a well known fact if you had small pets you better keep them inside at night.

Anyway, he was walking and saw what he thought was a dog. Up ahead. As he got closer he saw it was a coyote. He crossed the street. As he continued walking he heard something behind him. Another coyote, he kept walking. He turned around to look and saw another following him. He was pretty worried and took out his leatherman tool of all things in case they attacked. LOL! There was a young girl killed by a coyote that same year in south lake.

Later we lived in another area closer to the casinos. There was a large pack of coyotes that would run the edgewood golf course at night. This course was a block from our house. They would follow my bro home on the other side of the fence. One person was bitten in the caesar's parking lot. The local animal control and sheriff's department ended up staking out with a rifle and night scope to kill the pack. Not that I think you're calling BS on me, but just google lake tahoe coyote attacks. Here is one small blurb:

"1999. Seven people were bitten by coyotes between March and August in the Lake Tahoe area, including one tourist who was bitten in the thigh while walking in the Caesars Tahoe parking lot over Memorial Day weekend. Airplane flights at the South Lake Tahoe runway have been cancelled or delayed due to coyotes on the airport runway, who have even chased planes as they took off! In May, 1999, the airport was told by the FAA to find a solution to the problem. Animal control killed 19 of the boldest coyotes in the casino area. (SDUT 8/20/99, A28) "

I live a long way from Las Vegas, but I thought I`d put in my .02 on the critter situation and the gun situation. I guess a person could be stalked by a pack of coyotes, but I never heard of it until about three minutes ago- I wouldn`t worry about it. Personally, I love to hear them at night and it always gives me a little smile to see them trotting across the road. I think the most dangerous critters around are those big `ol bull jack rabbits when they`re in rut. Gotta watch out for them.

I have two comments about riding with guns- both really non-aplicable to the situation, but they`re decent stories and not too long: First, there`s a pretty nice chuckar creek about a half hour`s drive from my house but you can`t make it in 2wd. A couple times I`ve broken down my shotgun and strapped it onto the rack on my bike as a "just for the hell of it" alternative to hiking the last mile or so. I don`t know if that counts as riding while packing, but the next one does.

A few years back I went to a cowboy action match as a spectator. It looked like a lot of fun. Anyway, the best part (for me) was watching the mounted shooting. Since I don`t have a horse or even know how to ride one I decided to give it a try mounted on my old Univega mtb. Somehow I managed to miss both my feet with every shot, but that`s about the best I can claim. I really doubt I`ll ever try it again. Anyway, happy pedaling, Norton. Welcome to Nevada.

 

[Redmon]

We lived in south lake tahoe kind of out in the woods. My brother would ride the bus at around dusk and walk from the stop about a half mile to our house which was in a semi-wooded area. We had bears go through our garbage, lots of squirells and it was a well known fact if you had small pets you better keep them inside at night.

Anyway, he was walking and saw what he thought was a dog. Up ahead. As he got closer he saw it was a coyote. He crossed the street. As he continued walking he heard something behind him. Another coyote, he kept walking. He turned around to look and saw another following him. He was pretty worried and took out his leatherman tool of all things in case they attacked. LOL! There was a young girl killed by a coyote that same year in south lake.

Later we lived in another area closer to the casinos. There was a large pack of coyotes that would run the edgewood golf course at night. This course was a block from our house. They would follow my bro home on the other side of the fence. One person was bitten in the caesar's parking lot. The local animal control and sheriff's department ended up staking out with a rifle and night scope to kill the pack. Not that I think you're calling BS on me, but just google lake tahoe coyote attacks. Here is one small blurb:

"1999. Seven people were bitten by coyotes between March and August in the Lake Tahoe area, including one tourist who was bitten in the thigh while walking in the Caesars Tahoe parking lot over Memorial Day weekend. Airplane flights at the South Lake Tahoe runway have been cancelled or delayed due to coyotes on the airport runway, who have even chased planes as they took off! In May, 1999, the airport was told by the FAA to find a solution to the problem. Animal control killed 19 of the boldest coyotes in the casino area. (SDUT 8/20/99, A28) "

Good stuff Big slacker! One thing that is cool about coyotes is that you can hear them coming when they are in a pack. My buddy and I camped Gooseberry a few months back and as we sat around the fire drinking some brews we heard what sounded like a big ass pack of coyotes. Thirty seconds later, again but closer. Very creepy. Made me glad I was camping out of the bed of my truck. My buddy was on the ground but he did have his pistol just in case.

 

[rodar y rodar]

Yeah, sounds pretty scary. But it`ll be even worse if you ever happen to bend down to tie your shoe when there`s one of those big bull jacks in rut waiting behind you. Yowza! Just kidding, Big Slacker- I hadn`t heard of people being stalked by coyotes before, but I know a lot of things might happen that I`ve never heard of.