New to area from Socal

This is my 1st summer here, and I don't mess with the heat, although it's def do-able in the early morning hours.

I always head up to Mt. Charleston and ride the Bristlecone Trail. It's actually a loop, but they refer to half of the loop as the Upper Bristlecone, and the other as the Lower Bristlecone. Most people park at the Lower Bristlecone lot and ride it up, which is about an 800' climb over 3 miles, followed by a 3 mile semi-technical downhill. Killer views. Good fun, but a little too short. That trail sits at about 8k', so the weather is about 30 deg cooler than in the valley.

I have off on Mondays/Tuesdays, so that's when I head up. That and usually a sunset ride on Friday or Saturday.

Cisco_Kid said:

This is my 1st summer here, and I don't mess with the heat, although it's def do-able in the early morning hours.

I always head up to Mt. Charleston and ride the Bristlecone Trail. It's actually a loop, but they refer to half of the loop as the Upper Bristlecone, and the other as the Lower Bristlecone. Most people park at the Lower Bristlecone lot and ride it up, which is about an 800' climb over 3 miles, followed by a 3 mile semi-technical downhill. Killer views. Good fun, but a little too short. That trail sits at about 8k', so the weather is about 30 deg cooler than in the valley.

I have off on Mondays/Tuesdays, so that's when I head up. That and usually a sunset ride on Friday or Saturday.

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Yeah I am finding out fast the weather here is not like SOcal; How far a drive is it to Mt. Charleston? I am usually off Sun-Mon, so perhaps next time can meet up. Mike

welcome to vegas. I'm new here too, from socal. Check out this link. It should help you out:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=93506

invest in a gps, if you don't have one already. you don't wana get lost on the trails in this heat. it also helps for exploratory missions for people, like me, that have bad sense of direction/memory.

gotta ride ealry in the morn to avoid the heat. if you finish your ride before 9AM, you shouldn't get burned.

ride safe
stay cool

We are riding the cowboy trails tomorrow Tuesday 07/27/10 at 7:30 AM
If you want to joins us you are more than welcome just make sure you bring at least 70 Oz of water preferable 100 Oz and Spare tubes at least one + a patch kit.
We are meeting in the parking lot.
http://www.meetup.com/thelvmbg/calendar/14212707/

Thanks for the info and links guys, I will keep in touch and use that in the near future.
Can't make the planned ride for tomorrow but will try again for the next week.
As for the most challenging trails in the immediate area, what would those be? and is a 6inch full sus bike too much? M

Mt. Charleston Lower Bristlecone Trail parking lot will be just over 45 min drive for you. For sure hit me up next Monday, (I can't ride Sunday's). I'm not one to get up at the crack of dawn, so I usually ride afternoons.

Most challenging trails would probably be the downhill trails at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City. About a 45 min drive from your area. 6" of travel is probably the minimum amount of travel you'll need to ride the downhill runs at Bootleg. Although they do have plenty of challenging XC trails there.

There's some seriously ass kicking trails of every type in southwest Utah. That would most likely be an over night stay.

The cowboy trails are challenging enough and 6'' is just about right.
Also bootleg has a lot of challenging trails.
Around here 6'' is really not a lot unless you only ride at Cottonwood and even there if you know where to go there are challenging trails, try Blackvelvet, The Hurls or the Dead Horse Loop for starters.

Relocated to Vegas 3 years ago, tend to ride Minx,Pixie ,the Roost and the wash up at Mt Charlie ,Tues/Thurs

Anyone up for a tuesday morning ride at cowboy trails?