Bootleg Canyon MTB Park, Boulder City NV, Jan 27-28, 2007

[Zazz]

I plan to ride Bootleg Canyon MTB Park as an all day excursion during a trip to Las Vegas. Any advice or interest in making this a group ride? For more info see http://www.bootlegcanyon.org

[Kosk]

Rent a big bike and point it downhill!!!

[dave t]

Larry you are in for a treat.
I was there with Barry last May. Maybe he told you about it.
I can tell you there's no way I will go to Vegas again if I don't get to ride Bootleg while I'm there. I haven't ridden any of the big name bike spots so I can't say how it compares but I had MUCHO fun and didn't even get to ride the "official" DH stuff. It was my favorite part of the trip by far.
Rent from All Mountain Cyclery right down the hill. They have great bikes, seemed like cool guys and if something breaks, they are close (less than a mile). You should try to reserve your bike a few weeks ahead so you get what you want. You probably saw their web site is linked from the site you posted.
I can tell you a bunch more than I care to type. I haven't ridden with you for a long time. Let's hit Leb or Mammoth sometime before you go.

I'll PM my cell.

[kidinthecorner]

The downhill trails at Bootleg are awesome. I haven't ridden any of the XC trails but I've heard good things about them as well. My advice is to wear at least knee/shin pads if you ride the DH trails. Those rocks are sharp and plentiful. Also be prepared for the shuttle truck to break down at least once.

Have fun! I was hoping to make a trip out there this winter but a torn ACL put the kibosh on those plans.

[TML]

I'll hopefully be hitting Bootleg in March when I tag along with my wife on her trip for a work conference.

I'll look into bike rentals at All Mountain Cyclery.

Any other riding suggestions in the Vegas Area?

[jag]

Cottonwood trails are a little tamer. More cross country than bootleg. Better scenery. I like both about equal. Blue diamond bike shop next to trail.

I haven't been to the cowboy trails yet but they say they are tougher than bootleg and the bike shop may try to talk you out of going there.

I might be out there in March also. Waiting to make plans until after my body heals a little better.

[dave t]

I thought the variety was pretty good. Progressive from pretty easy to as hairy as most would dare to even try.

We hit lower and middle lake view to start. Lots of small to medium gully drops like mammoth but desert.

Then we took girlscout up to the mid-mountain junction and then an inner loop from caldera that isn't on the map. I returned on west leg and the Thompson brothers went back down girlscout.
Those sections are all narrow desert single track that isn't really like anything I have ridden before. It is up and down and really rocky.

Then we drove to the top of the road and biked to the Lake Mead lookout and back. That is a switchback climb with some tricky rock step sections.

After that, I took a solo run down skyline to the mid-mountain lot. This was the most challenging section I hit and left no room for error in several places. I flatted and had to hike back a bit just to find a spot big enough to do the fix.

After Skyline, I tried to finish down east leg but flatted my last tube and of course my patch glue was dry. :mad: Later, at the hotel, I found a pack of sticky patches!:mad: :mad: :mad:

Tip: bring tubes, sticky patches and a pump.

[Buck]

I thought the variety was pretty good. Progressive from pretty easy to as hairy as most would dare to even try.

We hit lower and middle lake view to start. Lots of small to medium gully drops like mammoth but desert.

Then we took girlscout up to the mid-mountain junction and then an inner loop from caldera that isn't on the map. I returned on west leg and the Thompson brothers went back down girlscout.
Those sections are all narrow desert single track that isn't really like anything I have ridden before. It is up and down and really rocky.

Then we drove to the top of the road and biked to the Lake Mead lookout and back. That is a switchback climb with some tricky rock step sections.

After that, I took a solo run down skyline to the mid-mountain lot. This was the most challenging section I hit and left no room for error in several places. I flatted and had to hike back a bit just to find a spot big enough to do the fix.

After Skyline, I tried to finish down east leg but flatted my last tube and of course my patch glue was dry. :mad: Later, at the hotel, I found a pack of sticky patches!:mad: :mad: :mad:

Tip: bring tubes, sticky patches and a pump.

hahahaha. :jumpy: the flat tire ride from hell!!!!

[dave t]

hahahaha. :jumpy: the flat tire ride from hell!!!!

It's funny now but I wanted to run that section so bad. It gives access to a super steep line with a little 3 or 4 foot vertical drop half way down.

When I opened the glue and saw the foil was open :cryin: :cryin: :cryin: I had to choke back the tears.:D
I tried to use duct tape but it held just long enough to get the wheel back on.

When I found the patches in the tool kit I forgot I even had, I could have kicked my own ass for not looking at everything in my pack out on the trail.

[Nooner]

darn larry! i'm driving out to moab from california jan. 15th via vegas. just missed you by a week! have a great time!

[Zazz]

I rented this nice bike.

[dave t]

I rented this nice bike.
I was wondering if you would throw in your $.02 Larry.
What did you think?

[Zazz]

David,
This is a great winter destination. Cheap air fare into Las Vegas. The MTB park is only 30 minutes from the air port. All Mountain Cycle is right at the bottom of the MTB park, about a half mile ride at most. Trails were great, people were friendly. I stayed in Las Vegas at nights, so the cost of the trip could be reduced more by staying at the motels next to the bike shop. I rode on Saturday and Monday. Weather was perfect 60 degrees and dry.

[dave t]

the cost of the trip could be reduced more by staying at the motels next to the bike shop.
:banana:
I was thinking the exact same thing but that would have to be on a trip just for biking because no way would my wife go for staying in Boulder City instead of Vegas.
No sir, there'll be none of that!!