Blue Diamond Is A Bicyclist's Best Friend

Instead of cycling the Red Rock Scenic Loop, I bypassed the loop entrance in favor of a tremendous ride to Blue Diamond. Both rides are in the 28-mile range but so different. The Loop requires five miles of grinding steep grades to get to the overlook, then zipping down at speeds of 40 mph. In contrast, the State Road 159 route to Blue Diamond and back is more rolly-polly hills with nice vistas of the famous red-striped mountains to the right.

Blue Diamond is a cluster of homes off 159. It's a fun bunch with a few quirky residents thrown in there for good measure.

The views are wonderful along a relatively gentle sloping road.