Red Rock Canyon's Colorful Characters

Last week you might remember Harvey, the Santa Cruz bicyclist who traveled to Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area's loop four times a year. He biked a massive mountain bike and was climbing about 3 mph up a steep hill when I saw him last Sunday.

I thought Harvey topped the colorful character category at the Red Rock loop.

Until this morning.

Around 6:50 a.m., I met a woman who puts new meaning behind colorful character. She rode a heavy clunker of a bike (a Next) and several other distinguishing characteristics:

-- Hey boyfriend refused to allow her to bike in the small granny gear to grind up the steep hills.

-- She wore a bikini bottom and flip flops.

-- Missing front tooth.

-- She says she doesn't mind being in the newspaper because she's already "on the internet."

Cycling Early At Red Rock Loop To Beat The 115 Heat In Vegas

I hit the Red Rock Scenic Loop outside Las Vegas by 6:30 am because that's what you do when the temps are supposed to hit the 115 mark today. Lots of other cyclists on the Red Rock circuit.

Mile 2 is super steep.

Love the early light.

Say Hello To Harvey

Harvey from Santa Cruz drives the 9 hours from the SF Bay area to bike the famed Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop four times a year. "It's better than Disneyworld," Harvey said while glancing at the Red Rock scenery and ringing his handlebar bell.

Summerlin to Blue Diamond on The 159

Incredible morning of cycling from the Summerlin home to Blue Diamond and back. Lots of cyclists of all types out on Nev 159, the main strip for cycling as people head for Red Rock Canyon.

Kevin Cannon, a photo editor at the Review-Journal, came by and we biked the 30-mile round trip.

Shadows To Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop

Las Vegas Ride of Silence: Remembering Bicyclists Lost

Job well done by Jim Little and the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club for organizing tonight's Ride of Silence in Las Vegas. It was a 15-mile ride to remember bicyclists killed by motorists, and rides like these were held across the USA and the world. Tonight's photos.

Wednesday: Remember Bicyclists Killed By Motorists On Wednesday

Las Vegas Ride of Silence in cooperation with the Ride of Silence of Dallas, Texas.

Locally organized by members of the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club.

Who:
Cyclists; road, recreation, commuter, race, triathlon. All who legally share the road

What:
The world wide Ride Of Silence™ bike rally

When:
Wednesday, May 15, 2013, Ride beginning at 7 PM

Where:

Leaving at 7:00 PM from parking lot adjacent to the Southwest Corner of W. Sahara and S. Decatur on W. Sahara
Registration at the site from 6:00 to 6:45 PM

15 mile ride on city streets and roads (not recommended for young children).

Why:
• to mourn those cyclists past and present killed by motorists
• to raise awareness (among motorists, police, and city officials) of cyclists on the road
• to have motorists know we only want to share the road we ride on
• to show that cyclists are not going away

THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET
On the third Wednesday of May, at 7 PM local around the world, cyclists will take to the roads in a silent protest of the carnage taking place on the streets.

Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in a Dallas park in 2003 after Larry Schwartz, a local endurance cyclist, was struck and killed by a passing buses mirror on an empty road in Dallas, Texas.

The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph for approximately one hour, and participants are to remain silent during the ride except for safety reasons.  Cell phones are to be on silent mode and no head phone devices are to be used during the ride.

The ride hopes to raise cycling awareness during bike safety month to motorists, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to mourn, in funeral procession style, those who have already been killed.

The ride requests black arm bands be worn, red only if you have had a bike/motor vehicle accident. Helmets are required; bright clothing, lights front and rear are required for the ride which will be taking place after sundown into early evening. There are no fees charged anyone to participate.

Chris Phelan is looking for as many cyclists as possible to ride at one of the numerous locations in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, South and Central America and the rest of the world. Last year there were over 300 locations in all 50 US states, and 18 countries including: Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Caribbean, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain.

Chris Phelan can be reached at here.

The web site is: www.rideofsilence.org

James Little

Local Organizer - Home # (702)360-4751 - Email:  lvrodeoman1@aol.com

Board Member, LVVBC

For additional information go to the LVVBC web site at: www.lasvegasbikeclub.org