Las Vegas Rides
This page provides direction on some of what we consider to be the best rides in Las Vegas with directions, approximate distances, and approximate elevation gains. The road routes are much more specific than the MTB routes.
All distances and elevation gains are approximate.
Road
These are the rides that Team Penta most often uses for training and are considered the best we have to offer.
Starting Points
Summerlin
Following is a map for all rides leaving from Summerlin. The closest cross streets are Town Center and Charleston.
Green Valley (Henderson)
Following is a map for all rides leaving from Green Valley. The closest cross streets are Green Valley and Pebble.
Red Rock Loop
From Summerlin
North on Charleston for 8 miles, you will see an entrance, booth, and welcome center on the right. Turn right, there is no charge for cyclists (the way it should be). This is a 13 mile one-way road with about 1750' of elevation gain and returns back to Charleston further into the canyon. Once back at Charleston go right to the 160 which will be a T intersection. Return following the reverse route staying on Charleston. This is a 44.57 mile route with 3342' of elevation gain. Ride Profile
From Green Valley (Henderson)
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose, across Las Vegas Blvd., over the I-15 overpass, and right at the Stop Sign heading into Southern Highlands. Stay on this street as it passes through Southern Highlands, it lasts 8 miles and will intersect with Highway 160. Turn left (North) on the 160 and ride for 10 miles. You will find a Right that goes to Blue Diamond on Highway 159 (Charleston) and right across the 160 from a Gas Station. Ride on this highway for 10 miles until you see an entrance, booth, and welcome center on the left. Turn left, there is no charge for cyclists (the way it should be). This is a 13 mile one-way road with about 1750' of elevation gain and returns back to Charleston further into the canyon. Once back at Charleston go right to return following the reverse route. This is a 30 mile route with 2500' of elevation gain. This is a 70 mile route with 3250' of elevation gain.
Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Potessi, and Lovell Canyon
From Summerlin, Red Rock, Potessi
North on Charleston for 8 miles, you will see an entrance, booth, and welcome center on the right. Turn right, there is no charge for cyclists (the way it should be). This is a 13 mile one-way road with about 1750' of elevation gain and returns back to Charleston further into the canyon. Once back at Charleston go right to the 160 which will be a T intersection. Turn Right and climb Potessi. From the turn it is 10 miles to the top. Reverse direction and descend Potessi and return following the reverse route. This is a 60.1 mile route with 5172' of elevation gain. Ride Profile
From Summerlin, Potessi and Lovell Canyon
North on Charleston for 16 miles, you will pass by Blue Diamond, then hit a T intersection with Highway 160. Turn Right and climb Potessi. From the turn it is 10 miles to the top. Pass over the top and descend for 4 miles where you will take a right on Lovell Canyon. Lovell Canyon becomes pretty remote, no cell access and very few cars. Lovell Canyon is 12 miles with a slight grade, at 6 miles there is a sharp descent, then back to the slight grade. At the end of Lovell Canyon reverse direction and return following the reverse route. This is a 85 mile route with 6500' of elevation gain.
From Green Valley (Henderson), Potessi
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose, across Las Vegas Blvd., over the I-15 overpass, and right at the Stop Sign heading into Southern Highlands. Stay on this street as it passes through Southern Highlands, it lasts 8 miles and will intersect with Highway 160. Turn left (North) on the 160 and ride 20 miles to the top of Potessi. From the turn to 159 (Blue Diamond) it is 10 miles to the top. Reverse direction and descend Potessi and return following the reverse route. This is a 80 mile route with 4500' of elevation gain.
From Green Valley (Henderson), Potessi and Lovell Canyon
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose, across Las Vegas Blvd., over the I-15 overpass, and right at the Stop Sign heading into Southern Highlands. Stay on this street as it passes through Southern Highlands, it lasts 8 miles and will intersect with Highway 160. Turn left (North) on the 160 and ride 20 miles to the top of Potessi. From the turn to 159 (Blue Diamond) it is 10 miles to the top. Pass over the top and descend for 4 miles where you will take a right on Lovell Canyon. Lovell Canyon becomes pretty remote, no cell access and very few cars. Lovell Canyon is 12 miles with a slight grade, at 6 miles there is a sharp descent, then back to the slight grade. At the end of Lovell Canyon reverse direction and return following the reverse route. This is a 110 mile route with 7500' of elevation gain.
Hoover Dam Via Boulder City
From Green Valley (Henderson)
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn left. Ride 4 miles on Horizon Ridge, there will be a 1 mile hill, and turn left on Horizon Drive. Ride 3 miles and turn right (South) on Boulder Highway. Follow Boulder Highway for 10 miles into Boulder City. At the first (and only) Stop and Go traffic light turn left, this will descend for 8 miles to the Hoover Dam. Cross the dam and climb the other side to the lookout. Great views from the lookout. Return following the reverse route. This is a 52.17 mile route with 4677' of elevation gain. Ride Profile
The Lake Loop
From Green Valley (Henderson)
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn left. Ride 4 miles on Horizon Ridge, there will be a 1 mile hill, and turn left on Horizon Drive. Ride 3 miles and turn right (South) on Boulder Highway. Follow Boulder Highway for 10 miles into Boulder City. At the first (and only) Stop and Go traffic light turn left, descend for 3 miles and turn left when you see a Welcome Center building. If you pass the Casino you have gone too far. After turning left you will ride for a couple miles and enter a toll both and you will have to pay (the way it should not be). Then follow the road as it travels about 8 miles along and above the lake. The road will then turn to the left and begin to climb for about 8 miles. Continue for about 10 miles, you will pass under the I-95 underpass. Turn left on Gibson which is the first light, climb up to Horizon Ridge (where you started) and turn right. Ride for about 4 miles and turn right on Green Valley which will take you back to the starting point. This is a 48.29 mile route with 3096' of elevation gain. This can be ridden in either direction, the ride profile illustrates it in the reverse direction. Ride Profile
Jean, Goodsprings, and Sandy Valley Pass, Sandy Valley
This is a multi option ride and can be ridden in 4 different configurations, each longer than the previous with more climbing.
From Green Valley (Henderson)
Jean
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose and turn left on Las Vegas Blvd. Ride 18 miles to Jean. Return following the reverse route. This is a 45 mile route with 1750' of elevation gain.
Goodsprings
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose and turn left on Las Vegas Blvd. Ride 18 miles to Jean. Once at Jean turn right and pass under the I-15 underpass. Ride 8 miles into Goodsprings, there is sort of a small roundabout (Rotary depending on where you are from), more or less go left and exit town. This will be a narrow and fairly new asphalt road that heads up a small canyon as you exit Goodsprings. This road will curve up and around and end at a T intersection. Turn left and ride for 1/2 miles to another T intersection. This is the road you rode out to Goodsprings on. Return following the reverse route. This is a 65 mile route with 2500' of elevation gain.
Sandy Valley Pass
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose and turn left on Las Vegas Blvd. Ride 18 miles to Jean. Once at Jean turn right and pass under the I-15 underpass. Ride 8 miles into Goodsprings, there is sort of a small roundabout (Rotary depending on where you are from), more or less go left and exit town. This will be a narrow and fairly new asphalt road that heads up a small canyon as you exit Goodsprings. This road will curve up and around and end at a T intersection. Turn right and head up the canyon, it will climb for 3 miles and end with a 1/4 mile steep incline. Reverse direction, descend the climb until you reach the T intersection, about 3 1/2 miles. This is the road you rode out to Goodsprings on. Return following the reverse route. This is a 70 mile route with 3500' of elevation gain.
Sandy Valley
South on Green Valley for 2 miles to Horizon Ridge and turn right. Ride 4 miles and turn right on Eastern. Ride 1 mile and turn left on St. Rose, this is a major intersection and the St. Rose hospital is on the corner. Ride 4 miles on St. Rose and turn left on Las Vegas Blvd. Ride 18 miles to Jean. Once at Jean turn right and pass under the I-15 underpass. Ride 8 miles into Goodsprings, there is sort of a small roundabout (Rotary depending on where you are from), more or less go left and exit town. This will be a narrow and fairly new asphalt road that heads up a small canyon as you exit Goodsprings. This road will curve up and around and end at a T intersection. Turn right and head up the canyon, it will climb for 3 miles and end with a 1/4 mile steep incline. Descend the other side for about 7 miles and then ride about 3 more miles (this gets a little sketchy at this point). You will be making a big loop in the Valley and returning up the same 7 miles climb. You will be turning left on a road that appears to go perfectly straight across the valley and up the mountains on the other side. Ride down this road for about 2 miles and turn right towards the small airport. This road will turn to the right after about 1 mile, then continue for about another 3 miles to a T intersection. At this point your can turn left and ride for about 1 mile where you will find a convenience store to fuel up. Do not expect a lot from Sandy Valley, it is small, remote, and does not offer a lot of support. If you went to the store reverse your direction and if you did not turn right at the T intersection. Follow that road for 4 miles and you will find a 4 way intersection which is the same road you descended into Sandy Valley on. Turn left and return following the reverse route, after the climb, descend the other side until you reach the T intersection, about 3 1/2 miles. This is the road you rode out to Goodsprings on. Return following the reverse route. This is a 81.12 mile route with 4957' of elevation gain. Ride Profile
Mt Charleston Hill Climb Time Trial
Voted as one of the toughest hill climbs in the country it will test your resolve. Without switch backs and being able to essentially see the top from the start it tough both psychologically and physically. Heading North towards Reno on US 95 and look for Lee Canyon. It is about 25 miles from Las Vegas Blvd. This is a 17.51 mile route with 5416' of elevation gain. Ride Profile
Mountain
There is not a lot that can be written with regard to routes, following are two starting points and the trails go out from there. Pick what you like, ultimately (with a little feel for direction) you will be able to find you way back to the starting points.
Leaving from Blue Diamond, check in with the Bike Outpost
From Summerlin
Travel by car, north on Charleston for 16 miles to Blue Diamond. Park in the Bike Outpost parking lot and ride from there.
From Green Valley (Henderson)
Travel by car, south on Green Valley for 1/4 mile, turn left to enter I-215, travel about 6 miles and exit on to the I-15 South (to Los Angeles) and immediately exit. This is near the Silverado Casino, right at the end of the ramp. Travel about 8 miles, right on the 159 to Blue Diamond, turn left at about 3 miles into Blue Diamond. north on Charleston for 16 miles to Blue Diamond. Park in the Bike Outpost parking lot and ride from there.
Leaving from the Parking Lot of the 160
From Summerlin
Travel by car, north on Charleston for 18 miles past Blue Diamond to Highway 160. This is a T intersection, turn right and travel about 3 miles and on the right there will be a dirt road exit with a parking lot. Park there and ride.
From Green Valley (Henderson)
Travel by car, south on Green Valley for 1/4 mile, turn right to enter I-215, travel about 6 miles and exit on to the I-15 South (to Los Angeles) and immediately exit. This is near the Silverado Casino, right at the end of the ramp. Travel about 12 miles (3 miles past the Highway 159 turn off to Blue Diamond) and on the right there will be a dirt road exit with a parking lot. There are usually a lot of other cars and trucks parked there, depending on the time of day and week. Park there and ride.
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