AutomaticMonkey
AutomaticMonkey
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camapl
October 20th, 2024 at 6:52:46 PM permalink
As a new transplant to Las Vegas one of the things I had to do was find new places to ride my bike. For reasons of basic thermodynamics I do not like to ride when the ambient temperature is higher than body temperature, but this weekend it has finally gotten cool, so I looked at maps and guides from various sites (including WoV) and gave it a shot.

My first outing on Friday was to a place called Las Vegas Wash. On the map it looked interesting, nice and long and going through a part of the city I didn't know that well. So I parked at the East Las Vegas Park and started riding. But about a mile into the ride, looking up ahead, what did I see?

"Bums, Mr. Rico! Zillions of them!"

Oh no, the bums had set up an encampment, sufficient in size to block the trail. I could have plowed through that mess, but as that aphorism defining prudent behavior goes- "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Disappointed, I turned around, did a few laps around the park itself before stowing my bike and heading home.

Saturday I decided to try the Western Beltway Trail, along I-215 from Tropicana to Charleston. This was very different. Easy parking in lots behind the businesses alongside the trail. Then a quick run to a street called Peace and a Terrible's, where you have to cross the road, and back on the trail.

Now this was interesting! I saw mountains in front of me, and they looked quite imposing. The ride was fatiguing me greatly, but I pressed on, and for some reason the mountains seemed to be getting lower! In fact every time I looked they seemed a little lower, and despite my fatigue, the curiosity of this happening drove me to continue. What could possibly be causing this?

Eventually I got to Charleston, I saw the Red Rock Casino across the road and under an overpass, and looked around and the mountains had totally disappeared! Where did they go? But this is not the most unexpected thing to happen...

As I headed back, my bike seemed to take on a life of it's own. It was accelerating without me even pedaling, and I frequently had to apply my brakes to prevent an unsafe speed. I did have to pedal briefly to cross a trail overpass, but once past it the same thing kept happening, bike going faster and faster with little to no pedaling. I was back at Peace very quickly, and when I turned around the mountains had reappeared. Then just a very short run to the parking lot and my car.

Puzzling and curious, but very enjoyable. Looking forward to more cool weather and to see if I can make other mountains disappear.
Johnzimbo
Johnzimbo
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October 21st, 2024 at 12:06:12 PM permalink
You couldn't tell you were going uphill?
DRich
DRich
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October 21st, 2024 at 1:43:55 PM permalink
Quote: Johnzimbo

You couldn't tell you were going uphill?
link to original post



He must be in a lot better shape than I am. Then again, Stephen Hawking is probably in better shape than I am. Yes, I realize he is dead.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
AutomaticMonkey
AutomaticMonkey
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camapl
October 21st, 2024 at 5:53:30 PM permalink
Quote: Johnzimbo

You couldn't tell you were going uphill?
link to original post



No such thing! When on my bike, I do not acknowledge such concepts as "uphill" or "downhill."
There are only magical mountains and inexplicable accelerations.
MDawg
MDawg
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October 21st, 2024 at 5:58:25 PM permalink
I've biked hills where the downhill is a chore, and the mere thought of going back up is taxing.

I used to bike this hill where someone had fine spray painted "Don't look now - false summit!" on the side of the road, and every time I went by it, I'd think to myself, "Don't look now, false summit!" In other words, mind over matter only gets you so far, sometimes.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
ChumpChange
ChumpChange
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October 21st, 2024 at 6:46:58 PM permalink
I burned out on cycling almost 30 years ago. It was a 100 degree day and I tried a 60 mile round trip and wound up with sun poisoning that lasted over a week.
billryan
billryan 
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Joined: Nov 2, 2009
October 21st, 2024 at 7:41:24 PM permalink
There is a trail in Boulder City that follows an old railroad line and has several tunnels. I hiked the first part of it, but you can also ride a good distance.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
camapl
camapl
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Joined: Jun 22, 2010
October 22nd, 2024 at 8:20:05 AM permalink
Quote: ChumpChange

I burned out on cycling almost 30 years ago. It was a 100 degree day and I tried a 60 mile round trip and wound up with sun poisoning that lasted over a week.
link to original post



Pun intended?
It’s a dog eat dog world. …Or maybe it’s the other way around!
rxwine
rxwine
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October 22nd, 2024 at 11:00:44 AM permalink
When Vegas had the big downturn and housing bubble collapsed I was actually happy again cycling in Vegas. Before that regular city streets were a hazard with teens having enough money to cruise the streets, throw things out their window or swerve over towards you just to f with you. But I was biking a lot then, day, evenings and even in the middle of the night. I had donated my car to a charity at the time, and spent about a year without one. I’m still trying to remember the charity but it was sponsored by 3 performers that were a Vegas act at the time.
Sanitized for Your Protection
rxwine
rxwine
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October 22nd, 2024 at 11:07:20 AM permalink
This was them. “In 2000, the Scintas moved to Las Vegas and began performing at casinos, with resident shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, Rio, Sahara, The D, and Plaza casinos through the years.[2][11][12]”

With a little help from Ai.
Sanitized for Your Protection
DRich
DRich
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October 22nd, 2024 at 11:13:04 AM permalink
Quote: rxwine

When Vegas had the big downturn and housing bubble collapsed I was actually happy again cycling in Vegas. Before that regular city streets were a hazard with teens having enough money to cruise the streets, throw things out their window or swerve over towards you just to f with you. But I was biking a lot then, day, evenings and even in the middle of the night. I had donated my car to a charity at the time, and spent about a year without one. I’m still trying to remember the charity but it was sponsored by 3 performers that were a Vegas act at the time.
link to original post



Cycling in Vegas was awesome during the pandemic. You could go down the whole Las Vegas strip and only see a few cars. There were more bikes and skateboards on the strip than cars.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
billryan
billryan 
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Joined: Nov 2, 2009
October 22nd, 2024 at 12:13:48 PM permalink
Quote: rxwine

This was them. “In 2000, the Scintas moved to Las Vegas and began performing at casinos, with resident shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, Rio, Sahara, The D, and Plaza casinos through the years.[2][11][12]”

With a little help from Ai.
link to original post



In the fall of 2001, I stayed at the Rio and went to The Scintas afternoon show at the Rio. It was free but you had to buy a $5ish drink.
I thought they were great, so next Fall, I'm back in town with a group, and I invite them all to the show. I'm thinking $80 tops. I go to the box office, and tickets are $25.99 each plus a one-drink minimum. I got a group rate that knocked about $50 off the bill. After the show, one of my coworkers said he was impressed, he thought I was inviting them to a free show.
They were great when they started out but when I saw them a few years later, the spark was gone and they were another Vegas act, performing by rote.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
terapined
terapined
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Joined: Dec 1, 2012
October 30th, 2024 at 7:53:46 AM permalink
Quote: AutomaticMonkey

As a new transplant to Las Vegas one of the things I had to do was find new places to ride my bike. For reasons of basic thermodynamics I do not like to ride when the ambient temperature is higher than body temperature, but this weekend it has finally gotten cool, so I looked at maps and guides from various sites (including WoV) and gave it a shot.

My first outing on Friday was to a place called Las Vegas Wash. On the map it looked interesting, nice and long and going through a part of the city I didn't know that well. So I parked at the East Las Vegas Park and started riding. But about a mile into the ride, looking up ahead, what did I see?

"Bums, Mr. Rico! Zillions of them!"

Oh no, the bums had set up an encampment, sufficient in size to block the trail. I could have plowed through that mess, but as that aphorism defining prudent behavior goes- "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Disappointed, I turned around, did a few laps around the park itself before stowing my bike and heading home.

Saturday I decided to try the Western Beltway Trail, along I-215 from Tropicana to Charleston. This was very different. Easy parking in lots behind the businesses alongside the trail. Then a quick run to a street called Peace and a Terrible's, where you have to cross the road, and back on the trail.

Now this was interesting! I saw mountains in front of me, and they looked quite imposing. The ride was fatiguing me greatly, but I pressed on, and for some reason the mountains seemed to be getting lower! In fact every time I looked they seemed a little lower, and despite my fatigue, the curiosity of this happening drove me to continue. What could possibly be causing this?

Eventually I got to Charleston, I saw the Red Rock Casino across the road and under an overpass, and looked around and the mountains had totally disappeared! Where did they go? But this is not the most unexpected thing to happen...

As I headed back, my bike seemed to take on a life of it's own. It was accelerating without me even pedaling, and I frequently had to apply my brakes to prevent an unsafe speed. I did have to pedal briefly to cross a trail overpass, but once past it the same thing kept happening, bike going faster and faster with little to no pedaling. I was back at Peace very quickly, and when I turned around the mountains had reappeared. Then just a very short run to the parking lot and my car.

Puzzling and curious, but very enjoyable. Looking forward to more cool weather and to see if I can make other mountains disappear.
link to original post


Biking in Vegas sucks
Best cities for biking are cities with a river running through it with bike trails on both sides of the river with plenty of bridges. Had a blast in Durango recently. Some cities don't make the bike trail along their rivers investments. Durango does :-)
Dark green are bike trails
When somebody doesn't believe me, I could care less. Some get totally bent out of shape when not believed. Weird. I believe very little on all forums
billryan
billryan 
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Joined: Nov 2, 2009
October 30th, 2024 at 9:24:29 AM permalink
Quote: terapined

Quote: AutomaticMonkey

As a new transplant to Las Vegas one of the things I had to do was find new places to ride my bike. For reasons of basic thermodynamics I do not like to ride when the ambient temperature is higher than body temperature, but this weekend it has finally gotten cool, so I looked at maps and guides from various sites (including WoV) and gave it a shot.

My first outing on Friday was to a place called Las Vegas Wash. On the map it looked interesting, nice and long and going through a part of the city I didn't know that well. So I parked at the East Las Vegas Park and started riding. But about a mile into the ride, looking up ahead, what did I see?

"Bums, Mr. Rico! Zillions of them!"

Oh no, the bums had set up an encampment, sufficient in size to block the trail. I could have plowed through that mess, but as that aphorism defining prudent behavior goes- "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Disappointed, I turned around, did a few laps around the park itself before stowing my bike and heading home.

Saturday I decided to try the Western Beltway Trail, along I-215 from Tropicana to Charleston. This was very different. Easy parking in lots behind the businesses alongside the trail. Then a quick run to a street called Peace and a Terrible's, where you have to cross the road, and back on the trail.

Now this was interesting! I saw mountains in front of me, and they looked quite imposing. The ride was fatiguing me greatly, but I pressed on, and for some reason the mountains seemed to be getting lower! In fact every time I looked they seemed a little lower, and despite my fatigue, the curiosity of this happening drove me to continue. What could possibly be causing this?

Eventually I got to Charleston, I saw the Red Rock Casino across the road and under an overpass, and looked around and the mountains had totally disappeared! Where did they go? But this is not the most unexpected thing to happen...

As I headed back, my bike seemed to take on a life of it's own. It was accelerating without me even pedaling, and I frequently had to apply my brakes to prevent an unsafe speed. I did have to pedal briefly to cross a trail overpass, but once past it the same thing kept happening, bike going faster and faster with little to no pedaling. I was back at Peace very quickly, and when I turned around the mountains had reappeared. Then just a very short run to the parking lot and my car.

Puzzling and curious, but very enjoyable. Looking forward to more cool weather and to see if I can make other mountains disappear.
link to original post


Biking in Vegas sucks
Best cities for biking are cities with a river running through it with bike trails on both sides of the river with plenty of bridges. Had a blast in Durango recently. Some cities don't make the bike trail along their rivers investments. Durango does :-)
Dark green are bike trails

link to original post



What do you think of Tucsons bike paths? They crisscross the city and we have three dry river beds.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
terapined
terapined
  • Threads: 95
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Joined: Dec 1, 2012
October 30th, 2024 at 10:05:01 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Quote: terapined

Quote: AutomaticMonkey

As a new transplant to Las Vegas one of the things I had to do was find new places to ride my bike. For reasons of basic thermodynamics I do not like to ride when the ambient temperature is higher than body temperature, but this weekend it has finally gotten cool, so I looked at maps and guides from various sites (including WoV) and gave it a shot.

My first outing on Friday was to a place called Las Vegas Wash. On the map it looked interesting, nice and long and going through a part of the city I didn't know that well. So I parked at the East Las Vegas Park and started riding. But about a mile into the ride, looking up ahead, what did I see?

"Bums, Mr. Rico! Zillions of them!"

Oh no, the bums had set up an encampment, sufficient in size to block the trail. I could have plowed through that mess, but as that aphorism defining prudent behavior goes- "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Disappointed, I turned around, did a few laps around the park itself before stowing my bike and heading home.

Saturday I decided to try the Western Beltway Trail, along I-215 from Tropicana to Charleston. This was very different. Easy parking in lots behind the businesses alongside the trail. Then a quick run to a street called Peace and a Terrible's, where you have to cross the road, and back on the trail.

Now this was interesting! I saw mountains in front of me, and they looked quite imposing. The ride was fatiguing me greatly, but I pressed on, and for some reason the mountains seemed to be getting lower! In fact every time I looked they seemed a little lower, and despite my fatigue, the curiosity of this happening drove me to continue. What could possibly be causing this?

Eventually I got to Charleston, I saw the Red Rock Casino across the road and under an overpass, and looked around and the mountains had totally disappeared! Where did they go? But this is not the most unexpected thing to happen...

As I headed back, my bike seemed to take on a life of it's own. It was accelerating without me even pedaling, and I frequently had to apply my brakes to prevent an unsafe speed. I did have to pedal briefly to cross a trail overpass, but once past it the same thing kept happening, bike going faster and faster with little to no pedaling. I was back at Peace very quickly, and when I turned around the mountains had reappeared. Then just a very short run to the parking lot and my car.

Puzzling and curious, but very enjoyable. Looking forward to more cool weather and to see if I can make other mountains disappear.
link to original post


Biking in Vegas sucks
Best cities for biking are cities with a river running through it with bike trails on both sides of the river with plenty of bridges. Had a blast in Durango recently. Some cities don't make the bike trail along their rivers investments. Durango does :-)
Dark green are bike trails

link to original post



What do you think of Tucsons bike paths? They crisscross the city and we have three dry river beds.
link to original post


I didn't do much biking in Tucson
I need to go back
Spent my time there having real adventures exploring art museums, Titan missile museum, street art and Missions



When somebody doesn't believe me, I could care less. Some get totally bent out of shape when not believed. Weird. I believe very little on all forums
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