Hoover Dam

Back in Vegas for AIM Expo, there was once again a time slot for a ride. After last year's winter ride, which included touching snow in Red Rock Valley, this one was fortunately a short-short ride.

A ride from Vegas to Hoover Dam is generally doable, but it requires a full day. So, I took the truck up to Boulder and started a loop from there. From a tourist parking lot near Lake Mead, I climbed up to Boulder on a historic train trail that has been converted into a paved bicycle path.
The planned loop led back toward Henderson on an official trail that circles River Mountain. With a mix of tarmac and gravel, I was able to avoid traffic and enjoy the ride on a rented Specialized Diverge. The route was mostly uphill at the beginning, but I was rewarded with a nice, long descent over several kilometers. Passing along Henderson, I reached the road that Brian and I used two years ago when starting from Vegas. For a short stretch, I rode the same route, passing by Lake Las Vegas.
From there, the ride continued on a newly paved bike path that runs independently from any neighborhood toward the western end of Lake Mead. Riding along the riverbank provided scenic views of the lake, though I had to deal with some pretty strong headwinds until I reached the parking area where I had started.
From there, it was time for the real highlight—a beautiful section of the historic train trail, this time on gravel and passing through several tunnels before finally reaching Hoover Dam. Built in the 1930s, the dam supplies electricity to many homes, even though the water level is significantly lower than in past years.
Another iconic place I’ve visited multiple times, but this time by bike—definitely a must-add to my personal list!

bike: Specialized Diverge
starring: Gerry Samer