I spent a long easter weekend in Vegas this year and researched a bike shop prior to arriving to rent a bike from and routes to ride. I ended up picking McGhie's based on online reviews and their website information. A few items I needed to work out:
1. What did I need to bring to rent a bike there: Just need your cycling clothes and shoes. But I would recommend bringing your pedals as I did because it is easy and they don't guarantee they will have pedals available to match your shoes.
2. How to get to the bike shop: I didn't rent a car and the shop is about 8 miles off the vegas strip. I was going to get a taxi but instead realized the metro buses have a stop right by the shop. I ended up using google maps on my iphone and its public transit maps and schedule. It directed me to get on a bus right by the vegas strip, pay $2 each way or $5 for a day pass, and ride the bus for 30 minutes to the shop. If you have never used google maps public transit option, i recommend you trying it next time you are in a big city. It provides to the minute bus arrival and departure times, based off their schedule, and made finding a bus and knowing when to get off a snap. If you don't have a internet capable phone you can plan it online but doesn't give you the flexibility to pick different times if you find yourself getting to the stop at different time than you predicted.
I arrived at the shop on Saturday at noon without making reservations online and had no problem getting a bike my size to rent. Their standard bike is a Cannondale Synapse 5 and costs $40 per day. Included in the rental is a tool bag with pump, spare tubes, and multi tool kit. You also get a helmet.
I found on mapmyride.com a route from the an area near the bike shop through the Red Rock Canyon road area:
The bike shop had printed maps that take you right to this area so that made it even easier. The route is very safe except for a moderately busy road right by the bike shop. You ride out to the area on a slight uphill the entire way but nothing significant. The loop in red rock canyon park is 13 miles with many twisty curvers. Its a 2 lane, one-way road with good pavement and very safe conditions. It is a popular cyclist area and due to how scenic the area is cars are traveling at a pace barely faster than a cyclist. It cost cars $5 to enter this park area but free for cyclists. The first 4 miles is almost continuous climbing, but nothing too steep. Then the loop becomes a little rolling for a few miles, and then is mainly downhill. You then arrive back at the main road back into town which includes a wide shoulder for cycling traffic and it is mainly downhill.
Overall the route was 35 miles. The scenery is incredible as you are riding at the base of the mountains on the west side of Vegas and the red rock canyon area includes many deep canyons off to the side of the road which make the area so popular. You don't actually climb into the mountains but definitely get a work-out.
I would recommend at least renting a bike on your next Vegas vacation or business trip. It was well worth the small hassle of catching a bus to the shop and back and loosing 4 hours or so of Vegas Strip time.
Glad you enjoyed the ride, we did this during the month of August!! We left the Hotel before sunrise though :-) We stayed at the Red Rock resort which is a nice alternative to the strip and rented Bikes from McGhees. In case you didn't know, they have a contract with the red rock resort and will deliver Bikes there in their Van. We rented Bikes for 3 Days and got to know the Bell Captain at the Hotel, they took care of the Bikes for us and even filled the water Bottles with iced water before we set out. I think it's around 7 or 8 miles from the scenic loop...a great way to spend a few Days, the best of both worlds..
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