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ROLLING IN RED ROCK CANYON
Leave from: Las Vegas
The jaunt: The real jackpot around Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, a desert playground just 17 miles west of the Strip. Of course, most of the 40 million annual vacationers here still prefer one-armed bandits to two-wheeling, leaving 100 miles of single-track trails yours for the taking. Escape Adventures leads two-day mountain biking trips through the canyon, leaving right from the Mirage. You'll be pedaling through a Joshua tree forest and past wild mustangs, logging a total of 10 to 25 miles per day. The trails are buffed just right for beginner mountain bikers, who can focus on cacti, cliffs, and canyon views without having to navigate tricky technical spots. Feeling lucky? You can also do the trails as a day trip and still have time to hit the blackjack table.
Your chariot: A Santa Cruz Blur full-suspension mountain bike
Check into: There's no shortage of great hotels in Las Vegas. But if you want to stay out in the wilderness, try the 115-acre Bonnie Springs Ranch, a Wild West outpost with basic rooms but dynamic desert views.
Escape Adventures
Tel: 800 596 2953
$449 for two days' riding and one night's lodging, plus meals
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