Escape Adventures Bike Tours & Rentals

Greetings. I signed up for the Half Day — CottonWood Valley/​Mustang Trail Singletrack
Friday, January 15 2016 @ 8:00am — 12:00pm. I would imagine that the #1 challenge for the guides, is how to handle a group of riders, strangers, with varying degrees of skill and physical abilities. Well Brandon was up to that task. I had a blast, and so did the rest of the group. He was knowledgeable of the terrain, fun and interesting factoids, and had a good sense of humor. I will do another guided ride on my next trip to LV (this time full day), and will be considering other guided rides that Escape Adventures offers.

Went for a late afternoon ½ ride on a full suspension Stumpie. I brought my own clipins and they accommodated me with the correct pedals.
It was great fun! The guide was patient and descriptive. The ride had a few small climbs and descents, but was very rideable. The scenery at the end of the day as the sun was descending was just magnificent. I would ride with Escape Adventures again for sure.

I never knew there were such beautiful mountains and outdoor activities so close to Vegas. I did a half day of mountain biking at Red Rock Canyon with guide Irving. We did Cotton Wood /​Mustang Trail. I was not very experienced and Irving was great — he was never impatient with me and told me to take my time so I wouldn’t get hurt. It was a pretty easy trail with a few challenging parts. I did a half day of hiking with guide Kevin at Sandstone Quarry Trail. He was a good guide and the hike was beautiful and moderately strenuous — just what I wanted. I will definitely do some more trips with Escape Adventures.

Type of venue: Outdoor adventure
# of outdoor adventure venues I have visited: 5+
# of outdoor adventure venues I have visited in Vegas: 1 (this one)
My boyfriend and I did the half-​day mountain bike tour for «beginners» last week. We’re from Oregon, in our young 30s, and are relatively outdoorsy and healthy. I went into this as a newbie mountain biker (although with cycling class experience) and the bf went into this with mountain biking experience, but only as a kid (20+ years ago). He did okay, but I did not. I would not say this is for beginners, let alone first timers.
Spinning/​cycling class skills do not transfer over to mountain biking well. I had difficulty learning how to balance my weight, position my body, and apply the brakes. The terrain had loose gravel, large rocks, and prickly plants along the narrow trail.
This is not a trail to practice and experiment on for the first time. On one of the first dips, my brain froze and I applied the left brake (front wheel) because I’m sometimes left-​handed, rather than the right (rear). (I know, rookie mistake.) I went head first into the prickly plants & rocks. My left thigh was pinned under the handlebars until I unfroze from the shock and the boyfriend lifted my bike up. I felt pain immediately afterwards, but adrenaline and the desire to finish kept me going. During the switchbacks, I was intimidated and got off my bike and walked which was allowed and even encouraged.
Our tour guide, Brandon, and our fellow rider rode ahead and then the four of us would reconvene for briefing before the next portion. This was great because they were able to do their thing while the boyfriend and I took it slow. Overall, the boyfriend had minimal problems with the trail, unlike me. Although both of us were panting heavily during the climbs due to the change in elevation, dry air, and hot sun.
The trail and landscape was beautiful. The weather in Vegas was ideal for mid February– sunny and low 70s. We got some great photos and captured many of my falls on my GoPro which has been comical to watch. I’m still bruised and walking weird one week later, but battle wounds are the best.
That’s one thing to note. Ladies, do this tour at the *END* of your trip if you want to look good. I was all beat up and bruised at the pool and got many inquisitive looks. Also, I was limping which meant no heels for the rest of the trip. But overall, Brandon was the best! I’d do this tour again (and even try mountain biking again) because it was a fun and memorable time!

My second time to Vegas and second time hiking in redrock. It’s great to have a guide. You get off the usual track and a real feel for the plant life, geology and Vegas info. Told our guide I had been there and described what I did and he really made the effort to make it something different. Def treat yourself and get a guide, you won’t regret it. (And it’s not a weakness :-)