We were up and out fast. Breakfast at Red Rock vista. Then came the gravy.

I rode 3 Mike Smile, connected to Latenight Trail and completed the ride into Blue Diamond via Landmine Loop. Minimal though it was, it was a shuttle ride and for that I am so very grateful. May it be the first of many.

The ride down 3 Mile Smile was excellent. Frankly one of the best trails I’ve ever ridden. There were plenty of other people riding there too, and I honestly saw one person going DH with a smile!

Late night trail was fun until the rocks made it more of a hike a bike. I’d have been better to skip it and take another route. I should’ve known because I saw no one else on the trail. Like before, Landmine Loop was a treat.

Superb ride. Here are some pictures.

From 3 Mile Smile looking towards Red Rock.

I passes these gals twice.

Some pretty flora.

The riding I’ve been doing with Mme Awesome has provided the opportunity to practice turns a plenty and give me a chance to strengthen my right leg. I was really able to turn well on the ride and I’m looking forward to continued skills and drills. I just love the feeling of a well executed turn.

After food and wash, we stopped at Trader Joe’s for chocolate bars and other essentials, refilled our water bottles and got on the road to Mojave.

Las Vegas… I’d only ever seen it as a place to gamble, drink complementary White Russians or watch Circe du Sole shows. The sprawling, unimaginative housing developments and strange appreciation for shopping malls I find unappealing.

Obviously, as I’ve written, we had a great time. Locals we met were friendly and had plenty of great things to say about their hometown. The hikers and horse riders were respectful and showed no disdain for mountain bikers.

The road into Mojave Preserve took us deep into a mammoth Joshua tree forest. Many are gigantic, reaching 30 feet into the air, whose many branches point every which way. Our campsite is surrounded by Joshua trees; they stretch far into the distance and we can’t stop commenting on their strange beauty. The quiet darkness is a long way from the gigantic nightlight that is Las Vegas.