Lake Mead North Shore Rd s(u)
I always thought of Lake Mead as a
place, where people like to sit on boats and sip
martinis. I didn't think of it as a cycling
paradise. And in the view of many - that's not
really what it is either, but the very least it
is - a really pleasant surprise for road
cyclists.
Granted - there is only one road,
and there are no facilities or signs of
businesses or people along the way. But that can
be a good thing (depending on the people and
businesses). Traffic exists, but it is extremely
light. I was there in the end of October and the
weather couldn't have been more perfect. It
never precipitated. If it is not so perfect, it
makes itself felt in the form of strong wind.
This road is paved as if somebody was planning
to run a cycling time trial over it - much
smoother than state maintained roads, and the
scenery is beyond this world. There are good
shoulders. Even though they have a kind of
rumble strip, you can ride on top of them, and
they feel smoother than 90 percent of all US
paved roads without rumble strips. I have never
seen these kinds of rumble strips on any other
roads. Of course no rumble strips would still be
better. But let's be realistic, this is America.
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1.(00.0m,1230ft)
START-END NORTH:Echo Bay
2.(04.8m,1680ft)profile turns left onto
North Shore Rd
3.(06.7m,1480ft)road crosses Echo Wash
4.(19.4m,2400ft)TOP
5.(24.0m,1690ft)road crosses Callville
Wash
6.(34,2m,1310ft)profile turns left onto
Govt wash Rd
7.(35.6m,1240ft) START-END SOUTH: Govt
Point, end of pavement
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Approaches
From North. The main
impression of the North Shore Rd is that of a
gently, but constantly rolling road. But there is
one definite section that feels like a summit.
After crossing the dry sands of Echo Wash on a
large bridge, the road starts a series of short
and shallow climbs, that afford better and better
vantage points on the Muddy Mountains and their
highly textured greenish rocks to the north. A
series of dips leads across the top and without an
altimeter it's practically impossible to tell the
high point. But there is an easier way. At the
real summit a pull-off leads to a trailhead where
a 10 minute walk can further improve that already
great view of rocks on end.



From South. (described
downwards). The rocks from this perspective seem
to have originated from an architectural designer
with a special sense of form, color and variety.
Geologists may see it differently, but will agree
on the color, form and variety aspect of the
statement. After that each 200ft dip seems to give
way to a 150ft climb. At the next major bottom
another stream of sand gives the impression that
it has been a long times since it rained, but when
it does it pours: Calville Wash.
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cLiCk on image , arrows
, or thumbnails to advance slideshow
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Dayride with this point as highest summit:
COMPLETELY PAVED
(< Valley of
Fire Rd s(u) | Aniversary Mine
s(u) > )
Lake Mead North Shore Rd s(u) x2: mesa a
couple of miles south of Overton <> Lake Mead
North Shore Rd south <> Lake Mead North Shore
Rd s(u) <> turnaround point just before the
jct with West End Wash Rd with short additional out
and backs: 74.5miles with 5010ft of climbing in
6:12hrs (garmin etrex30 r4:19.10.29).
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