[headline]PRESS RELEASE[/headline]

Road and off-road cyclists have a new and hidden gem located 35 miles from fabulous Las Vegas! Th River Mountains Loop trail may be North America’s greatest bicycle trail! Constructed through a combined effort of many of Nevada’s resource management agencies, private land owners and citizens, this non-motorized trail will provide cyclists with an outdoor recreation area offering scenic views, plentiful wildlife and the vast beauty only the Mojave Desert can offer. You’ll find paved and concrete segments 12 feet in width, for hikers and road cyclists, and in certain segments a second trail for equestrian use.

In addition, the RMLT provide habitat for the threatened desert tortoise, a species seldom seen as it resides in desert settings and is only active in the warmer months. The sighting of these special species makes the daily sighting of jackrabbits, coyotes, bluebirds, lizards and many other animals go relatively unappreciated. RMLT holds the rugged Peaks of River Mountains along with the pristine, clear, soothing waters of Lake Mead, the Historical Hoover Dam, the breath-taking O’Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge, Liberty Bell Arch, beautiful Boulder City, lake Las Vegas Resort (Gateway to Iron Man 70.3), and the Wetlands Park, all in the palm of her 35 mile loop.

The vistas along the trail are outstanding. The River Mountains form the scenic backdrop from the community of Henderson, Nevada, along the eastern side o the Las Vegas Valley. The maintenance of this view from the alley is valued and has been recognized in local and regional open space planning.

But the views from the trail are also outstanding and include panoramas of the Las Vegas Wash, Lake Mead, Hemenway Valley, Eldorado Valley and perhaps the most spectacular view is the view of the Las Vegas Valley. In the evening, as the sun is setting, the lights of the Las Vegas Valley transition the valley from that of a community to that of a showplace. The evening views from the trail can be forever lasting.

The River Mountains Loop Trail has been professionally designed and constructed. Each segment has been designed by a professional engineering company and constructed following professional construction drawings and specifications. Maintenance of the trail was an important part of the design process so maintenance needs were significantly reduced through trail design. Specific maintenance of the trail lies with each of the primary jurisdictions along the trail just as design and construction was accomplished by the local jurisdictions.

The trail is also an educational path. As it winds through a wide variety of settings, interpretive wayside exhibits provide trail users with an equally wide variety of educational opportunities. The interpretive plan for the trail identified 18 interpreted themes including; ancient peoples, Old Spanish Trail, Historic Railroad, Bighorn Sheep, Flood Control, and Mining & Geology of the River Mountains. The majority of the wayside exhibits are in fabrication and will be installed in the Spring of 2010. Informational kiosks have been installed at six existing trailheads and additional trailheads are under development.

In addition to the interpretive signing on the trail, there are concrete trail monuments located every half mile to orient trail users to their location on the trail. Each monument includes the location with the mile market designation to keep trail users oriented. Detailed maps and trail brochures have been produced to support use on the trail. There are professionally prepared aerial photographs of the area with the trail overlaid on the photo with the mile markets highlighted to provide additional support for trail users. The outreach effort on behalf of the managers of the trail has been extensive.

River Mountains Loop trail Bike Shop is located on the RMLT, inside Laker Plaza, a full service convenience store. Located one mile from the Hilton and Westin Hotels inside of the Lake Las Vegas development. RMLT Bike Shop offers bicycle sales/rentals, repairs/service, free parking (park & ride), cycling accessories and drinks and snacks for your ride. There are located at 2310 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, NV 89015. For additional information, call 702-564-3058.