Harley-Davidsons, Hoover Dam and a Cooler Escape to Mount Charleston
Today was the day we’d been looking forward to — picking up our hired Harley-Davidsons from Las Vegas Harley-Davidson and hitting the open road. There’s something about exploring the USA on two wheels that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own motorcycle adventure movie. Thankfully, our budget didn’t stretch to hiring Hollywood stunt doubles!
Our first destination was the mighty Hoover Dam, so we saddled up and headed out of Las Vegas to check out this impressive feat of engineering. The dam is an absolute monster of a structure, holding back the Colorado River and providing hydroelectric power to the surrounding region.
We decided to take the tour and have a proper look around. It’s an impressive place and well worth visiting if you’re in the area.
There was, however, one little annoyance that put a dent in the experience before we even got started — the parking fees!
Apparently, arriving on a motorcycle doesn’t earn you any special treatment when it comes to parking charges. We were charged the same rate as a car, despite being directed to park in a designated motorcycle area. Paying car prices to park a bike seems a bit rich. At that rate, you’d think they’d at least throw in a complimentary tank of fuel!
After exploring Hoover Dam, we rode back through Las Vegas before heading up to Mount Charleston for lunch. And what a difference a bit of elevation makes!
Las Vegas was sweltering at around 44°C, while Mount Charleston was sitting at a much more comfortable 26°C. That’s an 18-degree difference — practically a change of season without having to leave the state!
The cooler mountain air was a welcome relief from the scorching desert heat. It’s amazing how quickly the landscape and temperatures can change once you leave the city behind. One minute you’re baking in the desert, and the next you’re enjoying a much more pleasant ride through the mountains.
After lunch, it was time to point the Harleys back towards Las Vegas. We returned the bikes and headed back to freshen up before dinner.
It had been a fantastic day exploring the region on two wheels, with an impressive engineering landmark, some great riding and a welcome escape from the Vegas heat.
Today’s lesson: If you’re visiting Las Vegas in summer, Mount Charleston is a brilliant escape from the heat. And if you’re riding a motorcycle to Hoover Dam, be prepared for the possibility of paying car-sized parking fees for a bike-sized parking space!
All in all, a great day on the Harleys — although our wallets might have preferred a little less adventure at the parking meter.
