by Denise Rosch ▪
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Take a drive through Red Rock Canyon and you never know what you’ll see or hear. Including a performance by DJ and music producer John Sander, and shooting content for social media.
“I come up with some transitions and put them on remixes and blend them together,” he explains, while adjusting equipment he’s set up on the side of the road.
It’s a backdrop for his videos that’s hard to match.
“It’s really cool to see all the people riding their bikes,” says Sander.
Red Rock Canyon is known for cycling, both locally and worldwide.
This is why a Tour de France event through the canyon not only makes sense, it’s happening.
“Everyone in sports wants a piece of Las Vegas,” says Alan Snel, publisher of LVSportsBiz.com. “I think this is a neat event for Las Vegas to really put a spotlight on bicycling.”
The two-day mini-tour called L’Etape Las Vegas by Tour de France is set for May 13 & 14 of next year.
A similar event was just held in San Antonio, Texas in April.
Expect three routes, 25, 50, and 75-mile options.
And it’s open to everyone, amateur to pro.
“This is a great opportunity to highlight events off the Strip,” says Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones. “Outdoor recreational tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry in Southern Nevada. It supports more than 59-thousand jobs.”
Bringing in riders like Andrew West from Virginia.
“The roads here, you have nice shoulders, it’s safe,” he says. “The riding is beautiful. I’m from the east coast and I travel out here just to take advantage of the nice weather.”
“The secret is out, it (Red Rock Canyon) is already a popular attraction,” adds Snel.
He knows with the Tour de France coming to town, interest in Red Rock Canyon will only grow. The canyon has something for everyone.
“I’m from Philadelphia so I don’t experience a lot of scenery like this,” says Sander.