The wheels of progress

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 | midnight

Joel Rice was in Bootleg Canyon for the third consecutive year to participate in Interbike International Expo's Outdoor Demo, Sept. 22 and 23.

Rice, from Virginia Beach, Va., says coming to Boulder City for the expo is one of the highlights of his year. He's not the only one.

"It's such a different place than back in Virginia," he said. "I love coming out here and riding on a different terrain and seeing what all these new products can do."

Rice is one of thousands of bike retailers and manufacturers who came to Southern Nevada for Interbike. The demo allows retailers a chance to try out new bicycles and accessories during the event's first two days in Boulder City.

The rest of the expo is at the Sands Expo and Convention Center and features seminars and displays of new products.

Despite temperatures in the high 90s, a couple thousand people came to the demo. Approximately 100 vendors were on hand in Bootleg Canyon to show off the latest in bicycles, parts, energy drinks and other accessories.

Mike Young came with several of his co-workers from their bike shop in Redmond, Wash..

"This gives us a chance to see what's new and test it out to see if it's something we want to stock in our store," Young said.

Young said he and his co-workers each took some time to ride the trails in the canyon.

"The trails are really great. We're used to having trees everywhere, but here you can see the trail and know what's coming up. We're having fun," Young said. This was the fourth year for the demo in Bootleg Canyon and a recently signed contract between Interbike and the Sands will keep the demo and Interbike in Southern Nevada through 2012.

Interbike Show Director Andy Thompkins said between 12,000 to 15,000 attended the expo, with approximately 3,000 to 5,000 traveling to Bootleg Canyon.

"We got a lot of retailers who come out just for the Outdoor Demo," he said. "This is their chance to actually get on the trails with these new bikes and try them out. That's what bicyclists love to do — get out and ride."

Neil Kesterson, owner of B.C. Adventure Bicycles, 1323 Arizona St., said the biggest benefit of having the demo nearby is the business it brings to town.

"These people aren't coming in to buy bikes here or anything, but they do come in to shop and they've got to eat somewhere," he said.

Rice said the one event he was looking forward to was a tour of Lake Mead on the morning of Sept. 23. It was a 24-mile bike ride overlooking Lake Mead.

"I've heard good things about the trip, and I'm excited to be able to ride through this area and get a better look at it," Rice said. "I'm already looking forward to next year."

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 948-2074 or [email protected].