show-barkers or the constant roar of air conditioning. With a
13-mile scenic drive, as well as hiking trails, rock climbing,
horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, picnic areas,
nature observing, what you discover at Red Rock is instead a
severe example of serenity. In short, it’s wonderful.
THE HOOKUP
Red E Bike is the only electric bicycle tour operator inside
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. John and
Allison Messmore can’t take credit for what they view as the
best new tour concept. Five years ago a good friend of the
Vegas couple introduced them to the idea at Catalina Seadoo
and Electric Bike Rentals on Catalina Island, California. It was
the overwhelming positive reaction of riders that sparked a
fire within them to find a location back home to introduce
bike tours. They spent countless hours theorizing about what
it would take to get electric bicycles rolling up and down the
Las Vegas strip. On one of their countless visits to Red Rock
Canyon, it hit them like a ton of rocks—they had found the
spot. That began a two-year wrestling bout with the BLM
through the permitting process, but eventually they were
awarded the only electric bike permit within the park.
Their current operation allows up to eight participants
and two tour guides a chance to ride, while the permit will
allow a total of 20 riders and four guides at peak demand. In
order to complete the 13-mile, 1000-foot elevation change,
they had to be very picky about what e-bike was up for the
challenge. After trolling the aisles of the Interbike show that
visits Las Vegas every year, they found Energie Cycles. These
mountain/touring bikes are driven by either a 350- or 500-
watt Bafang motor, but it was Energie’s battery technology
and its capability to download individual cell reports to a
personal laptop that ultimately sold them on the brand. The
idea of being able to diagnose each cell within a battery and
make repairs without having to ditch the whole battery was
an environmental home run.
Red E Bike’s mission is to provide visitors of all ability
levels with one of the best environmentally friendly
adventures off the Las Vegas strip. Red Rock National
Conservation Area is the prefect place to achieve this. The
views upon entering the park are overwhelming, as we were
consumed by the red-and-cream sandstone formations of
RED ROCK CANYON
48 www.electricbikeaction.com
