Benefit bike event planned

Think of it as a giant outdoor spinning class for charity.

Hundreds of cyclists will take to valley roads for the Regional Transportation Commission's Viva Bike Vegas event on Saturday.

Cyclists will be take part in rides of five, 25, 50 and 118 miles.

Authorities are asking motorists to slow down, take extra care and share the road with the cyclists.

The 118-mile ride will leave the RTC's offices on Grand Central Parkway and travel east on Washington Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard, through Lake Mead National Park and Boulder City, then return downtown via Boulder Highway.

All other cyclists will leave the RTC's offices throughout the day and ride west on Alta Drive to Desert Foothills Drive and travel south on both Fort Apache Road and on state Route 159 through Red Rock and return via Alta.

The five-mile family ride is expected to have an abundance of children participating. That route will mainly follow Alta, between Campbell Drive and Grand Central.

The Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Highway Patrol and the National Park Service will provide traffic control.

Proceeds from Viva Bike Vegas will benefit the Las Vegas chapter of the After-School All-Stars, which provides youth with sports, educational, cultural, and community enrichment programs.

Visit www.rtcsouthernnevada.com to learn more about the event.