Interviewing for jobs in each city. Have visited each multiple times. Which is the better place to train?
Thanks!
P.S. Moving from Denver.
Las Vegas is ok for training. There is not a lot of variety and some crazy drivers. However, we are only a three hour drive away from Utah (Zion) and four hours away from San Diego. Both areas are good cycling spots and access to races. I think in both areas you would have to deal with the same amount of traffic. So, negating he traffic factor, I would pick Vegas due to the fact that there is good proximity to some excellent riding and races.
Miami = Humid, sea level, average July high is 91ºF
Lost Wages = Dry, 2000’ above sea level, average July high is 104ºF
Verdict: move to Boulder, or San Diego.
Vegas is hotter in the summer and colder in the winter than Miami.
I love training in Vegas and even when the temp reaches 110 during the day training is not out of the question. You just have to prepare properly. I have started runs when the temp was 113, and finished bike ride at 112 and been fine.
There is plenty of decent bike riding in vegas, and I don’t know if the traffic is any worse here than other larger cities. Once you get a feel for the area it’s possible to have pretty long rides that stay mostly in residential areas which limit the 60 mph a-hole brush backs. The streets are very wide here but that is offset by the fact that most speed limits are 45 mph on the city streets.
I find the summerlin area better for bike riding, but the henderson multi-gen is by far my favorite pool. 50m open air all year, almost never have to share a lane 6-7am.
I know when i moved here i didn’t realize how many hills there were here, and i think many people forget that Vegas is surrounded by mountains. I often ride from my house around Red Rock canyon and the ride has 1900 ft of altitude change.
Vegas is at 2000 ft so it would be harder to do proper altitude training here (train at sea level, sleep at altitude).
Of the two, I would absolutely choose Vegas. Excellent terrain available right outside the strip, lots of roads, tons of trails in the canyons, people will come visit you all year round. No stifling humidity. Miami is great for a couple of days.
Miami has hurricanes, that’s enough to keep me away…
I think what would drive me crazy living anywhere in south Florida is the lack of hills - it really is flat. Las Vegas would not be a top pick of mine either - for many reasons. However, just outside the city, from what I can tell, the riding options are good and varied.
I’ve not actually lived in both places, but I’ve been close. I’ve lived in Tampa & St Augustine, FL and now live in Sedona, AZ.
I’d not move back to Florida. Far too many people, humidity sucks, and 98 in Florida feels like 110 in Arizona.
I love training at altitude, though speed work ain’t easy : ( Thin air takes its toll quickly. Air here is thin and crisp, air in Florida is thick and sh*tty.
The race scene in Florida is darn nice. I have overnight stays at ALL my races here, save one in Flagstaff.
My wife and I both would NOT move back to Florida.
Although my “handle” may indicate training knowledge of Vegas, it only indicates approximate geographic location. I live in Henderson and as such am an “east sider”. I have never ridden up in Summerlin and haven’t been to Red Rock in maybe 9 years. Too much traffic in Vegas for any serious riding.
But in the “East”, that is where the flat out world-class training ground is. Around Lake Mead.
I didn’t coin the phrase. This past August, a friend came down from Flagstaff to race and also do some training the day after around Lake Mead. Did a 40 mile lake ride plus 30 minutes of open water with some chop half way through the ride. Now I’m pretty decent but this guy probably ranks top 1% of my AG. His goal is qualifying and competing at the Olympic World Championship. He has trained with world-class athletes who use Flagstaff as a high altitude training base. Runners and triathletes, like Sinballe and Whitfield.
After this “recovery session”, he turned and told me and a training buddy, “you guys have world-class training ground here.” His tune-up went well because three weeks later up in Portland in a tough field he qualified for the World’s.
The only thing Miami has going for itself is ocean swimming. But apart from that, Miami isn’t even close.
We live in SW Florida, but spent 3 months living in Miami a few years ago. I have never even been to Vegas and I vote Vegas, if that tells you anything about my opinion of Miami.
I have not been to Vegas, but after spending 8 months working in Northern Nevada, I can tell you that Nevada is by far the worst state in the union. If I ever meet a person named Nevada I will punch them in the eye.
Spent a lot of time in both, but not for racing, but for fun, and I would say that if I lived in either, I would proabably die pretty fast.
vegas.
I lived in miami. It’s very land-locked. people are rude. culture is very foreign. traffic is horrendous.
at least in vegas, you are close to a lot of other cool, outdoorsy places. i feel like vegas has more options than miami.
I would say enjoy the trip to both locations and don’t go to either, they are both terrible places.
If I had to choose I would go to vegas though. There might actually be a few sane people there if you get out of the city.
From Detroit area, moved to Miami 15 years ago, want to move back to Detroit area. Seriously. Coming from Denver you will hate a lot about Miami, including the people, the landscape, the traffic. Hot women = only plus. Get a fake Rolex, lease a BMW, and talk about how great you are and you may make some “friends.” It’s a clown show.
From Detroit area, moved to Miami 15 years ago, want to move back to Detroit area. Seriously. Coming from Denver you will hate a lot about Miami, including the people, the landscape, the traffic. Hot women = only plus. Get a fake Rolex, lease a BMW, and talk about how great you are and you may make some “friends.” It’s a clown show.
Wow! I’m from Michigan and my people in Detroit are hurting right now. Quite a slam on Miami.
Thanks all for the feedback. So far I don’t see a single vote for Miami. No one from So Fla to represent?
Just got back from a week in Miami. That place sucks balls. Terrible traffic, nearly everyone I had contact with was rude, and you have to have copious amounts of body hair, cheap jewelry and an accent to fit in. I think you would have to have a death wish to even think of riding your bike in any roadway in the city. My vote is for Vegas and keep in mind I am basing my opinion on seven days in that hell hole.
I went from Detroit → Fort Lauderdale → San Diego
Michigan and Florida don’t even come close to the same galaxy as San Diego.
I could only ride my bike around the airport service drive in FL without asking for a death warrant, though the new yorkers and bus drivers still tried to run me down as much as possible.
You can train year round either location once heat acclimatized, Vegas has better terrain by far and it’s easier to get out of the city!!
"Thanks all for the feedback. So far I don’t see a single vote for Miami. No one from So Fla to represent? "
Yeah, so I won’t even argue with anything said about Miami so far. Year round training and open water swimming – that’s about all we got going on here. We have very few cycling routes around here and you’re never safe even on the well-traveled routes, with the way people drive - just ask austin79. 
That said, I’ve never been to Vegas, but I vote Vegas!