Wendy Rush

First Ever ‘Great Dam Ride’ In Nevada This Weekend

Author Wendy Rush

November 3rd, 2023 12:31 PM

A couple on a bike ride.

If you’re a cycle enthusiast, you can join the fight for lung health at a very unique event this weekend in Nevada.

For 39 years, the American Lung Association has hosted their Cycle For Air bicycling events. Just like their signature Fight For Air climbs, the Cycle For Air events are annual fundraisers that benefit the American Lung Association. And for the first time ever, the event will be in our own Nevada backyard.

It’s the first ever Great Dam Ride. And just like all of the Cycle For Air events, it will take participants along some breathtaking scenic bike rides. Cyclists of all levels are invited. And there will be a course to accommodate every rider, regardless of skill.

Details for the Great Dam Ride event.

The event begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023. It will commence at Hemenway Park in Boulder City, Nevada. Which is right by Bighorn Park on the corner of Boulder City Parkway and Ville Drive. There will be three courses of various levels. The Metric Century loop, a 40-mile loop, and a family-friendly course. So kids will enjoy the ride too! All the trails are loops so friends and family can wait at the starting line to watch their loved ones finish.

There are many ways to participate in the fundraising for the event. There is even a Cycle Your Way option for those who need more flexibility in when and where they ride. The funds raised at the event will support the mission of the American Lung Association. Which is to save lives threatened by lung disease.

After the race, cyclists will celebrate with food, music, and more. Hopefully this will be the first of many Great Dam Ride events in Nevada. If you want to be a part of the first one, get more details here.

-Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ

Wendy Rush is the midday host on one of Vegas's top stations, 96.3 KKLZ. She has been with the station for ten years and comes with a diverse career background. In addition to being a radio host, Wendy has lived the Vegas life as an entertainer. She has been a celebrity impersonator, rock band singer, and improv comedian. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Wendy writes about music, celebrities, mental health and wellness, and life as a Las Vegas local.

Scale The Strat: The Breathtaking Competition Scores Another Great Year

Imagine climbing 108 floors and 1,400 steps to reach the “top of the world,” while also helping to find a cure for lung disease.

Well, that’s what we did at this year’s Scale The Strat! People from across Vegas (and the country) came out to support this amazing event, which aims to raise money for those affected by lung conditions through improving education, research and advocacy.

Scale The Strat, also known as the “Fight For Air Climb” is a signature fundraising event by the American Lung Association that takes place at The STRAT Hotel, Casino and SkyPod.

For many of the participants, the fight to finish the climb is personal.

Many people wore lanyards with pictures of loved ones who had lung disease. This often gave the participants a physical reminder and a spiritual push on why they were climbing.

Along with veteran and newbie climbers who all had their reasons for participating, many frontline heroes took the climb to another level.

Multiple firefighters from across the city climbed The Start in their entire, heavy uniform. But it wasn’t just our city’s frontline workers who graced The Start’s staircase.

Another firefighter flew in from New York, climbed The Strat in full uniform, and carried an American flag with the names of victims from The September 11 attacks. This particular firefighter also worked during 9/11, and carried 300 bodies out from the burning buildings.

This event highlights the battle that many have faced or will. The triumphs of each individual climber reflects the will, grit and drive of our community and country.

We also want to shoutout the respiratory therapists from the College of Southern Nevada, who hyped and gave medical attention to the climbers — if needed.

This event raised over $227,000 to help improve education and find a cure for lung diseases. Thank you to all of the people, frontline heroes and volunteers at this event!

We hope to see you at the next Scale The Strat!

Here are our top 10 moments from this year's Scale The Strat!
10. Scaling the Strat with your friends is a must!
9. Our Very Own KKLZ Crew Gave Encouragement To Climbers As They Started
8. Wendy Rush And Morty
7. Shoutout to this climber, who killed it!
6. Many first responders completed the climb with their heavy uniforms (and oxygen masks)
5. Scale The Strat Was An Event Filled With Fun and Games
4. This firefighter from New York carried an American Flag with the names of 9/11 victims
3. These volunteers made Scale The Strat a Blast
2. Las Vegas Metro even joined in on the fun
1. First responders from across the country came out to support this event