In the introductory post on this blog, I mentioned my disdain for social media. I should clarify briefly, since I am involved in a couple of motorcycle forums. A few members of one of these forums get together annually and do a bit of riding around Death Valley Nat’l Park. In February.
“But wait - isn’t it cold there in the winter?”
What?! Meet up with a big bunch of strangers to go riding? Are you kidding me??
Wow - what a blast! Someone else may go “Meh!”, but I’ll briefly tell the story and share some photos.
Our ride there was nearly uneventful. I write that only because what weather we hit was supposed to be about two to four hours later than it was. The last 70 miles was much longer than it should have been. We got drenched with a cold rain/sleet mixture. The highway north of Las Vegas has no overpasses or anyplace else to hide...no wait, a single overpass that goes to a place that a civilian really shouldn't be.
Pausing the ride for a bit of time, trying to dry off, but it was cold. The solution was to get to our motel and get dry.
We eventually arrived, wet, cold (very cold) tired and hungry, and we only knew some of these people simply by communicating with them thru a motorcycle forum.
The next morning…(Happy Valentines Day)
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| The riders begin to assemble. Beatty, NV |
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| A Suggestion? Hwy 374 near Daylight Pass Rd., DVNP |
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| Daylight Pass Rd., DVNP, California |
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| A brief respite - awaiting stragglers, and confirming everyone knows where to go. |
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| Beatty Rd, Death Valley Nat'l Park, California |
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| Stunning scenery along the road! |
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| I'm simply playing "Follow The Leader" |
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| The final 15% grade up to Dante's Peak - Death Valley Nat'l Park, California |
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| The view from a mile above the Death Valley floor from Dante's Peak |
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| The view from a mile above the Death Valley floor from Dante's Peak |
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| The bikes in the parking lot - Dante's View |
These guys are good riders. What I didn’t fully recognize is that many of these riders are from Southern California, and have been riding together for a long time. Of course, being the new rider, my place was in the back – or near the back.
The next day (Sunday), the group was going to take on another road – at this point, simply called “the road”. My passenger is just not feeling it, especially since we’ve been told there’s additional elevation, which translates into ‘cold’.
We’re not doing cold, we’re headed home.
Another ride next year?
Perhaps…
20180209
The next day (Sunday), the group was going to take on another road – at this point, simply called “the road”. My passenger is just not feeling it, especially since we’ve been told there’s additional elevation, which translates into ‘cold’.
We’re not doing cold, we’re headed home.
Another ride next year?
Perhaps…
20180209
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