2008 Death Valley Ride

OK, as promised from over here at; Clicky

A couple of us already have reservations in Beatty, tires are mounted, batteries checked, bikes lubed, gear waterproofed.

The list of rider's from CenCal so far is:

Khunajawdge ('05 fjr1300) - Los Osos

AIRHEAD 124 ('07 fjr1300) - Pismo Beach

Rudy Lopez ('03 fjr1300) - Paso Robles

Don Hugh ('07 C14) - Atascadero

Bob Carlson ('05 BMW GS) - Arroyo Grande

Jim (?) Bob's Brother in law (BMW RT 1150) - Bay Area

Mike McNutt ('94 Honda 1100 Shadow) Santa Maria

Tony Vincent ('06 650 V-Strom) Atascadero

Barrie Keats (VFR 800) Paso Robles

Brad Ford (BMW RT 1200 S) Atascadero

Mark (?) (GL1500 Goldwing) Porterville

Dave Strausser ('05 FJR 1300a) Bakersfield

Wes Armstrong (Triumph Sprint Triple) San Luis Obispo

Death Valley ride from the Central Coast

- 15th, 16th, and 17th of February, 2008

Friday, February, 15th, Depart 7:30 AM from the Denny’s Restaurant @ 6910 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA.

The route will take us over Highways 41, 58, 178 over Walker Pass to CA 14 north. Exit back onto 178 east toward Ridgecrest. The meeting place for those in the Central Valley with those coming up from the south, will be the Denny's in Ridgecrest, at the corner of China Lake Blvd. and Hwy 178 (east to Trona) at 12:30 PM on 2/15/07 = Lunch Stop!

After lunch in Ridgecrest we'll continue on 178 through Trona, then over the Towne Pass into Death Valley at Stovepipe Wells. After crossing the Valley on CA 190 until it turns into NV 394, the first night's stop will be in Beatty, Nevada at the Stage Coach Casino. A total day of approx 400 miles.

Stagecoach Casino Motel *; https://underworld.fortunecity.com/genesis/...coach/main.html

Stagecoach Hotel and Casino $56.95 double bed (AAA) 1-800-424-4946. Features include non-smoking rooms, swimming pool & spa, restaurant/casino, 48 hr cancellation.

On Saturday, February 16th, I am considering a ride (?) up NV 95 to the junction of NV 266/ CA 268 to Big Pine and the intersection of CA 395. There are no less than 4 peaks in the vicinity with elevations of up to 7,000 ft. This route is dependant on the conditions over these summits. This region is where the oldest trees alive on the earth are visible in the Bristlecone Pine forest. After reaching Big Pine (lunch?), we will continue South on CA 395 to Lone Pine, where I plan to turn south east on 136 through Panamint Springs, then back to Beatty on CA 190/NV 394. Of course if you have other things to see, places to be (?) etc. you can do it as you see it?

Sunday February 17th, is open for touring the valley or departure for home?

Total trip should be about 1000 miles for us from the Central Coast. This ride will be cancelled if rain is eminent, however it only rains 3 inches (average?) in Death Valley per year. Have had great runs in past years at this time, just hope it's not too cold! Wind, and flash flooding “could” be other environmental enhancements to the ride. Just so I warn you first.

Weather can be unpredictable in Death Valley at this time of year even though I have experienced 80-degree days. I usually don at home an electric heated vest and use heated grips. Suzuki DL 1000 hand protectors, warm waterproof abrasion resistant clothing (riding suit), and good boots both for riding and walking! Heat packs from Big 5 Sporting Goods designed for hunters are a good addition to packed riding gear (I sometimes drop one each into my boots). Layered clothing is also advised. Items to put on checklist are a Hydration system, personal medication, and a first aid kit. Communication = I use a Chatterbox in helmet FRS communicator. Cell phone reception will probably be intermittent?

Another Note: I personally, will be adding a new battery to my now 3-year-old 2005 FJR before this ride. Need to also assess the condition of both front and rear tires before leaving home and replace as needed. Lastly, make sure my brakes, coolant, and other fluids are topped to the median limits. IT IS NOT FUN TO BREAK DOWN IN DEATH VALLEY, AS … IT “CAN BE” EXPENSIVE TO GET BACK OUT FROM THERE.

I am really looking forward to this year’s Death Valley FJR Rider’s Adventure, and I invite anyone who is reading this to join us if they are properly prepared.

Here’s the video from Last year thanks to “dcarver” of Creston;




*There are other places in Beatty like the Phoenix Motel, Motel 6, etc.

I won't be able to attend this year due to work. Last year was a GREAT ride and this year should be epic too. Ya'll enjoy.

This ride sounds like great good fun! :yahoo:

My youngest boy and I will be along on the ride. If I understood the description, we overnight two nights in Beatty and launch excursions from there. We'll plan on coming down on Thursday, staying the night at a Motel 6 or some such, and meeting for breakfast at Denney's. Or maybe it makes more sense for us to meet up in Ridgecrest at lunch... We'll see.

Cheers!

YEA "KJ" you can add two more riders: Donn C14

:yahoo: Bob BMW gs Looking forward to a Fun Time!

NightShine said:

This ride sounds like great good fun! :yahoo:
My youngest boy and I will be along on the ride. If I understood the description, we overnight two nights in Beatty and launch excursions from there. We'll plan on coming down on Thursday, staying the night at a Motel 6 or some such, and meeting for breakfast at Denney's. Or maybe it makes more sense for us to meet up in Ridgecrest at lunch... We'll see.

Cheers!

Click to expand...

Kewel, it will be great to meet you guys! Check out Lost Hills on I 5. If you decide to leave on Thursday, February 14, from Petaluma, and head south on I 5, Lost Hills has gas, food, and accomodation (Motel 6). From Atascadero, us CenCal guys won't be going through Lost Hills on our way east, but it's a short run (30 miles south?) from Los Hills to McKittrick (which we will be riding through), on our way to Bakersfield (CA 58) on Friday, February 15 at around 9:30-10:00AM or so.

OR - We will see you in Ridgecrest at the lunch stop at 12:30 PM on Friday? It's up to you! :yahoo:

Send me a PM if you need more info... best,

I am a tenative yes and have it down on my calander. Are you sure you don't want to go camping? LOL!

Hey Barry!

If you want to camp; I'll do "Intro" at Furnace Ck for you to NorCal BMW & Airheads. PARTY TIME!! :clapping: :yahoo:

Barabus said:

Are you sure you don't want to go camping? LOL!

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No, We only go camping when we have to! ooh:

Anybody know what the recent gasolene prices are in Stovepipe Wells or Furnace Creek, CA?

How about Beatty, NV?

Would like to know, so I can consider my fuel budget for the ride next month.

TIA

Try "gas buddy . com" for price & National Parks are always Hey better check those Tires!!

I may be up for this (if I haven't found a job by then). When and where are you passing thru Bakersfield?

Barabus said:

I am a tenative yes and have it down on my calander. Are you sure you don't want to go camping? LOL!

Click to expand...

Have to change plans. Wife bought tickets with an important client. I don't think my presence enhances the situation, but what do I know.

dave said:

I may be up for this (if I haven't found a job by then). When and where are you passing thru Bakersfield?

Click to expand...

Dave -

We'll probably be going through Bakersfield between 10:30 and 11:00 AM on Friday, February 15. We'll be coming in on 58 but then switching to 178 east.

I will send you a PM (personal message)

Barabus said:

Barabus said:

I am a tenative yes and have it down on my calander. Are you sure you don't want to go camping? LOL!

Click to expand...

Have to change plans. Wife bought tickets with an important client. I don't think my presence enhances the situation, but what do I know.

Click to expand...

Awe, too bad! I was looking forward to using up those fireworks you left at my place in DV. You have a good weekend and say Hi to Jean.

Khunajawdge said:

dave said:

I may be up for this (if I haven't found a job by then). When and where are you passing thru Bakersfield?

Click to expand...

Dave -

We'll probably be going through Bakersfield between 10:30 and 11:00 AM on Friday, February 15. We'll be coming in on 58 but then switching to 178 east.

I will send you a PM (personal message)

Click to expand...

George,

PM returned.

Are we staying in Beatty Saturday night too?

dave said:

Are we staying in Beatty Saturday night too?

Click to expand...

Dave -

Yes, also Saturday night!

OK, it's time to relay to you "my interest" in this year's upcoming Death Valley ride.

I am on a quest for the desert hermit's grave of John Ferge or "Seldom Seen Slim".

Here's a copy of an email I received from an internet acquaintance;

>....For those of you that don't know it -- Ballarat is (was) the home town of Charles Ferge, a desert rat of a prospector. He acquired a nickname because of his habit of disappearing into the hills for months at a time -- and because he was a skinny guy. His cemetery plot is there and well-marked. There's a bit of information about him and about the town in the general store that's operated by a caretaker...

I think that I remember reading that his funeral was given national TV coverage when he departed us -- as one of the last of the famous hermits (hard to be both of those, right?). Anyway, Nancy and I have this special affinity for Ferge in specific and Ballarat in general -- because Ferge's nickname is what we use for the name of our race team, Seldom Seen Slim.

The last couple of miles are unpaved -- but pretty well-maintained gravel, if I remember. I just looked on the map and find that the road that you need to take -- goes from Trona to eventually connect with 190 -- doesn't seem to have a name/number, but it is paved.

There's a signpost and marker at the intersection where you swing off to go to Ballarat -- take a photo or two there, then head down the gravel a couple of miles for Ballarat. In the winter I hear that RVers stay at the rudimentary park in Ballarat and use the location as a base for ATV riding, so there might even be folks there.

Here’s a link about Ballarat:

https://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/ballarat.html

Here’s a link to a song about Seldom Seen Slim;

https://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/photos/Slim.mp3

About Seldom Seen Slim here;

www.seldomseenslim.com

...end.

Sooo, I am kewel with this quest! It's only 400 miles from home, and "then" we will ride a 360 mile ride north of DV before we return home to CenCal! Good stuff, loaded with mystery and intrigue & I'm all over it! :cowboy:

Good bye, and see you down the road!

oh, bOy :blink:

Looks like it's going to be a spectacular weekend for a ride to Death Valley! :dribble:

Here's a 10 day report on the weather in Beatty, NV.

https://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USNV...om=search_10day

Goal = meet the guys who muster in Atascadero, Ride over 58, cross the San Joaquin Valley, pass through Bakersfield, ride up into the southern Sierra over Walker Pass at (6,000 ft.), through Ridgecrest, and into DV... :yahoo:

Now, if I can get all the newly lubed suspension parts re-installed and the new ME 880 mounted on the rear wheel, in the next 6 days (should be a piece of cake!), I am out the door on Friday, morning in the early AM.

Side Bar = The version of the temporary sling, I developed to work on the rear suspension without the center stand is quite the Dealio ("if", I "must" say so myself)!

Ok tomorrow, I'll send a pic!

Memo to self; take lots of pictures over the next week!

cheers,

If daughter goes to her mother's as she promises I may be there. Just talked about this other day with some folks about going to see Scotty's Castle. For us it would be back the same day but... ya never know.

Have a safe trip if everyone.