KJ,Did you want to limit this ride to any particular number of riders ?
There is a slim possibility of two more. A Honda ST 1300 and BMW 1150
pair that like to ride the iron butt rides.
WW's FJR
No, I'm not limiting the number, the more the merrier, as long as they're riders!
Here's a slightly more detailed, "proposed" ride plan;
The only thing I like to discuss before we take off for somewhere is; "if" anybody is "peeling off" let's hear about it before we are underway. We should always discuss personal "objectives" before each segment, and at the very least, set up "meet up" points down the road!
Larry, you "are" going to bring that Chatterbox Multi-sport X 2-channel communicator Right? I'm bringing mine! I only get concerned "if" I am leading, all of a sudden I count sheep (11/13?) in my rear view, and I can't make the count. Then, I feel "compelled" to pull over, turn around and go see what happened. I guess it's the sheperd in me!
I'd like to get underway from Beatty (everybody gassed up) on Saturday - Feb. 17, for the "sight seeing" part of the ride in the early AM after sunrise (7:00AM or so), so we can stop in Rhyolite for some early morning picture taking.
Then, down the valley toward Furnace Creek for a late morning breakfast = 9:30/10:00AM?
In the later morning 11:00/11:59 AM, we should begin heading toward Badwater with a tour through Artist's Drive. Great erosive sedimentary deposits, with rainbow colors! Unfortunately however, this is best seen "later" at Sunset! But the ride must go on!
Next stop = Badwater; has rest rooms, Moses parted the Sea here, so a stop is probably mandatory?
The segment out of the Valley over Jubilee Pass (178) to Shoshone is one of my "FAV" parts of a Death Valley ride. Upon arrival in Shoshone we should check out the trading post/museum that Silver Bullett described here earlier, and ask about Mrs. Brown? Gas stop & probably a snack?
Then off to Death Valley Junction (127) and back into the Park (190) for a final vista of the Park at Dante's View. The side road to Dante's View is a great side trip with some nice twisty bits. The reward at Dante's View is a photo op of the entire valley at the top of the Funeral Mountains (6500+ ft.), just above Badwater, 200 ft. below sea level immediately below!
The last segment is to head past Furnace Creek (has gas) for the "barn" at Beatty; =dinner, some tire kicking, and general kibbitzing!
Now, "Bugnator" said in his post that there was no-one manning the north gate. I've NEVER seen anybody at the South gate on 190 at this time of year, but there could always be a surprise? Thanks for the weather report and headz-up on the Leo concentration there! Thanks Bugnator!
Bring your CA. State Park Pass (if you've got one?), camera, snacks and water JIC.
Ride range between gas stops will be around 200 miles.
Let's ALL try to avoid a PERFORMANCE AWARD! I will be carrying a radar detector (Escort Solo in the tank bag with helmet mounted speakers) so, "if" I'm leading and going slow, don't pass me.
Now, cross your fingers so that "El Nino~" doesn't throw something "unexpected" at us. If it's raining 2 days before the 16th like the 14th with a "sour" weather forecast, we may ALL need to "cancel" our reservations! I truly "Hope" this ALL works out? :blink:
