Wwwwwwell, I decided that I must go to Death Valley. I've been wanting to go for some time now,
but something's always come up that prevented it. I'd have preferred to go with a
small group of folks, but here in N. CA, it's damn near impossible to get anyone to
take a motorcycle ride. A solo run it would be.
I know many of ya'll have been to DV many times, but it was my first time.
I've worn out the roads up north, and was really looking forward to the freshness of the experience.
I'd planned on leaving Sunday morning, but some folks on Saturday's Dr. Rich ride told me
my tires were shit and that I'd be wise to replace them before taking a trip. Well, I believe
everything I'm told, so I opted I'd stay home Sunday, get new skins on Monday,
and leave early Tuesday.
I ended up changing my oil on Sunday, and better organizing what I'd be bringing on my trip.
Time well spent. I'd decided to camp at the park, instead of staying at one of the inns.
I'm justcheap outdoorsy I guess.
So Monday morning at 8, I call Roseville Yamaha,(they open at 8:30), and leave
a message for Zac (forum member Cisco), the service manager there, telling him
I was on my way down and hoped I could get a couple of new PR2's installed whilst I waited.
I arrive at 8:45.
I'm greeted by Zac, and we chat about my trip, and how many pricks are on this forum.
Dean and Aaron greet me as well. They love me here.
Zac asks if they can also take care of my ignition switch recall, explaining that
it will only take about 20 minutes, since Technician Aaron has done a good number of them already
and he's gotten quite proficient at it.
My bike's on the rack in 5 minutes, and just over an hour later, I'm rolling away with
new rubber and an appreciation for a well-run business.
(By the way - Their prices for Michelin PR2's. front-$118.95/rear-$149.95. And of course, no shipping fees.)
Okay. Tuesday morning. Going for a ride!
Late start.
A cold front (from friggin' Canada) had descended upon this part of the state, (seriously),
and my journey started with the temp hovering around 37.
I am NOT a midwestern lunatic,
and for the first hour of my ride down Hwy. 99, I muttered expletives at the weather gods.
I'm gonna die out here.
Gas in Manteca, and it's still not 40! Through Merced, and still only 43. Fresno, 46. Visalia 47!
The world must surely be ending.
Finally, when I stopped in Bakersfield to check for frostbite, it had reached 52. I may survive.
At last, it was time to turn east toward DV.
I had come this way to avoid having to go over any of the much higher (and colder), northern Sierra passes,
and chance dealing with ice and snow, ...and salt ...and winter-related crap.
Hwy. 178 was really a nice route.
This, just out of Bakersfield.
Climbing up toward Lake Isabella.
Really a nice ride. Cool air, very light traffic, excellent pavement. I love being on the road.
Especially the first day of a trip.
Over Walker Pass (5,250'), and by
midday, and I was in the high desert, enjoying the change of scenery.
I reached Hwy. 14 by early afternoon,
and turned north, with the snow-capped mountains now on my left.
Lotsa this.
Shin cam.
14 joins 395 and I continued north to Olancha. A quick fill-up, with Olancha Peak(12,123')
and her sister mountains looking down at me.
(Nice evaporative cooler too.)
Then, I reckon I should turn here. Hwy. 190, which I'll follow all the way to my
campsite at Furnace Creek.
Across some more desert, the Saline Valley, the Panamint Mountains, and finally
down into Death Valley as the sun sank behind me.
Absolutely NO traffic. No wind. A perfect day.
I hurried through Stovepipe Wells and straight to my campground, hoping to get situated before dark.
The site I'd reserved was perfect,
and I set about making myself at home.
A quick run up the street
(Furnace Creek has everything a weary traveler needs - store, cafe, saloon, gas, golf course, post office)
to the store for a bite, a couple of beers, and I was ready to turn in,
as the full moon rose over my little tent.
Tomorrow,----- a look around this beautiful National Park.
I'll pick up the pace and wrap it in another single installment I hope. (After pizza & chocolate with the inmates.)
Thanks for reading this and looking at my pictures.
Comments, anecdotes, suggestions, and insults are welcomed.
but something's always come up that prevented it. I'd have preferred to go with a
small group of folks, but here in N. CA, it's damn near impossible to get anyone to
take a motorcycle ride. A solo run it would be.
I know many of ya'll have been to DV many times, but it was my first time.
I've worn out the roads up north, and was really looking forward to the freshness of the experience.
I'd planned on leaving Sunday morning, but some folks on Saturday's Dr. Rich ride told me
my tires were shit and that I'd be wise to replace them before taking a trip. Well, I believe
everything I'm told, so I opted I'd stay home Sunday, get new skins on Monday,
and leave early Tuesday.
I ended up changing my oil on Sunday, and better organizing what I'd be bringing on my trip.
Time well spent. I'd decided to camp at the park, instead of staying at one of the inns.
I'm just
So Monday morning at 8, I call Roseville Yamaha,(they open at 8:30), and leave
a message for Zac (forum member Cisco), the service manager there, telling him
I was on my way down and hoped I could get a couple of new PR2's installed whilst I waited.
I arrive at 8:45.
I'm greeted by Zac, and we chat about my trip, and how many pricks are on this forum.
Dean and Aaron greet me as well. They love me here.
Zac asks if they can also take care of my ignition switch recall, explaining that
it will only take about 20 minutes, since Technician Aaron has done a good number of them already
and he's gotten quite proficient at it.
My bike's on the rack in 5 minutes, and just over an hour later, I'm rolling away with
new rubber and an appreciation for a well-run business.
(By the way - Their prices for Michelin PR2's. front-$118.95/rear-$149.95. And of course, no shipping fees.)
Okay. Tuesday morning. Going for a ride!
Late start.
A cold front (from friggin' Canada) had descended upon this part of the state, (seriously),
and my journey started with the temp hovering around 37.
I am NOT a midwestern lunatic,
and for the first hour of my ride down Hwy. 99, I muttered expletives at the weather gods.
I'm gonna die out here.
Gas in Manteca, and it's still not 40! Through Merced, and still only 43. Fresno, 46. Visalia 47!
The world must surely be ending.
Finally, when I stopped in Bakersfield to check for frostbite, it had reached 52. I may survive.
At last, it was time to turn east toward DV.
I had come this way to avoid having to go over any of the much higher (and colder), northern Sierra passes,
and chance dealing with ice and snow, ...and salt ...and winter-related crap.
Hwy. 178 was really a nice route.
This, just out of Bakersfield.
Climbing up toward Lake Isabella.
Really a nice ride. Cool air, very light traffic, excellent pavement. I love being on the road.
Especially the first day of a trip.
Over Walker Pass (5,250'), and by
midday, and I was in the high desert, enjoying the change of scenery.
I reached Hwy. 14 by early afternoon,
and turned north, with the snow-capped mountains now on my left.
Lotsa this.
Shin cam.
14 joins 395 and I continued north to Olancha. A quick fill-up, with Olancha Peak(12,123')
and her sister mountains looking down at me.
(Nice evaporative cooler too.)
Then, I reckon I should turn here. Hwy. 190, which I'll follow all the way to my
campsite at Furnace Creek.
Across some more desert, the Saline Valley, the Panamint Mountains, and finally
down into Death Valley as the sun sank behind me.
Absolutely NO traffic. No wind. A perfect day.
I hurried through Stovepipe Wells and straight to my campground, hoping to get situated before dark.
The site I'd reserved was perfect,
and I set about making myself at home.
A quick run up the street
(Furnace Creek has everything a weary traveler needs - store, cafe, saloon, gas, golf course, post office)
to the store for a bite, a couple of beers, and I was ready to turn in,
as the full moon rose over my little tent.
Tomorrow,----- a look around this beautiful National Park.
I'll pick up the pace and wrap it in another single installment I hope. (After pizza & chocolate with the inmates.)
Thanks for reading this and looking at my pictures.
Comments, anecdotes, suggestions, and insults are welcomed.
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