Author Topic: Advice please: ride from Cincinnati to Death Valley NP (Read 10766 times)

Trialsman · « **Reply #30 on:** March 13, 2018, 02:06:20 PM »

While at the Shot Show in Vegas two years ago January three of us rented some Tigers (no Stelvios to rent). Don't miss the road through Titus Canyon Narrows in the northern part of Death Valley. It is a one way from Nev to CA and is a spectacular narrow, winding canyon. You will then ride the length of Death Valley south past the Borax mine and Furnace Creek.

calfruit · « **Reply #31 on:** March 13, 2018, 02:23:11 PM »

I ride to DV each January with a group of friends. January 2018 was the 25th trip. We have tried staying every where. Beatty, Shonsone,Panimint Springs,Furance Creek and Stovepipe Wells. Our default stay is Stovepipe Wells. Yes it is expensive, $210 for the deluxe rooms this year. However it is clean, the food is acceptable and the location is hard to beat. DV is huge, on a two night trip we average 250 to 350 miles in the park, depending on the route for the weekend. Staying outside the park can easily add another 100 miles.

Go and enjoy

Tom · « **Reply #32 on:** March 13, 2018, 02:29:33 PM »

Quote from: blackbuell on March 13, 2018, 01:34:30 PM

ITSec,

Thanks for the info. Would Beatty, Nevada be a more reasonable homebase? I haven't looked into lodging there yet; will later today.

Jon

Beatty would be a good choice. It's a short ride into the valley and there are motels there at reasonable rates. Quick access into and out of the area. Public roads going in and out are taken cared of.

blackbuell · « **Reply #33 on:** March 13, 2018, 05:38:01 PM »

Checked into the possibility of making Beatty, Nevada my home base while touring in DVNP; is much closer to key features of the Park than is Shoshone, CA; also has many inexpensive motels and a few RV parks that have tent camping. Thanks for the info Tom and ITSec.

Though I had planned to tent camp on the entire trip, I might stay in motels while in Beatty; not much more expensive than camping. Getting psyched for the trip; just need to prep the bike and hope for good weather in mid-April. Need to get rid of the canister and the funky stock fuel filter; otherwise, I think the bike is ready to go: new tires, new battery, all new fluids, startus interrruptus fix, valve clearances set.

Will take along an extra quart of oil, tire repair kit and pump, plenty of tools, jump starter.

Entire trip will likely be 5,500 miles; tires should be OK (barely true of rear, given what I had experienced with my other Norge). Haven't ridden the bike long enough to know if just one quart of oil will be sufficient.

Jon

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #34 on:** March 13, 2018, 05:53:06 PM »

Have a great trip, Jon.. and remember we need pitchers..

ITSec · « **Reply #35 on:** March 13, 2018, 06:48:05 PM »

Quote from: blackbuell on March 13, 2018, 01:34:30 PM

ITSec,

Thanks for the info. Would Beatty, Nevada be a more reasonable homebase? I haven't looked into lodging there yet; will later today.

Jon

Beatty is about 40 miles away from Furnace Creek versus the 60+ to Shoshone. However, Beatty is closer to most of the attractions of the area, has more accommodation and eating choices, etc. I'd still do a loop down to Shoshone if time allows, as that southern part of the valley can be interesting.

Beatty is well located for a stop at Rhyolite (a weird ghost town just outside the park), Titus Canyon Road (if you can handle some dirt), the Keane Wonder Mine, Furnace Creek, Zabriskie Point, Artist Drive, Stovepipe Wells, and the Ubehebe Crater, as well as Badwater (on the south road) and Dante's View (closed now, but may be open by the time you get here). Scottie's Castle and the road into the park that passes next to it will remain closed for a few more years due to catastrophic flooding a few years ago. The road out past Panamint Springs is a lot of curves and somewhat scenic as well. Most dirt roads require a dual sport or high-clearance 4WD, though some can be done with a normal bike or car (Titus Canyon, unless eroded - check w park staff).

Plan your gas stops carefully; fuel is available at Beatty, Shoshone, Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs (though these last two are sometimes closed).

Tom · « **Reply #36 on:** March 13, 2018, 06:54:07 PM »

:1:

Green1000S · « **Reply #37 on:** March 13, 2018, 07:56:27 PM »

I’ll be heading through LV and Death Balley too, with Stelvio, Stornello and vintage BMW.
First week of June, should be nice and toasty. Does not bother me too much, since I lived in TX before. My brother might think differently...
Does anyone know if Titus Canyon Road is passable with Stelvio?

nashopolis · « **Reply #38 on:** March 13, 2018, 08:19:59 PM »

Interesting topic I'm hoping to travel from Tennessee to California the south way in early May.
If I come up with any good info I'll post it here.

BlueGoose · « **Reply #39 on:** March 14, 2018, 12:09:34 AM »

Does anyone know if Titus Canyon Road is passable with Stelvio?

Yes, I rode out from Florida last year in mid May, stayed in Beatty for a few days while I rode the area.
Titus Canyon was a great ride and very doable on the stelvio. Temps were only in the 50s to 70s while I
was there, loved riding that area. Pics are Titus Canyon Road. Mike

ITSec · « **Reply #40 on:** March 14, 2018, 12:45:10 AM »

Quote from: Green1000S on March 13, 2018, 07:56:27 PM

I�ll be heading through LV and Death Balley too, with Stelvio, Stornello and vintage BMW.
First week of June, should be nice and toasty. Does not bother me too much, since I lived in TX before. My brother might think differently...
Does anyone know if Titus Canyon Road is passable with Stelvio?

I have done the Titus Canyon Road (all, including one-way part) in a Subaru Baja Turbo (at speed, good thing no one was watching!). Reliving my rally competition days...

I would do it any time on my Stelvio. I might even do it on my Norge, but I'd go slower and pick my way. Be reasonable, use caution, and remember you're there to see stuff - not run into it.

Lee Davis · « **Reply #41 on:** March 14, 2018, 04:23:27 AM »

Sounds like a good plan... Highway 54 to the west. I am not one of the pussies that will tell you when to stop and go, for I have driven and ridden the roads from Buffalo to Las Cruces in every month of the year. Been everywhere, except Death Valley. Can I come along? I ride a Stelvio (among others), live in Belen (Albuquerque), New Mexico, and love to tent camp. I am a good traveling companion and very easy going (68, divorced, motorcycle restorer). Been in that area of California many times... just never headed specifically to Death Valley... I guess I should do that. Touch base, and I am ready on the spur of the moment.... copy@radarcarve.com Lee Davis PS, I think you should take the Norge. But, if you want to fly and ride, I can set you up with a new V9 or Stelvio, on my tab. This offer extends to anyone who would want to join...

blackbuell · « **Reply #42 on:** March 14, 2018, 07:50:54 AM »

Lee,

I might take you up on the deal, but not the fly and ride part. I had planned to ride through Albuquerque on about April 20. Maybe I can head south to Belen and meet up with you. BTW, I lived in Albuquerque and Tijeras Canyon for many years. After I moved to KY, I returned to central/southwest NM every summer to do research in the National Forests; still consider NM my home; will likely move back there after my wife retires.

It is still possible that I save this trip for another year (it's on my bucket list), and head for CO/UT/WY in May instead.

I'll stay in touch,

Jon

Trialsman · « **Reply #43 on:** March 14, 2018, 09:35:27 AM »

Titus canyon would be perfect for the Stelvio. I would have preferred being on it rather than the Tiger I had that day.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Green1000S · « **Reply #44 on:** March 14, 2018, 09:51:04 AM »

Thanks guys, Titus Canyon is on my list then...👍

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #45 on:** March 14, 2018, 10:05:23 AM »

^^^^^ I love this stuff..

pehayes · « **Reply #46 on:** March 14, 2018, 11:54:23 AM »

Don't stress so much on the heat. The numbers are scary, but it is very dry and thus not really as much impact on your body. I'd be happier at 115F in Death Valley than at 95F with 100% humidity in Louisiana. I've crossed the valley at 121F myself. Yeah, it was hot, but you can compensate. I took an Italian club of vintage Falcone riders there in August 2014 for two days. 118F at Furnace Creek when we arrived. Old guys. They did fine following my coaching about hydration. Stop to rest often. Keep all of your skin covered (ever see a camel rider with exposed skin?). Soak your inside clothing and your hair with water every time you stop. Use a full-face helmet. DRINK much and often. Don't wait until you are thirsty or it is too late. Force yourself to take a quart or more every hour. Watch the color of urine, nice, pale, yellow.

The analogy I like to give foreigners is to imagine you are here at the cusp of freezing. What would you see? Clouds of condensed water vapor with every exhale. Now fast forward to a nice 115F day. That exact same amount of water vapor is being exhaled with every breath. You just can't see it. That is a LOT of moisture loss over time. Now add the insensate evaporation of sweat into extreme low humidity air. You will drink A LOT. Get to the end of the day and realize you haven't peed all day and still don't have to. NOT a good sign. Regardless of how much you thought you were taking in, you are at a net loss for water in your body. Drink enough so that you continue to urinate throughout the day. Keep fully hydrated and your body will manage the heat control just fine.

Depending on how much time you plan inside the valley, BadWater, Dante's View, and Ubehebe Crater top my list. Blah on Scotty's Castle.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

blackbuell · « **Reply #47 on:** March 14, 2018, 12:54:02 PM »

pehayes,

good advice. Not to worry though, I am a physiologist by trade (at least I was before retirement). My research area was desert animal physiological ecology; have spent most of my summers conducting research in arid-land environments, including in southern AZ, much of NM, and Big Bend NP in Texas. Have worked many hours at temps over 110 degrees. I love deserts!

Will definitely check out BadWater, Dante's View, and Ubehebe Crater. Thanks for the tip.

Jon

Tom · « **Reply #48 on:** March 14, 2018, 08:42:48 PM »

:1: on Pat's hydration advice.

Trialsman · « **Reply #49 on:** March 15, 2018, 09:57:18 AM »

Another trick that I have used is to fill your Camelback with ice and put it on UNDER your jacket. Run the feed tube along your neck and carotid artery. It is amazing how cool it keeps you, until the ice melts. Hiking out of the Grand Canyon on Bright Angel trail we would soak ourselves (shirt, bandanna, and hat) every chance we got. Within ten to fifteen minutes we were dry again but it acts as a radiator and takes you body heat with it during the evaporation change of state.

Scud · « **Reply #50 on:** March 19, 2018, 08:58:09 AM »

I'm getting motivated for a visit to Death Valley. I'll be watching to see if this trip materializes and if I my calendar cooperates. Otherwise, I hope to find my way out there before summer.

blackbuell · « **Reply #51 on:** March 19, 2018, 09:58:49 AM »

Quote from: Scud on March 19, 2018, 08:58:09 AM

I'm getting motivated for a visit to Death Valley. I'll be watching to see if this trip materializes and if I my calendar cooperates. Otherwise, I hope to find my way out there before summer.

So far it looks like it will happen; just need a decent weather window; particularly concerned about the section between central NM and central AZ along I-40 due to high elevation and risk of springtime snow storms. My goal is to arrive in Beatty, Nevada on April 21 or 22. I'll post when I head out there or if there is a change in plans.

Jon

Scud · « **Reply #52 on:** March 19, 2018, 10:03:26 AM »

Oh... should've looked at earlier posts. I'm gonna be out of the country those days.

Still looking forward to reading about your trip though.

blackbuell · « **Reply #53 on:** April 14, 2018, 11:53:16 AM »

All packed and ready to go. Looks like I will have a decent weather-window starting this Tuesday or Wednesday. Will wait until Monday to decide exactly when to head out. Hope to make it in 4 days (2050 miles), but if the long days in the saddle become uncomfortable, I'll try it in 5 days.

Planned stops (4 days): Pomme de Terre State Park in Pittsburg, Missouri; Liberal, Kansas; Holbrook, AZ; Beatty, Nevada

Planned stops (5 days): Pomme de Terre State Park in Pittsburg, Missouri; Greensburg, Kansas; Santa Rosa, New Mexico; Holbrook, AZ; Beatty, Nevada

Will tent camp in transit, but stay in a motel in Beatty for 3 days; spend two days exploring the National Park.

On way home will stop in Surprise, AZ to visit my sister. From there will head to Sedona, and then?

Final mods to the Norge: canisterectomy, Cadre replaced half-plastic fuel filter (was only slightly swollen) and added ground to ECU. Tires have about 1,000 miles on them; hope the rear holds up over the entire 5-6,000 mile trip.

If anybody wants to join me along the way, send me a PM.

Jon

twowings · « **Reply #54 on:** April 14, 2018, 01:54:38 PM »

Good weather and good riding! Take lots of pics and post 'em...

Socalrob · « **Reply #55 on:** April 15, 2018, 03:54:21 AM »

Quote from: blackbuell on December 31, 2016, 06:45:58 AM

Thanks for the info Mike

Early October looks pretty good; so does early late April/early May. This trip might be possible after all!

Jon

October/November and April/May are outstanding. I would swing south to I-10 and then ride to CA and go up 395, or head up from I-10 to Vegas and go in the back way to DV. There is a campground and little motel with diner in Panamint Springs which is a great base for DV and keeps costs down.

blu guzz · « **Reply #56 on:** April 15, 2018, 06:31:05 AM »

Blackbuell:

Keep the rubber side down. Wish I could go with you, but will have to ride it vicariously through your story. I look forward to hearing about it when you return.

Tom

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Author Topic: Advice please: ride from Cincinnati to Death Valley NP (Read 10766 times)

twowings