SnowAviation

I did this solo in 2011 on my KLR650, I didn't do any "Hard Ways" and it still kicked my arse. F'n roll chart was 14 feet long (They do GPS uploads but mine was too old) it was my first time using a roll chart, and I only got lost once. Not bad. I grunted, cursed, pushed, rode hard, rode easy, stopped a few times to rest, had lunch at about the 1/2 way point, and about 9 hours after I stared, I was sipping suds back at the convention center and walking kinda funny. I am glad to hear they have added an Adventure Bike route, it will open the fun to many more riders and keep the participation up. It's definitely a fun event, with great organizers, that will give you a workout. Especially on a big bike. Have fun, cause I can't make it

Exactly what I was thinking.

Did you meet the owner? He's quite a character. I went up there a couple of years ago with a Yamaha FJR group that I belong to, the owner gave us a tour and talked about some of the bikes. He then pulled out one of his old looking Ducatis and went riding with us. Don't know how old it was but it looked and sounded old. Great little winery that any motorcycle enthusiast would enjoy.

Major douchebag.

It's almost monkey time...

...and me.

Mike Colishaw has moved his shop and is having an open house and a Mini-Tech day for KLR650 bikes tomorrow May 25th, details on his site. http://eaglemike.com/

Careful what filter you use, No-Toil delamimated the seams on my UNI and another guy had this happen. I've read several reports of No-Toil not behaving well with non-NoToil filters. However, it seems to work great with No-Toil filters.

There is a "Rag Tag" group of Dual Sport riders that make the yearly pilgrammage to Death Valley. This year we are planning to arrive whenever we feel like it soemtime between January 30th – February 4th at the Furnace Creek Campground. This is an "un-rally" since the park service does not look kindly on organized group rides. (Actually they don't mind them but the group organizer must meet all kinds of requirments that we won't wish to meet (Pay For - Permits, Insurance, etc...) We are just a bunch of friends who decided to go the same weekend. IF you don't want to camp then you can stay at the Furnace Creek Ranch or the Inn. Shower and pool access for campers is $5 per day at the Ranch – which is an easy walk from the campground. There are several of the SD-Dual Sport crowd already planning to attend, also some from the ADV and the KLR650.net sites too. There is a thread on the ride at KLR650.net HERE So, that means no t-shirts, no food service, no raffle, no stickers, no sponsored anything. You get to make your own reservations and be responsible for your own rides, etc. That doesn't mean this weekend is not worth coming to, in fact, in my opinion it's some of the best adventure riding in the US! There will be quite a few people there who are familiar with riding in the park, so buddy up and if they tell you "oh yeah, the hard part of the trail is over" - don't believe them! Bring good maps! Here is one: http://www.amazon.com/Death-Valley-N...ath+valley+map Broken http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=death+valley+maps&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4383926415&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=550605&hvnetw=g&hvrand=282772787778666515&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_5zg4fnbl23_b It's probably one of these maps... Death Valley is best for big bikes. Long gas range is required for many rides. Small KTM’s, etc, are fine but there is no single track here and again, make sure you have enough gas! There are pavement sections of over 50 miles just to get to some trails. Campground reservations here: http://www.recreation.gov If the ranger asks you at check in if you are with the Adventure riders or KLR650.net, tell them "no way dude, I just stumbled into here by accident! is there a starbucks nearby?" Also, please respect all park rules (mostly, don't speed or go the wrong way in the campground or near the visitor center, also don't ride up on the curb at the visitor center, don't ask me how I know!). The park service are pretty nice guys and gals but please respect that we are in a National Park. KLR riders are a pretty calm bunch but I just have to say it anyway. Remember, this is not a rally, or event of any kind. If you are asked by a park service employee if you are with any group, the honest answer is that you are NOT. Morning report (roads, weather): http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf Furnace Creek Wx: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...ce+creek%2C+ca Other info: http://www.maturango.org/janetmuseum...athValley.html --------------------------------------------

It runs the gamut, I've been on half day rides or rides that end up in Beatty for lunch. My last trip we took a loop that left in the morning and we didn't get back till after sunset and didn't see civilization the whole time. Be Prepared.

Getting closer....

Links are Tricky http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/3446027467.html

Yeah, I saw that some time ago. Pretty cool story.

I wanted a Norton for as long at I can remember (since 1975) maybe it's time...

Fixed...sorta. It's got to be one of these maps http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=death+valley+maps&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4383926415&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=550605&hvnetw=g&hvrand=282772787778666515&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_5zg4fnbl23_b I got the original link from someone else and don't recall which actual map he recommends.

The core days are Jan 30 - Feb 4 some will arrive sooner and some will leave later, like bluefin2na and his 7 day adventure

From the KLR650 forum I have gleaned that sites: 39 65 66 70 72 73 74 75 76 106 108 110 111 113 114 Will be occupied by non-participants in the festivities for the non-event. Those 15 sites represent about 25 folks, not a bad start. There are likely to be more considering some don't post up their site #'s. This is what the southern section of the campgroud reservations look like now. Brown is reserved and blue is available. http://www.Recreation.gov

"Learned" Heh.

Yes. I've often thought of doing just that as we go to some pretty cool locations, I don't have a great answer on how to carry a Radian on a Dual Sport bike (Off road)...safely. However, it's a fantastic idea and I just might bring mine to Death Valley at Death Valley Days.

Good times....Heh.

Question: My little 2m Icom is on its last legs so I've been looking at getting another 2m/70cm radio. I'm wondering where is the majority of radio traffic on motorcycles? FRS, GMRS, or Ham? KF6NZF

Don't need one but thanks for the tip.

When you say "Radio", just what type of radio are you talking about?

This is a dual sport ride for all levels, it's "mostly" a KLR event but after all these years just about every model is representated. Several of your fellow San Diego Aventure Riders will be there, myself (Ed), Maniac (Ian), DSFox (Deb), bigwvjumper (Jonathan), bluefin2na (Tommy), and a bunch of other fine folks from around the country. A range of 200 miles is perfect, lesser ranged bikes can work if you carry extra gas or have a friend with a large tank, tanker for you. We usually ride in groups of 2-20 and nothing is organized at all, you can ride solo the whole time if you prefer. It's that kind of non-event. Basically we all meet in Death Valley on February 2nd - 5th at the Furnace Creek Campground. This is an "un-rally" since the park service does not look kindly on organized group rides. We are just a bunch of friends who decided to go the same weekend. You will need to make a reservation to camp this time of year, you can do that at http://www.recreation.gov You can also wimp out and stay at the "Furnace Creek Resort" or "The Ranch at Furnace Creek", both are much more pricey than the campground and much less social (Cause we will all be at the campground). This used to be a pretty rowdy ADV event but they bailed when it turned into a dual sport ride with no uber-partying. It's important to note that this isn't an organized ride, that will be clearer towards the end. Maniac wrote over on the KLR650.net site: "So, to recap there's no food service, no raffle, no sponsored anything. You get to make your own reservations and be responsible for your own rides, etc. That doesn't mean this weekend is not worth coming to, in fact, in my opinion it's some of the best dual sport riding in the US! I will post some GPS tracks and waypoints for people to use (at your own peril). There will be quite a few people there who are familiar with riding in the park, so buddy up and if they tell you "oh yeah, the hard part of the trail is over" - don't believe them!" He's pretty much right. He also wrote; "If the ranger asks you at check in if you are with the Adventure riders, tell them "no way dude, I just stumbled into here by accident! is there a starbucks nearby?" Also, please respect all park rules (mostly, don't speed or go the wrong way in the campground or near the visitor center, also don't ride up on the curb at the visitor center, don't ask me how I know!). The park service are pretty nice guys and gals but please respect that we are in a National Park. KLR riders are a pretty calm bunch but I just have to say it anyway. Remember, this is not a rally, or event of any kind. If you are asked by a park service employee if you are with any group, the honest answer is that you are NOT." This is definitely a great time of year, albeit somewhat chilly, to ride in Death Valley. The nights are cold, the days are nice, the company is awesome, and the scenery is spectacular. I hope to see you there...I'm in Site 92 This is the Furnace Creek campsite list so far from the KLR650.net site: Site# Name 68 Tubebender 70 bluefin2na and Wyliedog (aka bigwvjumper) 76 mtnmac 77 Geomoto 80 schiessco 82 Shroeder 83 danospacmatico 85 DS Fox 86 Maniac 88 Norcal camper 89 NVGTI 90 JD Diesel 91 wymanwinn 92 SnowAviation 93 Jaycal 98 windgineer I havent counted exactly but it looks like we have about 20 riders "confirmed" so far, it's gonna be another great year in DV. Ed Morning report (roads, weather): http://www.nps.gov/deva/upload/Morning-Report.pdf Furnace Creek Wx: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...ce+creek%2C+ca Other info: http://www.maturango.org/janetmuseum...athValley.html

Just read the site tonight, it looks great to me. I am a Seat Concepts testomonial, after a 9 hour ride on the Big Bear Trail Run, I returned to the base at the Covention center and they had a booth setup. I bought a seat from them right then and there. They are great people...who make great seats...at a reasonable price.