Make This "The Ride" To Talk About, 10-6 & 10-7

[boat440 0]

Ok, mark your calendar now for a ride the first weekend in October (10/06-10/07).

The ride will be suitable for "Adventure riders" with large (>600CC) or above bikes, but any type can be used. My personal preference is a smaller bike (400CC) that is more maneuverable and less weight, the choice is yours. The terrain will be 99.9% OFF-ROAD having a mixture of fire roads, hard pack, loose/rocky terrain, sandy sections and whoops-we will see it all. I would rate the difficulty as intermediate, due to the length and varying terrain conditions, but not due to the technical demands. Your bike must have a minimum range of 85 miles(unless you plan on carrying gas).

This ride will start in Ridgecrest. Ridgecrest is home to China Lake Weapons reserve. The Blue Angels frequently practice over the famous bombing ranges. Ridgecrest is also the gateway to Death Valley. Hopefully it will not be to hot, we can alter the course if need be. We will start heading east to Inyokern. At the Inyokern airport we will head North towards Lone Pine. The I-395 will always be close and parallel to our overnight destination. We will pass many solar generation farms, 2 ghost towns and large wide open expanses of land only seen with an off-road vehicle. This includes fossil mountain, cinder mountain, the county jail and little lake hotel, built in 1910. We will start at 1700 ft and climb to 4200 ft. at our first stop in Olancha. There will be gas available and lunch This will be mile 75.2. Again for those that cannot make the desert riding, there will be quick escapes to the I-395 highway to Lone Pine.

We will then ride another 66.8 miles to Lone Pine passing Owens Lake, Sierra Clouds, the famous Tram and Cerro Gordo. We will climb to 8400 ft at the highest point and settle for 8000 in Lone Pine. Lone Pine is a "big" desert city, sporting a Best Western, Budget Inn, a few places to eat even a small airport. Lone Pine is also known for Mt. Whitney. But it's probably best known for it's gas stations as it's about half-way to Mammoth Mountain from I-15.

Bring an overnight back-pack along with your Camelback, jacket, rain gear and spare tubes/tools. When we get closer to the ride we can compare tool kits. I was on ride once where 5 guys carried tire irons (heavy), but nobody carried a spare clutch lever. Guess what we needed?

The next day will be on the east side of the I-395. We will pass the Death Valley Sand dunes and maybe play there for a short time. This is the longest stretch between gas available points at 85 miles. Then it's on to Panamint for gas/lunch. Again another bail point exists for the less experienced or tired rider using highway 190 (west) to I-395 (south). For the hard cores it's another 46.3 miles to Trona. The elevation gradually goes to 3500, but with some steep peaks (mountain passes) mixed in. Finally it's another 41.5 miles back to base camp in Ridgecrest.

The above first day's ride is 30.8 miles shorter and easier, therefore we will probably reverse the loop to do the longer/harder day (described above) first.

Please contact me with your interest. I have lodging information for Ridgecrest and Lone Pine. You will need to reserve a room. If anyone has a Garmin GPS I am almost done editing the tracks and can share it with you. Also it would good to have a pre-ride meeting (maybe over a few drinks) to get to know everyone and make carpool/final arrangements. With your participation we can make this “the ride” to talk about. Steve...

[Ride-Orange 2]

Hmmmm Great post. I'd like to get the track please.

[RogerTOWM 0]

Ok,

You’ve got my interest! I’m supposed to go on a two week trip with my Harley but we can delay that for a couple of days. If I understand correctly you’ve rated the trail as intermediate only because of the length. But there are exits to the highway as well. So do you think a very fresh novice (like me) should go on this ride? Or would I slow everybody down to much and I should wait for another ride?

My experience is that I’ve been riding bikes on the street for around 34 years. I use to ride on the dirt some but quit about 24 years ago. I still have to get away from the street practice of using my front brake as the main break, no need to lock up that front wheel going down a dirt hill.

Well what do you guys and gals think? Should I go or should I stay? Pyro, you’ve seen me ride and you also know how the club rides?

Roger

[Crawdaddy 96]

We will climb to 8400 ft at the highest point and settle for 8000 in Lone Pine.

You'll be climbing higher than that if you ride up to the tram above Cerro Gordo.....The Tram is at ~8800' and Burgess cabin is up above 9,200'. Fun area too ride in and I'd encourage anyone who's never ridden up there to check it out.....I'm tied up with a family event on the first weekend of Oct or I'd be "in"

Old Timers have seen the below photo's before......some info on the Tram/Lone Pine area........not to mention Randy's GREAT posts on the eastern sierra........like the Nike ads say, "just do it!"

Swansea to Cerro Gordo pics from 2005

[Crawdaddy 96]

Pyro, you’ve seen me ride and you also know how the club rides?

Roger

I haven't met you or seen you ride.....but I'd encourage you to go for it!!!

[Joliet 0]

Steve, this sounds like a great ride. Two riding days in a row are very hard for me to swing, but I will try to make it. I would like to see the track when you get it finished. Can you go into the members only section and post it under GPS tracks? Thanks, Ken

[boat440 0]

Ken- Hopefully you can make it.

I should have the tracks done in a few days. I need to clean up some of the extra tracks and tie it together with some of the state trails.

Also I need to get permission to post to the members only section. Who do I contact? Steve...

Steve, this sounds like a great ride. Two riding days in a row are very hard for me to swing, but I will try to make it. I would like to see the track when you get it finished. Can you go into the members only section and post it under GPS tracks? Thanks, Ken

[boat440 0]

Ok,

You’ve got my interest! I’m supposed to go on a two week trip with my Harley but we can delay that for a couple of days. If I understand correctly you’ve rated the trail as intermediate only because of the length. But there are exits to the highway as well. So do you think a very fresh novice (like me) should go on this ride? Or would I slow everybody down to much and I should wait for another ride?

My experience is that I’ve been riding bikes on the street for around 34 years. I use to ride on the dirt some but quit about 24 years ago. I still have to get away from the street practice of using my front brake as the main break, no need to lock up that front wheel going down a dirt hill.

Well what do you guys and gals think? Should I go or should I stay? Pyro, you’ve seen me ride and you also know how the club rides?

Roger

[rex_everything 0]

This looks like it could be a great adventure. Is the stay over night a camping thing or are you planning on staying in a hotel?

[boat440 0]

This looks like it could be a great adventure. Is the stay over night a camping thing or are you planning on staying in a hotel?

Rex,

I'm planning on staying in a motel. There are a few in Lone Pine. When I get a count of who wants a room I can reserve a few. To save $, some may want to share a room. We can work this out.

After a long ride I need a bed/shower and maybe some Advil.

Come join us, Steve...

[Crawdaddy 96]

This looks like it could be a great adventure. Is the stay over night a camping thing or are you planning on staying in a hotel?

Rex,

I'm planning on staying in a motel. There are a few in Lone Pine. When I get a count of who wants a room I can reserve a few. To save $, some may want to share a room. We can work this out.

After a long ride I need a bed/shower and maybe some Advil.

Come join us, Steve...

Dow Villa is cheap and easy walk to various restaurants

Dow Villa

[Yeti 0]

Sounds like a great ride! Wish I could make it but that's the weekend of the Coronado Speed Festival and I'm crewing for a friend.

I definitely want to get the track though so I can do it later in the fall!

[boat440 0]

Ok so far we have?

KLRoger

Joliet

Rex Everything

Anyone else

I'll keep you up to date (private e-mail) with more information as it comes. Steve...

[carguy 1]

I may, don't have to work so far. Definite maybe.

Things seem to change so fast latley.

[RogerTOWM 0]

Well, let’s see. I ordered Dunlop 606’s for the KLR, I‘ve got the time off. I’ve got tire tools, tubes and a patch kit. I’m putting together a tool kit and I’ve got a first aid kit with splints somewhere. I guess all I need to do is buy some Advil. I’m in!

Roger

[pyro 1]

Sweet ! ! ! Great post Steve ! My preliminary plan is to ride to Ridgecrest during the daytime on friday 10-5 and grab a hotel/motel, unless someone has a better idea. It looks like a 200+ mile highway/freeway/pavement run from here to Ridgecrest friday, another couple hundred all dirt saturday/sunday, and then 200+ highway/freeway/pavement coming back to SD afterwards. Count me in.

[GB007 0]

Sounds great! I'm considering it! Let me get back with you or p.m. U...

[Ride-Orange 2]

Well what do you guys and gals think? Should I go or should I stay? Pyro, you’ve seen me ride and you also know how the club rides?

Roger

Nobody gets left behind Roger

Anyone else

R-O is mostly in...

Also I need to get permission to post to the members only section. Who do I contact? Steve...

I've PM'd Rad for you

[boat440 0]

Welcome Pyro, GB007, Rex & KLRoger!

I called the local motels in Lone Pine. The Comfort Inn & Best Western are filled for the dates. There are 4 to 5 more smaller places to call. When I get some availabilty will forward you the numbers to call to reserve a room.

I'm planning on driving up early Saturday or staying in Big Bear and driving from their. There are plenty places to stay in Ridgecrest.

Steve...

[backhoedoc 0]

Sounds like a great ride. Count Me in on this adventure thanks for the post The Doc.

[boat440 0]

Change of plan.

I called all 7 area motels (Dow Villa, Mt.Whitney Inn, Willow Inn, Portal Motel, Best Western, Comfort Inn & The Timber Line Motel) they are all 100% sold out.

After talking to the owner of the Williow Inn, she informed me that Lone Pine has an annual western film festival the weekend of our scheduled trip 10/6 & 10/7. It seems Lone Pine is used to film/stage many former and current western movies. I can see how the the expansive terrain, snow-capped mountain back drops and endless vistas allow for a perfect 1800's movie set. I bet the Salt Tram was built during that circa.

The LP festival attracts movie stars, film producers, film directors and those associated with the western film industry. The main event is a parade down main street and tours of former sites where westerns were filmed. The owner of the Willow Inn claims that the choice rooms are booked 2 years in advance.

I also tried Independence (about 10 miles further), but could not find any motels listed, with the closest rooms in Bishop, about 65 mi north on 395.

Does anybody have a suggestion for this ride or where to stay?

An alternative is to do a Mojave ride the same weekend. Start in Barstow, north to Baker to Halloran Springs then then across the Mojave desert (thru Ivanpah, Lanfair) to Fort Mojave then to Bullhead City, Arizona. We can stay at the AVI Casino in Bull Head or a smaller place in Needles. It's approximately 220 miles. The 2nd day is shorter taking the southern route thru "The-Hole-In The Wall", Kelso, Cucero, Pisgah then finally to Barstow. About 185 miles. Like the other trip there are multiple escape roads, but once you are crossing the Mojave your committed. This route straddles I-40.

This is a actually an easier trip with no elevation changes or difficult rocks, but some sand.

I'm quite disappointed in the change of plans. I'll reschedule the Death Valley ride to 11/10-11/11 and make sure ther are no film festivals.

We all have the weekend off. So let me know who can make the Mojave ride. It's still riding, let's make it fun.

[RogerTOWM 0]

I’d be willing to stay the night in Bishop. I understand it would be an hour’s ride on the highway. I do have a dual sport bike. Of course I’ve never ridden a course like this so I don’t know how tired it will make us. Is that extra hour out of the question? Either destination I’m in! Roger

[boat440 0]

I’d be willing to stay the night in Bishop. I understand it would be an hour’s ride on the highway. I do have a dual sport bike. Of course I’ve never ridden a course like this so I don’t know how tired it will make us. Is that extra hour out of the question? Either destination I’m in! Roger

Roger, glad you're in. I feel foolish that this happened. Let's see what the others say about Bishop. Bishop has 12 motels. The Holiday Inn Express was sold out, but the Vagabond Inn had rooms. Bishop is probably getting the over flow from the film festival. If the majority says leave as is then, let's do but both days will be longer.

So what are the votes Rex, Pyro, Carguy, Ride-Orange & GB007?

Anybody up for a beer this week to meet? Steve...

[GB007 0]

Steve,

I'm really interested on the death valley trip for 11/10-11/11...

I'll meet for a shorter ride some other time, and I'll be happy to go meet a group of riders from SDAR to plan the trip, meet each other and have some beer...

[boat440 0]

For all SDAR participants, the informal Death Valley ride proposed has been rescheduled to 11/10-11. As posted in #21 all the area motels in Lone Pine are booked due to a western film festival. The closest room is 65 miles away in Bishop. Rather than adding 130 miles of pavement miles, let's change the Death Valley date. We will have no problems with room arrangements.

As a replacement let's go on a Mojave ride. Start on 10-6 in Barstow and ride to Laughlin, NV. Then return the next day on 10-7. The mileage is ~220 miles the first day and ~185miles the second day. The ride is well suited for large bikes.

If you are interested in joining please reserve a room in Laughlin. I have reservations at the Tropicana Casino Hotel & Resort the cost is 65.95 per night plus 8.00 tax for a standard room. The twin towered 18 story hotel is an extraordinary resort combining unsurpassed quality, value and service with the fun, excitement and down-to-earth hospitality that makes Laughlin famous. The casino features 60,000 square foot casino, luxurious accommodations including over 1,500 rooms, and features 90 suites. The resort's amenities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, room service, 300 seat showroom, riverboat cruises, cappuccino cart, gift shop, candy shop and video arcade. There's a lot to see and do: railroad memorabilia, free train rides. Award winning dining is found at The Steakhouse, Passaggio Italian Gardens, and Del soul Mexican Grill plus a buffet and 24-hour cafe.

Please hurry up as it is filling up. Check in 10-6, Check-out 10-7

Link to reservations: http://www.tropicanax.com/

Let me know if you're joining us.

Cheers, Steve...