Well, How 'bout it? Who's going this year?
I know this same topic has been covered in other forums (ADV, Ural, etc.) but I was just wondering about this crowd?
We are 'in' and can't wait!!!!
Wow- that many, huh? : )
Really? None? I know a few folks went last year... Didn't have a good time or what? 🙂
Just curious... No biggie... Guess I am just overly excited!
What is DVD '08?
Mike
I believe it's a winter bike run into Death Valley that is not all on pavement.
Lonnie
Not all on pavement? Sounds like a lot of fun for those with dual-sport bikes. I used to go to DV for a weekend in Feb, but the ride there and back became a little much. I'm in Nor Cal and it's a 10 plus hour ride from here. Sure liked being there though.
Mike
If you happen to go into Death Valley on a motorcycle (or in a car, for that matter) make sure that you have a backup plan in the event that your ride quits.
We rode in there with a former ex-friend who had a Goldwing. I had my former 1993 Harley with TLE sidecar. This was around 1998. Bike blew two head gaskets. Ex-friend found an excuse to leave me and I was stuck.
There are no services there. There is no bus, no cab, no train, no nothing. Also, you will have to beg for a room like I did if you get caught there on short notice. The closest town where you could get help is Beatty, NV and no simple way to get there or to Las Vegas....period.
I finally called a relative who came to get me with a U-haul truck. All told, it took three days and cost me $1,200 to get home for gas, rental, food, rooms, etc.
Just make sure if you go there that you have a support group because there's a reason why they call it Death Valley.
Deep too.
Lonnie
Death ValLey Daze is a huge annual riders event at Death Valley, CA. This year the dates are the last weekend in January, the 26th & 27th. This is usually the same time every year.
There is literally an invasion of riders, all types, all makes, all skill level. Some camp, some RV, some stay at the hotel (however rooms are completely booked, and most likely campsites as well by now.) For some, the ride TO Death Valley is their ride, and they spend a few days shooting the breeze with other riders around the campfire before heading home. For others, arriving there is only where the ride begins. (Personally I think you're missing out big time to not explore at least some of the short distance sites, but to each thier own.) Riding options run the full gammot from all pavement to as knarly off road as you can take it. Elevation ranges from 200 below Sea Level to 7000+ above, so plan for tempuratures to drop as you rise. Also, personally, I wouldn't go there past say, April because of heat, and bring supplies (for you and bike) with you when you ride, all year round.
Riding in Death Valley is like an IMAX experience! If you can't make it this year, you owe it to yourself to go at least once in your lifetime.
I will echo the opinion that you should never ride alone, whether on, or especially off road, as it is a VAST and remote place with no cell phone reception, miles from civilization (once you are away from the hotel) but with indescribable beauty and visual gems to be discovered everywhere. For those that are interested, here is the link to our ride report from last year's trip.
http://crozb.com/Outdoors/01-27-07/
Anyway, hope that sheds some light. This is my second trip, it will be my husband's third, and this place will keep us busy for many more years to come.
Maybe I will see some of you there, this year, or next year!
p.s. For those with S.O.s not all that interested in much riding/monkeying, there are Swedish message options at the Resort, so if you want a tougher day of riding, drop them off for a pampering time while you ride! And there's no shortage of other S.O.s to chit-chat, etc. with...
Hope to see you there Karla - and how about a write-up and pictures for The Sidecarist? I know the new editor will appreciate it. (editor@sidecar.com)
More info about DVDaze here: http://www.dvdaze.org/ (once you join the forum) Death Valley Daze started as an Internet BMW Riders event but has certainly branched out a lot over the last few years with a large off-road contingent and more and more sidecars. It's a great time - fun to get there, be there and go home.
