2018 New Years Death Valley Ride

Its the New Year, so that means its also time for Vegashotwheeler's (aka Mike) annual New Years Death Valley Ride!

Adrian and I leave December 29 and take a leisurely 500 mile round-about ride to Vegas.

Early the next morning we get lost on our way to the ride. We finally make it to the Snow Mt Smoke shop (20 minutes late) and see about 20 bikes and trikes.

We're soon on our way toward Death Valley, stopping for breakfast, then a photo op at the Amargosa Opera House.

My-2-Wheels inmates

A big bonus to this year's ride;

This guy and I have had a Facebook, and motorcycle forum relationship for years....We finally get to meet in person, another Mike, aka Flounder-what an awesome guy!

After the photo op Adrian and I make another photo stop.

 Standing at Dantes viewpoint. I'm pointing to Badwater basin, the lowest point in the U.S. at 282 feet below sea level.

 Then a ride on the beautiful, Artists Palette road.

 A small group of us ride to Panamint Springs resort and had a good (late) lunch and chat while we were being buzzed by a couple of these guys. By the time we were finished it was night time, we left and had a DARK ride 170 miles back to the condo.

Saturday morning Adrian and I set off for home.....sort of; we took a couple days on a wandering route.

We stopped for gas at this place.

Then we spend some time hanging out at the Goldpoint ghost town....which also has several very much alive residents.

A bit further down the road we stop at Goldfield and see some transportation art.

We stop for the day in Tonopah, and leave the next morning for home.

1650 mostly comfortable miles. There were a few cold, and dark miles here and there, but it was a great ride overall!

Serendipity in the Centennial State* pt I (couples ride)

It is time for the Annual Couples Ride; our plans to ride to Glacier National Park had to be changed due to the massive forest fires in that area. So I make a quick 're-plan' and route the ride to Colorado.

Unfortunately, the usual suspects have been thinned down a bit. Jan broke a foot training for a run, so Ken and Jan rode in their "Harley-yota" SR5. Julie broke a bone in her wrist so Brent and her stayed home. Christine suffered a concussion a week or so before the ride so she and Harry stayed home. I injured my arm so Bev rode with Ken and Jan so as not to stress my injury any more than necessary (and riding the bike IS necessary!).....so that meant there were 6 of us on two bikes and one car.

I have to admit, having a 4-wheeler along was VERY convenient!
Thanks to Ken and Jan for hauling us to dinner each night!

*Colorado is called the Centennial State because they became the 38th state in 1876.

(ride map in part II)

First stop for lunch at Pin Willies near Talmage, Ut.
It may not look like much on the outside, but the food is GREAT!

Then on to Meeker, Colorado where we spend the night. The next morning we ride over Independence Pass.

On to Idaho Springs, Colorado where we overnight. Then up to Mt Evans (the highest paved road in North America)...well, almost. The road is closed 5 miles short of the top. We stop at Summit Lake then return down the mountain and ride through Leadville, Colorado - the highest city in the U.S.

Ken W, Jan, Beverly, Wendy, Ken W, Rooster

And what is a motorcycle ride with out some rain?

 After an overnight stay in Gunnison, Colorado, we head out for the SR 92, then to the Grand Mesa Scenic highway (SR65). The Grand Mesa is the biggest Mesa in the world.

SR 92, SR 65, and some towns along the way.

We stop in the city of Mesa for lunch, Rooster and I get a javalina, elk, antelope mix burger.....delicious!

This is the Church across the street from the restaurant.

More in part II

Serendipity in Colorado pt II (couples ride)

After Grand Mesa, we ride to Palisade, Colorado to walk through town and enjoy some of the art there;

Ken is excited to see this fish made out of Harley exhaust mufflers.

Rooster is also excited to find this treasure!

A cool house on the way out of town.

On to Green River, Utah for our last overnight stay of the trip.

Can't go to Green River without getting a photo of the Golden Ratio scuplture.

 Then to Ray's Tavern, one of my favorite eateries...

 There are not enough seats in Kenny's Toyota so Rooster 'hops' in the back...

 What a great ride and wonderful time visiting with friends!

Life is Good!

1600 miles (for me, I got a few more miles than the rest of the group....) of brilliant roads.

Idaho Springs, Colorado to Mt Evans...(almost)

 Mt Evans to Gunnison

Gunnison to Grand Mesa, to Palisade.