Arctic To Atlantic... A Trans USA Ride...

[Racey]

I'll rattle through this quickly as there wasn't too much "biking" and I note this is a "Ride Reports" section - not a "show us your holiday snaps" section !!

Having played the tourists at Tahoe for a day or so - including a complete circumnavigation of the lake - it was off to cross The Sierra Nevada Mountains...

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Our first and second choices were closed due to an Iron Man Cycle ride... So we looped back and enjoyed the ride across Highway 88. As we descended into Jackson the heat rose dramatically and the scenery became parched and brown…

Highway 49 took us past the end of the road we would have come across and then we ran onto Highway 120. What a sensational climb… An astonishing ride – open bends with no guard rails, flowing curves switching from one direction to the next in a heartbeat… fast long sweepers… I lost count of how many times the side of my boot touched down through the bends !! I’d seen 39 degrees centigrade at one point towards the bottom of the climb… I explained to Susie later that I was only going up at warp factor 5 to get to cooler air !!

All of a sudden we were into Yosemite…

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On we headed through a beautiful forest until all of a sudden the views opened up and there we were – the most breathtaking vista of granite rock walls to a 3,000 ft high canyon with the most beautiful river at the bottom…

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As we continued towards our oasis in the heart of the valley the views improved. Giving glimpses of Half Dome and El Capitan…

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A tour of the Park took in Glacier Point

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And the Giant Sequias at The Mariposa Grove

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Needless to say, we couldn't leave this fantastic area without flicking a fly for wild rainbows !!

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You'll be pleased to hear it was then back onto the bike to head towards Death Valley...

 

[Racey]

The Town That Time Forgot !!

As I left Yosemite I reflected that it had been a month since I'd completed The Dalton. The changes had been significant in a number of ways. Not just from a scenery point of view, but from an "experience" point of view too...

In the early days I was well outside my comfort zone. And I found that immensely rewarding and satisfying. I was not only breaking new ground from a travel perspective - but from a "personal" perspective as well. And it was invigorating. Whether what I was doing was adventurous by other people's standards, it was mine - and I loved it...

But more recently I was starting to feel things were not so "adventurous". I was trying to find the more remote roads - but even so I ws beginning to feel more like a "tourist" or "traveller" than "adventurer". That's no bad thing... But there was a slight pang that an ingredient that had created the early "magic" had lessened.

However, I had hopes that the next sections might "re-inject" some of that - as we were Death Valley Bound... And it was 14th July and recent reports said it had been 50C or 121F over there...

We headed off from Yosemite at about 8:45am – allowing us a relatively unhindered run out of the park via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass).

It was a pleasant run, which climbed and fell and took us past wonderful viewpoints like Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Lake.

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It also deposited us on at Lee Vining with a marvellous view of Mono Lake as we descended the pass.

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Rather than hitting the Highway South straight away, we elected to take the scenic 16 mile detour around June Lake – magical.

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Well, it was up to the point we filled up with fuel… This was the point I messed up coming to a halt on leaving the gas station forcourt… The level of the gas station was lower than road by about a foot and there was a ramp up to the road…

Well, the village idiot on a BMW had to come to a stop because of traffic on the road I wanted to join. No issue there – apart from the fact I stopped with the front wheel on the ramp and the rear still on the forecourt… As you can imagine, doing that put the centre of the bike directly above the lowest point – so when I came to stick a boot out to prop the bike as I would normally – it waved around rather pathetically in mid air…

The bike began to lean to the left and by the time a boot touched down the bike was toppling over at a rate of knots faster than any Giant Sequoia in a gale… And there was no way I was going to stop the old boy laying down for a mid morning nap !! I’d have had more chance of pushing a Sequoia back upright I think !!

I stepped off as he went down… After 7,500 miles – much of which was on dirt – I had to drop the bloody thing in a Shell Gas Station. Bollox…

Nothing was damaged other than pride… Well, the clutch lever broke its tip off as it is designed to do to minimise significant damage… But nothing more…

Fortunately again, I suppose if somethings like this (like the puncture - which is still holding its pressure by the way !!) are to happen, it is better they don’t happen out in the wilds - although no one would have seen that !! Pumped with adrenalin (embarassment !!) I even managed to get him back upright before Susie could get the camera out to record my foolishness…

He fired up straight away and headed off down the highway cussing the pilot !! That's not what I wanted when I said I wanted more "adventure" !!

A few miles later we left the highway again to take a remote road “Benton Crossing”… The scenery was amazing with the differing mountains on either side. But by now we were well into high desert again and the scenery had changed dramatically. As had the temperatures.

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Maybe we had finally found the loneliest road in America as we headed along Highway 6 towards Tonopah. Mile after mile of straight road – just leading into heat haze after heat haze.

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Finally we rolled into Tonopah and fell through a black hole - time had stood still in this funky and quirky town !! Tonopah was once a thriving mining town. But today it is a rather odd town with many of its grand buildings standing empty – a great shame…

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It has a strange mixture of features and stores – not least the local saloon that we entered for a beer… Some very odd things going on in there in the middle of the afternoon !! We sunk our beers and headed off… Wondering whether we'd found a place where you could marry your cousin !!

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Hydrated and refreshed Death Valley was next...

 

[hondated]

Brilliant

this is compulsive reading. I cannot wait for the next installment. Stay safe.

 

[yamonda1]

Great read, thanks for the effort

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Driven a number of those roads in cars but not on bikes. That sunset at Tahoe is probably the same place I walked down to each morning when I was there, got a coffee from the little wagon at the side of the lake and just sat curled up in a warm coat and watched the sunrise.

spent a couple of days just driving and walking in the mountains before my first trip out to the Blackrock Desert for the Burning Man festival a few years ago.

Oh, and are you just taking stills from the helmet cam video or does it take individual stills on command. Great quality for such a small video camera.

 

[Racey]

Justin

I have heard about the burning man festival - but not seen it. By all accounts it can be a real party !!

The GoPro cameras can be set to take a shot every 3 or 5 seconds. I used those cameras just for stills and over the distance I travelled I learned how to fumble to switch it on and off when required... Sometimes I must admit to forgetting whether I'd turned it on or off though !!

So, on some of the demanding roads I ended up turning it off when I wanted it on and vice versa !! But on the whole it worked really well.

I used a POV Vio 1.5 for videos...

Simon

 

[Racey]

Despite The Warnings I Didn't Spontaneously Combust...

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We left Tonopah and had a fast run down to Highway 267… It was quite awe inspiring to see the signs for “Death Valley”. I must admit I also felt a bit nervous after all the horror stories I had been told… Was I being foolish, was this a step too far, was this common sense being subordinated by a desire to pack too much into one trip…

Just about every American I'd corresponded with - apart from one desert warfare trained Marine - had told me I was mad to venture into The Valley in the heat of the Summer. But what's the point in going when it's cooler ? Surely part of the reason for going is to experience for one's self the impressive heat..? The "I survived Death Valley" sticker would be a bit of a fraudulent thing to affix to a pannier if it was only 24C or 75F !!

Notwithstanding all this logic, there was more spinning in my mind than at many other points of this trip… I think the self questioning was as acute as the day before the push to Prudhoe…

But I remembered the lesson I had learned. That I had prepared well for that stage as I had this. That I worried unduly. And, that all turned out well…

Most of the run down to the turn off at Scotty's Junction was dead straight again through desert... I've cracked how to handle these stages now !!

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After the turn off I could feel my heart beat quicken... Here we go... What was this really going to be like..? It was 39C or 102F as I turned off...

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By the time we had descended a little to the Park sign it had got hotter... 41C or 106F !!

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On into the canyon leading down past Scotty's Castle... 45C or 113F ..!!

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We swung into Scotty's Castle for a breather. The place was empty and on a "spur of the moment" we joined a guided tour... Just 4 guests !! I hadn’t planned on joining a tour as I was worried by stories of massive crowds… We had the place to ourselves and had a virtually private tour…

I found the story of Scotty amazing – not just from the events of the story, but from the fact that someone got “conned” yet found it in their heart to forgive and enjoy the reason why they were conned… How few people could do that… It made me think and reappraise how I'd have reacted.

Forgive the length of this, but this is how I recalled it in my journal that night. Judge how you'd have reacted...

"Death Valley Scotty, was a prospector, performer, and con man, who was made famous by his many scams involving gold mining and the iconic mansion in Death Valley, popularly known as Scotty's Castle.

Scott spent the early years of his childhood traveling with his family around the harness racing circuit, and at age 11 he left home to join his two brothers at a ranch near Wells, Nevada.

In 1884, he made his first visit to Death Valley, as part of a crew surveying the California-Nevada border. At age 16, he joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show as a stunt rider. For the next 12 years, he toured the United States and Europe with the show.

Scott's involvement with the show ended when he married Ella Josephine Milius (whom he called Jack) in New York City in 1900. They then moved to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where Scott unsuccessfully tried to start a gold mining operation.

After he was not allowed to rejoin the Wild West Show, he conned a wealthy New York businessman into backing a fictitious gold mining operation. For two years, he continuously informed his patron about the state of the mine, but he never shipped any ore. After his patron had invested more than $5000 in the mine, Scott boarded a train bound for New York with a bag supposedly containing more than $12,000 in gold dust.

After he claimed that the bag had been stolen before he reached his destination, the newspapers eagerly picked up the story, starting Scott on a spree of self- promotion ventures. In 1904, he abandoned his previous patron in favor of Edward A. Shedd and Albert M. Johnson. They poured more than $4000 into his scam over a period of several months, before pulling out of the deal.

In 1905, Scott made another attempt to increase his publicity by claiming that he would break the cross-country train speed record. On July 9, he left Los Angeles for Chicago in a train called the "Scott Special", consisting of an engine, a baggage car, a sleeper, and a dining car. The only passengers were Scott, Jack, and several reporters.

The trip was completed in 44 hours and 54 minutes, breaking the previous record of just under 53 hours. This stunt once again catapulted Scott to the front pages of newspapers the nation over, and inspired Buffalo Bill Cody to hire an impersonator of Scott for his show.

Throughout 1905 and 1906, Scott continued to attempt to con investors into backing his "mining" endeavors, and was largely successful, using many ruses to evade the investigators that his potential backers sent to check on the state of his mines.

On March 11, 1906 a play about Scott opened in Seattle to a standing-room only, with Scott playing the leading role. When the play finished, Scott was arrested on assorted charges for his involvement in fooling investigators earlier that year.

The charges were dismissed on a technicality, but the trial had made clear that Scott was a fraud. However, he refused to admit anything and somehow managed to keep Albert Johnson interested in his "mine". Another investigator was sent, who reported back that the mine did not exist. Johnson refused to believe this, and the following year he visited the mine himself, but left without seeing the mine.

Around this time, Scott began fencing high-grade ore that he had stolen from mines in the area. As a front for his stolen-ore operation he leased a mine in the Humboldt Mountains. In 1912, he returned to Death Valley and announced that he had sold his mine for $12 million. After he made this claim, he was sued by his creditors for old debts, and ended up in jail.

In 1915, Scott moved to Twentynine Palms, where he lived quietly until Johnson decided to visit him. Johnson eventually forgave Scott for his fraudulent scheming, and the two became friends. Johnson soon purchased the Staininger Ranch in Grapevine Canyon for his own use, and in 1929, prior to the stock market crash, began developing the property of what later became Lower Vine Ranch, approximately five miles away.

Although Johnson had originally installed quarters for Scotty at Grapevine, he also built a roomy five-room cabin for Scott at Lower Vine as well as several outbuildings and a corral for Scott's beloved mules. Johnson also used the land at Lower Vine for a short while to farm alfalfa so he could legally claim the property for himself under the Homesteading Act. Scott immediately returned to his old ways of spreading unbelievable tales about his mine, which Johnson did nothing to discourage, regarding it as Staininger Ranch on what was to be the nemerely amusement.

In 1922, construction began at the w Johnson vacation home. As people saw the scale of the project, speculation was rampant that Scott did have a mine after all.

Scott claimed that he had built the castle for himself, and it became known as "Scotty's Castle", despite the fact that the name over the front door read "Death Valley Ranch".

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Scott himself rarely stayed in the castle proper, staying mainly at his cabin in Lower Vine Ranch, and putting in appearances at the castle to entertain dinner guests with his stories.

In 1931, it was discovered that due to a surveying error, Johnson did not actually own the land on which the castle was being built.

The problem was rectified in 1935, but at that point, it was too late for construction to finish, as Johnson’s insurance company had gone into bankruptcy in 1933.

Johnson willed Death Valley Ranch to a religious organization, with the provision that Scotty could live there as long as he wished. Scotty’s Castle was never completed, but Scotty lived there until his death in 1954. He is buried above the castle."

We were lucky enough, as I say to get a private tour of the place and I couldn’t help but be captivated by the place and the story…

Everything in one’s make up screams “Johnson should not have forgiven him”… But he was a better man than me who could see the bigger picture… I admire him…

Thereafter, we took the remote road to Ubehebe Crater. My goodness the heat rose as did the intensity of the views… 50C or 122F by now... And the wind... My heavens it roared… And it was like a blast furnace…

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The road to Stovepipe Wells was spectacular and hot… But tolerable. I enjoyed it in a perverse adventurer kind of way…

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After a brief respite at the room, we headed off to see a bit more of the valley. First stop the Visitor Centre at Furnace Creek:

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Zabriske Point:

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20 mule canyon

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and Dante’s View made up a spectacular afternoon.

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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/o2vXs1FgpdzSJGhLms7bMQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ehv0bO-OI/AAAAAAAADQo/vfjHyx4REmM/s800/P1020143%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Supper at the motel was taken before the most spectacular sunset down the valley…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/l-7WpPA0rqfjbpkiTpyIaA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eh6eF_WZI/AAAAAAAADQs/N5dDOHHOzaI/s800/P1020163%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/X9FmupkRGKHAjym2PlBa-A?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eh_aVSv6I/AAAAAAAADQ0/1JTCLxTBi9M/s800/P1020171%20edit.jpg" /></a>

And if anyone wants to know how hot it got… It was 123 degrees Fahrenheit or 51 degrees Centigrade at 8:24pm as we finished dinner…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/2N2fBxYc8_5MT-haPh1plg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eh8knucWI/AAAAAAAADQw/zus4pzQJKn8/s800/P1020165%20edit.jpg" /></a>

More to come if we survived the night...

 

[Aidan1150]

Oh ya bugger Simon, we will be there in June and your report has me counting the minutes.

Cracking report.

 

[Racey]

Oh ya bugger Simon, we will be there in June and your report has me counting the minutes.

Cracking report.

Aidan

I better get a move on and get it finished before you go !!
If you want any GPS tracks shout - I have every day saved...

Simon

 

[Sancheto]

Artic to Atlantic

Fantastic report, looking forward to the rest of the trip!

Tony.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

This is agreat report Simon.Only read the first bit so far but I've done most of those roads and was on the Dalton in July Similar weather conditions and it's tough up there when it's wet

Reckon we may have passed somewhere in the way from SF. Reminds me to get down to my report

I'm taking some tossers from SF to Baltimore on a similar route to you so I'm guessing Aidan and co are swotting up!

 

[Racey]

This is agreat report Simon.Only read the first bit so far but I've done most of those roads and was on the Dalton in July Similar weather conditions and it's tough up there when it's wet

Reckon we may have passed somewhere in the way from SF. Reminds me to get down to my report

I'm taking some tossers from SF to Baltimore on a similar route to you so I'm guessing Aidan and co are swotting up!

I look forward to reading that one Chris...

I wonder how many pics there are of bikers next to that sign... Lord knows how many I've seen... If only I had a pound for each one !!

Simon

 

[Racey]

Part of the plan for Death Valley was to explore Titus Canyon, a remote adventurous ride / drive through a narrow and winding canyon that Gold Miners built to Leadfield (now a remote ghost town). I knew it was to be on dirt, but last night we were told stories of stranded motorists, shredded car tyres and costly recoveries from this remote place.

Oh heck… What to do ? Part of me said every doomsday scenario that had been predicted by “nay sayers” had failed to materialise so far… But prudence also said at some point my lucky streak could run out…

Should I ride it alone ? Nope that's anti social on Susie...

Should we take the Mustang through ? Should I push my luck or heed the advice ??

Prudence enjoyed her day trip with us - I'll do that and other tracks another time !!

Admittedly though, like a moth to a flame, I had to head up through Daylight Pass to Rhyolite – not only to see the ghost town but to assess the entrance to Titus Canyon Road for myself !! It looked a wild and remote road as it headed to the mountains.

It had been graded, but it was small and sharp rocks / gravel. There was also a sign saying “high ground clearance vehicles recommended”. We knew this might be a bit of an exaggerated warning – but nevertheless we stuck with the plan to miss it… Some day...

The museum at Rhyolite was interesting – some strange yet appealing modern art. But in the middle of a desert !! The town itself was a bit of a disappointment. I know DV is a harsh environment. But we were astonished that stone buildings constructed in 1906 had crumbled to such an extent…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/PzvmiqNK69BEkQUDLG0_bw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eiCQjaIJI/AAAAAAAADQ4/USB6CWgYBwA/s800/P1020181%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/m0AKMCjYjaQf5QTdJs4cQQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eiLKTdWAI/AAAAAAAADRE/tiopV9T_5W4/s800/P1020184%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Thereafter, we headed down to Badwater. On the way we stopped to explore the old Borax processing works. An amazing set up and operation. Borax was gathered from the mineral rich soil of the valley and was processed into crystals on site. It was more efficient for this to be done in the valley – rather than mineral and waste products being shipped out. We saw remnants of an old 20 mule wagon train and the works.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/bjF3JvLaKtEUvseoT3Z8IA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eiTr_Kf5I/AAAAAAAADRI/rhaj7-Vh7HM/s800/P1020200%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Badwater is 283 feet below sea level and is a small spot of sulphurous, salty water that exists in the valley. Named because an old cartographer couldn’t get his mule to drink from the pool when he found it – so he wrote on his map “Badwater”.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/gUJcOgEWy3k1C7BCnEGwoQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fXKl1GeaI/AAAAAAAADR8/chBDhStGX-A/s800/P1020207%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/mupBCUoiXFgs3uvHZtbVyA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fXBqmyZLI/AAAAAAAADR4/Xln3UJIg6q8/s800/P1020211%20edit.jpg" /></a>

On the way back we drove through “Artist’s Palette Road” – so named because of all the various mineral colours that are visible at the surface… Spectacular…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/Uutc_CsFfYUOPKGgETtg6A?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fX6pbEijI/AAAAAAAADSA/c5sbEvqv1CQ/s800/P1020212%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/LuWQ8LJfY7KSPUtba3Ibnw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fYDolFTQI/AAAAAAAADSM/QyDo3j9FPQU/s800/P1020223%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Although we had taken our time and had enjoyed our meanderings, we found that with Titus Canyon off limits we had completed most of the exploring we wished to do – and we had returned to base at Stovepipe Wells by 2:30pm…

So what to do ? I ambled off to make a phone call and to negotiate with “The Management” at Stovepipe Wells…

And returned with a plan !!

Although we had booked 2 nights at Stovepipe Wells, the Manager was happy to charge me for only one night so long as we disappeared by 3:00pm. Decent of him as check out was at 11:00am…

The Bellagio in Vegas could accept us a day earlier for a 2 night stay instead of one. So it was a case of “Thunderbirds are Go” as we packed, prepared my hydration and cooling accessories and split…

The direct route up and out of the valley to Beatty saw the road climb and temperatures drop. But not much. It was 50 degrees C or 122 degrees F as we left and it dropped to 41 degrees C or 106 degrees F at the top.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/SLCceHUAlY_IuEAH3EDHiQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eidYQwJUI/AAAAAAAADRQ/Tzpp3614hpU/s800/L1010577%20edit.jpg" /></a>

And there it stayed for the remaining 110 miles into Vegas. Well, I lie… It climbed to 45 degrees C or 113 as we arrived – but I think that was from all the reflected heat on the Freeway…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/Hgsy80yKq3djz8FhESTznw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eimPeDiVI/AAAAAAAADRU/c-TlLJYtAFk/s800/L1010613%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Notwithstanding that – I was hot when we arrived and a few “Green Backs” changing hands got the Mustang valet parked and the Warrior a space in the valet parking area as well… I was cooler one I'd sunk a beer and showered...

After a quick early evening shower we wandered out. We took in the sights of Paris and New York. But I refused to tempt fate by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge !! That can wait until I do that with my buddy in August (hopefully !!).

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/r8Xl57ESEmVv57tJD7hifQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4eiy4-D9sI/AAAAAAAADRc/Z_6qKTeFzOQ/s800/P1020238%20edit.jpg" /></a>

The evening perambulation took in the lights, the volcano, cocktails and stint on the tables and, finally, the view from our room.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/psp5ljAwWEE7_41pvBSajQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ei8-aNReI/AAAAAAAADRo/z6e-moD2rPY/s800/P1020258%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/mPLgOsk-HmZMc8I_XOjguQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ei41TLx2I/AAAAAAAADRk/CGorxahj8Fw/s800/P1020246%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/LRz0n_OoUwvtiINhTvuEnw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ejDWK6OLI/AAAAAAAADRs/l81QZLS9yQE/s800/P1020270%20edit.jpg" /></a>

A section of staggering contrasts. The contrast from DV to Vegas is amazing. In as short a distance as 155 miles one leaves remote, beautiful wilderness and without warning is plunged straight into bedlam. There is no gradual build up. One minute one is on remote desert highway and then madness... It happens so suddenly... And I loved it...

This trip still continued to amaze me every day...

 

[robmack]

I have really enjoyed your report and pic's.
Would i be right in assuming you'r having to slum it in the Belagio
Keep it coming

 

[Racey]

I have really enjoyed your report and pic's.
Would i be right in assuming you'r having to slum it in the Belagio
Keep it coming

One has to have a few little treats in life..

 

[Racey]

Another quick section to rattle through as there's not to much "bike action" in this first bit...

Mind you... There is one heck of a travel update !!

We’ve got to Venice, Monte Carlo, New York, Italy and Luxor… All before lunch !!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/AzQOuoNjZutFTvMlfkwA3Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffNViBcDI/AAAAAAAADSY/W3RlijFh2Yg/s800/P1020293%20edit.jpg" /></a>

After checking on the bike and adorning him with his well deserved "Death Valley" sticker, we ambled up to The Venetian first thing as I’ve always promised Susie a trip to see Venice. She declined my offer of a Gondola ride, but we did watch and amire the spectacle and the singing…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/d9SUUzn-OLObmmQT2dnd3Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffGTmqN7I/AAAAAAAADSU/BLIyrZFGR4k/s800/P1020274%20edit.jpg" /></a>

From there, being real tourists and fishermen, we headed down to Mandalay Bay to see the aquarium. It isn’t a patch on the one in Sydney Harbour – but being down there allowed us to see promotional posters for a concert – that night.

One of the groups listen to from time to time is Il Divo… And guess what ?? For one night they were playing Las Vegas. We didn’t dream there would be tickets available – nevertheless I formed an orderly queue and asked whether they could possibly squeeze another two that night ?

I walked away with 2 seats in the stalls, 5 rows from the stage !! You never know until you ask !!

We meandered back in sufficient time to allow Susie to practice flinging under garments the distance of the 5 rows we were from the stage…

But was her fling accurate and enthusiastic enough ??

Well, as all good Physicists know Momentum = Mass x Velocity !! That might seem an irrelevance – but it isn’t ! I’ll come back to that later…

The following day's ride to Zion Canyon started with departure from Vegas at about 8:30am. On a bright, sunny and hot morning. 109 degrees F or 43 degrees C as we left !!

I decided to avoid the interstate as much as we could and therefore headed out towards Lake Mead to pick up North Shore Drive…

It was a name that had evoked thoughts of a pretty drive along a lake shore with cooling breezes to lower the temperature and refresh the pilot…

If ever a road was badly named it was this one !! It was a striking ride, but the lake was only visible for about the final 2 miles of a 45 mile ride ! And the ride was through desert !! Lots of it…

Admittedly it was better than being on the interstate and the scenery was stunning in places, but it wasn’t the cool ride along an azure blue lake I had sold to Susie !!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/TCBHGr7ekmPEnmugu7HO2g?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffWxZsbOI/AAAAAAAADSc/YQsSagllZaA/s800/L1010630%20edit.jpg" /></a>

The interstate was one of the more scenic ones and it passed quite quickly… Soon enough we were in Arizona – and then we were out of it again !! But in long enough to be able to add another state sticker to the bike that evening !!

The turn off to Springdale came and it was a relief to get off the interstate. The ride towards Zion got more and more spectacular and eventually we were there…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/8hvnsHjZB3qDzS6pqJlp9A?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffbSdcCkI/AAAAAAAADSg/TVpu5WaPmFI/s800/L1010644%20edit.jpg" /></a>

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/zgfYj4C5L-qVGIjl_voXnA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffecSAKJI/AAAAAAAADSk/ujUTC0EgOXw/s800/L1010648%20edit.jpg" /></a>

After checking in and cooling off we headed out to see a little of the park.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/80FhGPzQvAl7MdN8o8VFAQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ffnocTRpI/AAAAAAAADSo/0Swgbx5mUnQ/s800/P1020302%20edit.jpg" /></a>

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Zion is a spectacular area with the most striking canyons and sandstone rock architecture. On the brief appetite whetter we had we were treated to astonishing views and a magical and truly memorable viewing of a group of Big Horn Sheep…

Do, however, note the gathering clouds - short, sharp and severe afternoon thunder storms are a daily occurrence in the Summer throughout these high areas !! They became a regular feature all the way to Missouri !!

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/9lTTrxbA-1EJ1nmpKIfNtg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ff3nQtEdI/AAAAAAAADS0/wW8Zv9lGOSA/s800/L1010669%20edit.jpg" /></a>

After the hustle and bustle of Vegas it was great to be back in the scenic splendour that nature made…

Oh… On the subject of Vegas the concert was fantastic. But Susie was out gunned !! As any schoolboy will recall – momentum = mass x velocity !! Her skimpy stuff just didn’t have the carrying distance !! A pair of “Bridget Jones’s” hurled enthusiastically by a rather portly lass knocked her into 2nd place…

If you ever do a ride like this - give yourself time if you can to explore. I understand not everyone can take as much time as I did - but to rush past places on 450 to 500 mile days will lead to you missing so much - take time and you will be rewarded for your patience...

I say this as on our "day off" in Zion we caught a shuttle from the Visitor Centre into the Park to explore some more. You judge whether saying the extra day was worth it.. We had the place to ourselves for the first 3 hours !!

Our first stop was at the Three Patriarchs, where stood and marvelled at the view… Dramatic and striking…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/2lqOH2-Pkt0MmWntYum8xA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ff624HDnI/AAAAAAAADS4/MQAmBL2KC5g/s800/P1020332%20edit.jpg" /></a>

After hopping back on the following shuttle we continued right to the top to The Temple Of Sinawava. From here we took the delightful 1 mile trail to the gates of The Narrows. Rather than turning around at the end of the trail, we forged on a bit – up the river to see the canyon as it narrowed.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/pmh_zm39rFzmkVYXHbbD1Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4ff9FZtkaI/AAAAAAAADS8/tDBPpi6xxCc/s800/P1020343%20edit.jpg" /></a>

We didn’t go too far as we weren’t fully equipped for such a hike and we stopped when the waters reached the bottom of our shorts… A good appetite whetter and a taste of what might have laid round the next corner…

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/H9UzM3Pd6xPg3F-aA6-Q0Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fgAiLxFpI/AAAAAAAADTA/bwyHOGm54A0/s800/P1020356%20edit.jpg" /></a>

The next stop for the two of us was at The Grotto where we elected to take the scenic hike up to The Emerald Pools. We made it to the Middle and Lower ones. Rather than back tracking, we followed a different path down to the Lodge.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/adlwX6bix6ouqqyrVnWFZQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fgeByfVdI/AAAAAAAADTU/nGCMMeyZpAY/s800/P1020400%20edit.jpg" /></a>

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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/U1eiNoJGklb6y5x8kDyeiA?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fhBdOqIiI/AAAAAAAADTo/BE4ZWGymEGs/s800/P1020421%20edit.jpg" /></a>

Here the crowds were gathering for an early afternoon rest stop. We elected not to join them and skedaddled down the valley to the sanctuary of “Wildcat Willie’s” !! Where beer and burgers were shoveled down hungry gullets !!

As we watched the sun paint different colours across the rock face as it slowly set we planned the next stages to Bryce Canyon and The North Rim of The Grand Canyon...

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/3C8t1wOmQEfWIRDX-9gsQw?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4fhKI81ZEI/AAAAAAAADTs/_9bR7ieuFBk/s800/P1020449%20edit.jpg" /></a>

 

[Gundog]

Some of your pictures are fantastic...maybe you should put all this in a book.
I'd buy it..

Keep it commin.....

 

[Greger]

Some of your pictures are fantastic...maybe you should put all this in a book.
I'd buy it..

Keep it commin.....

I'll second that. You have a flare for brilliant pictures and a flowing text - good work.

 

[Racey]

Some of your pictures are fantastic...maybe you should put all this in a book.
I'd buy it..

Keep it commin.....

I'll second that. You have a flare for brilliant pictures and a flowing text - good work.

Hmmm... Food for thought - but this is proving enough of a Herculean task !!

Thanks for the comments - appreciated...

 

[Decster]

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/yL73zZRA3kExphJGWGjKqQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJeZ3om20ajSAw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S4egdfZnXTI/AAAAAAAADPo/YA0PSNnMtWA/s800/L1010507%20edit.jpg" /></a>

front page pic.

Great Stuff Simon...keep rolling it out.