Badwater 500 2014
January 18th-20th
The Best of Death Valley
Dual Sport and Adventure Bikes
Status: Ride is over and turned out Fun
Pictures from the ride:
Feedback from the ride:
Join us for this 3 day Adventure Ride around Death Valley.
(Note: The places and routes have changed from last year)
Check out my Video Description of the ride
Riding begins Saturday Morning 1/18/2014 in Trona CA
Recommendation: You should arrive Friday night in Ridgecrest, then Saturday morning we will move to Trona the ride staging area. We will leave out Vehicles at on old RV park in Trona.
About the ride:
This is a 3 day ride to explore the best of the back parts of Death Valley.
We will spend each night in a hotel, so we will have a support truck to carry our overnight gear.
The ride will have options of routes to take depending on the level of difficulty that you would like and the weather conditions. This is a scenic ride not a difficult ride. It is a good ride for new riders (Noobs) and a good time to explore Death Valley. There will be about 1/3 to 1/2 Pavement depending on your choices. New riders can choose all pavement if they like. Think Scenic Explorers Ride!
Ride Saturday Day1
Torna to Furnace Creek
From Trona: We ride up the Panamint Valley past the Ghost Town of Ballarat, then it's up Wildrose Canyon. Here there are several side canyons to explore: Charcoal Kilns, Aguereberry Point, Tucki Mine, and Skidoo Mine. Then it is into Stovepipe Wells for Lunch and gas. After lunch it is up Daylight Pass and over to the Keane Wonder Mill. Shorter afternoon bring us into Furnace Creek.
Ride Map Day1 Below
I put these ride maps on the web page because I know a few of you love looking at the ride detail and dreaming about the ride. At first glance these maps do not look so impressive, but they are way cool. If you click the Earth or Satellite tab and start zooming in, you can see the ride in incredible detail. I have spent a ton of hours sorting through the details of the ride for each day, so for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing, well enjoy!
Legend:
The Red lines are Harder routes
The Blue lines are main routes
The Green lines are a mix of easy and paved routes
Ride Sunday Day2 Option1
Badwater and Echo Canyon
From Furnace Creek we ride down the West Side Road along the Badwater Basin. Here there are several side canyons to explore: Trail Canyon, Hanaupah Canyon, and Johnson Canyon. Then on to Shoshone to the Crowbar Cafe & Saloon for lunch. After Lunch it is up Furnace Creek Wash and over Deadmans Pass to the Amargosa Opera House. The day ends with a trip down Echo Canyon. Wow cool. Back to Furnace Creek for Dinner.
Ride Map Day2 Option1 Below
Ride Sunday Day2 Option2
Racetrack
From Furnace Creek we ride up and over Daylight Pass to Titus Canyon, then over to Ubehebe Crater and to Teakettle Junction. Next the route takes us past The Racetrack and down Lippincott Hill, through the Saline Valley and over Hunter Mountain. We get gas in Panamint Springs and then it is through Stovepipe Wells for Ice Cream and back to Furnace Creek for dinner.
Ride Map Day2 Option2 Below
Ride Monday Day3
Furnace Creek to Trona
From Furnace Creek we ride up to Dantes View, one of the best views in Death Valley. Then it is along the Furnace Creek Wash for 30 miles into Shoshone for early lunch and gas. Then down to Ibex Spring Road and Harry Wade road back to the Badwater Basin. We ride up Butte Valley road to Mengal Pass and down Goler Wash back into the Panamint Valley. Finally it is over the Slate Range and back to Trona. Cool ride over.
Ride Map Day3
Signup info:
You will need to make your own motel reservations per below
Make your reservations early as space can be limited
Friday 1/17/2014: Ridgecrest CA: Heritage Inn and Suites 1-855-446-5400
Saturday 1/18/2014 and Sunday 1/19/2014:
Furnace Creek Death Valley:Ranch at Furnace Creek 1-800-236-7916
Monday 1/20/2014: Last day of the ride, you go home.
Cost to join this 3 day ride is $150
The money covers the support truck, the GPS files, both Tracklogs, and GPS Background Maps. I will also provide a printed daily ride plan with printed daily maps, all designed specifically for our route.
To sign up for the ride please use the following form
Questions email: gpsKevin@gmail.com
Do you already know someone that has signed up for this ride? See the list below
News: Jeeps Welcome
I have had several riders that have friends that have Jeeps ask if this ride would be good for Jeeps. The answer is yes, these route and choices are also great for Jeeps, So feel free to invite your Jeep (or other 4x4) buddies along. Make sure they have a gps and have them sign up above. Welcome
How does the ride navigation work?
This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own. You are responsible for your own riding. You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit. People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together. You are not encouraged to ride alone. You are responsible for your own riding and yourself. (see my ride Navigation Video)
Note from me, gpsKevin
My goal for this ride is simple, great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.
But in addition: The ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of Death Valley.
Thanks
gpsKevin
Remember last years ride
Pictures from last years ride below:
"Note we will have a different route from last year including we will lodge in new locations"
FAQ's
Q:What will the weather be like this time of year?
A: In January, the weather is often nice, could be a little cold in the morning and in the mountains. But sometimes there can be rain and snow. Some years the snow in the mountains is a problem. Snow can force us to change our routes. Come prepared with extra gear for cold and wet.
Q: Would this be a good Noobs Ride?
A: Yes, Great place for a new riders to try this stuff out. The riding has easy route choices, and the weather will just be starting to get cold. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.
Q; What do I do if I don't have a garmin gps?
A: Buy one, you need it, we will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for $100 bucks. ( See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)
Q: Is the riding really on my own?
A: Yes, but almost everyone hooks up and rides with a friend, or a new friend.
Go to: New gpsKevin Website