Death Valley Jan 19-21, 2018

[Chris Roady]

I hope many of you will want to ride to DV January 19-21, 2018. The ride on the 19th will include a few ghost towns (potentially Randsburg and Darwin) and end at Panamint Springs Resort. Please take a look at their web site to see the available accommodations. They have motel rooms, full RV hook ups, dry camping and even 2 & 4 person tent cabins (my personal preference). They also have a restaurant, small store and fuel.

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We will set out from Panamint Springs the morning of the 20th after breakfast for a fun/full day in Death Valley. There are a number of interesting sights and I welcome input on points of interest from any and all as we finalize routes. The night of the 20th, we will be holed up at the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. It is a fun, funky Rte 66 type motel with a nice congregation area for a campfire and bench racing after the days ride. It has hot spring baths as well, but you’ll have to ask Dave Eastly about them as I have never ventured in :-0. There is a small restaurant a few miles away that can accommodate us for dinner and breakfast as well.
http://www.tecopahotsprings.org/TecopaHotSprings/Home.html

The 21st will be a return ride home after breakfast with a jaunt through Joshua Tree National Park, to ease some of the required monotony of freeway after we hit the Palmn Springs area .. there are alternate routes avoiding the Park for those that might need to head home a little more directly.

I have sent inquiries to both resorts requesting a block or rooms and camping sites as well as possible group rates. I will update this thread with that information as soon as it is available. It has been impressed upon me that blocking the time for the trip requires more finesse by some folks than it does for us retired types who can go at the drop of a hat, so I thought I would start this thread before I have all the pieces of the trip sewn up. Hope it sounds good to y’all 🙂

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[Troy Stone]

Looks like a blast. You can count Michele and Troy Stone in as attending.

[David Omlor]

Great Plan! I am anxious to ride again.

Reservations made at both locations!!!

[Karl Wagner]

Great plan, alot of options…..going to be a fun weekend in January!!! We are in!

[Chris Roady]

* Update *
I heard back from Tecopa Hot Springs:

Hi Chris,
Nice to hear from you. Look forward to hosting your group again.

January 20 is a Saturday and a busy time. Weather permitting there will be music on stage, Bistro open and fun. Rooms are $95 plus tax for one or two people and $10 plus tax per extra person. There are rooms with 2 queen beds and a few with 1 king bed. We generally fill up so hard to offer discount on weekend night. Still a great deal in our opinion. I can block rooms for you and folks can call to reserve room or they can book on line or by calling 760 852 4420. There is a 72 hour cancellation policy so plenty of time to back out if need be.

Office hours are generally noon – 5pm. If on line booking there is a preference section they can enter your group SCBMWRC. I can move people around later if need be. FYI rooms 13 – 8 are the south side of the motel. 14 – 19 are on the north side.

Based on this, I would suggest booking sooner rather than later (I have already reserved room #11) with the knowledge that you can cancel within 72 hours of the ride if something comes up. Im going to book Panamint Springs now also, even though I have not heard back from my inquiry to them.

[Chuck Waychoff]

Thanks Chris! I have a room at Tecopa Hot Springs reserved for Sat night Jan 20. Looking forward to it!

[David Eastly]

I’m in. I did the trial run with Chris and the gang last January, and it was a blast! Tecopa Hot Springs is funky but cool, and the fire pit gathering area is perfect. If we’re lucky, we’ll get another drum solo from Karl!

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[Dan Burtt]

Thanks for the room Chuck. I am all set. Is there any meet up point for south county riders on Friday?

[Karl Wagner]

Hah Eastly….. you better play a round with the band playing that night!!!

Just got room #10 next to Roady to keep an eye on him for Julie……. We get the hot spring first Chris!

Going to be a blast!

K

[Michael Pirosh]

My favorite place. Made reservations and am really looking forward to it.

[Chris Roady]

I heard back from Panamint Springs also, but frankly I don’t know how to respond to them since I am hesitant to specify what “type”of rooms any of you might be interested in. I’m going to see if they can just hold us 6 rooms (without specifying the types) and assume others will camp … I think as long as reservations for Friday are made early enough, it shouldn’t be an issue … anyone that waits to long can just Camp at another members site perhaps.

Hello Chris Roady,

Thank you for contacting Panamint Springs Resort! Depending on which room types and campground sites you would prefer, I can block these units out for you under the name of “SCBMWRC” and set up a password for your group so that they may contact our front desk either by phone at 775-482-7680 or by e-mailing me directly at [email protected] to reserve the rooms or sites under their individual names. We have the following units available for January 19, 2018, of which I have included the rates as well:

3 Rooms available with one queen bed rent for $74.00 + tax ($82.88) each, per night
6 Rooms available with 2 Beds (1 Queen, 1 Double) rent for $89.00 + tax ($99.68) each, per night
2 Rooms available with 3 Beds (1 Queen, 2 Doubles) rent for $104.00 + tax ($116.48) each, per night
The cottage suite (with a queen bed in one room, and a full and a twin in bunk-bed style in the other) rents for $144.00 + tax ($161.28), per night
6 Cabins with one queen bed and outside porch and grilling area rent for $89.00 + tax ($99.68) each, per night
1 Cabin with one King bed and outside porch and grilling area rent for $99.00 + tax ($110.88), per night
1 Cabin with two twin beds in bunk style and one double bed and outside porch and grilling area rent for $104.00 + tax ($116.48), per night

For our campground sites, we do not add tax to the reservation total:
6 RV Full Hook-up Sites for $35.00 each, per night
9 RV Dry Sites for $20.00 each, per night
2 Large Tent Cabins for $50.00 each, per night
7 Small Tent Cabins for $35.00 each, per night
21 Standard Tent Sites for $10.00 each, per night

We can hold the rooms until two weeks prior to the check-in date, which would be January 5, 2018, and then release the remaining rooms back to the public. Please let me know how you would like to proceed with these reservations, as we would love to have you all stay with us!

Best Regards,

Leigh McLendon
General Store &
Front of House Motel Manager
Panamint Springs Resort

[Brandon Wilson]

I am for sure in for the ride, but would tent camp if that is an option nearby. It does look like there is a campground but maybe a bit shady :S

[Chris Roady]

Brandon, tent camping is available at both locations.

[Troy Stone]

Brandon,

The Stones are tent camping at both. I reserved one of the tents at Panamint and am waiting on a call back from Tecopa to book a tent spot there.

Should be good camping!!

[Troy Stone]

Camping update at Tacopa Springs….I just got a call from Tecopa Springs. They have plenty of dry camping spots and stated no reservation is necessary for Saturday night.

[Steve Hughson]

Hey Brandon,
Do you have room for me in your camping area? This sounds like a fun trip and I’d like to joint you if possible.

[Brandon Wilson]

Steve,

I am going to call Panamint springs this weekend and find out if more than one tent per spot, but I think it is one tent per. Saturday night looks like a win already w/no reservations required.

[Chris Roady]

My brother and I have pitched 2 tents per site before although the web site says 1 tent per site. Tent sites are $10.

[Vern Shrader]

Chris,

Since Robin and I will be coming up from San Diego (May stay locally in OC 01/18/18) where is your planned departure point for the trip to Panamint Springs??

Vern Shrader

[Chris Roady]

Vern,
I was thinking Flo’s Airport in Chino would be a good place to start the ride. It provides good group parking, a hearty breakfast for those who want one (which I assume means EVERYONE in this eating club that rides BMW’s 🙂 ) and space for a pre-ride meeting. Hope that would work out well for you.

[Vern Shrader]

Chris,
Works great! We will plan to stay in Chino Hill on 18th and meet the group at Flo’s for breakfast. Any thoughts on breakfast ETA and trip departure times? Maybe we can chat at Christmas Party?

[Dan Burtt]

What time at Flo’s?

[Chris Roady]

Look forward to it Vern. Haven’t worked out the details yet, but will get busy now that Dec is here !

[mark nagel]

Hi everyone, had some health issues but finally back riding again. My first weekend ride with the club was to Death Valley in 2012. Was a great trip can’t wait to go again. Is the a meeting place set up for the morning of the 19th? We started in Barstow last time I went. This will be my first long ride after 3+ years of not riding so hopefully I’ll be able to keep up.
Mark Nagel
’05 K1200S

[Chris Roady]

Glad you’re coming Mark. We’re going to meet at Flo’s Airport Cafe in Chino this time. I haven’t locked everything down yet, but am thinking I may have a 2nd meet up spot in Randsberg later in the morning for any that want to pass on riding to Chino for the initial leg of the trip.

[mark nagel]

I live off Bundy Canyon and the 15 so Flo’s works great for me

[Chris Roady]

Roberto let me know yesterday that Tecopa Hot Springs (night 2) is out of rooms. He was able to book at the Delight Hot Springs Resort, which is just up the street from Tecopa Hot Springs.

http://www.delightshotspringsresort.com/

Book now if you are planning on joining us on this fun trip. I would also ask for any and all who are attending to please update the ride list to indicate your attendance. It will help me with some of the planning details I need to work out.

Thanks

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[Roberto Giraldes]

I intend to head to Panamint Resort on Thursday and ride on the desert on Friday. Is anyone willing to go and ride on dirt roads?

[Karl Wagner]

Well, I am interested Roberto……. will see how work and weather go….. Wish I could my friend!

[David Omlor]

Hmmmm…..will this route you plan accommodate a RT with street tires 🙂 ?

[Roberto Giraldes]

Karl and David. I am waiting for an answer from Danny to see if he can go on Thursday to ride on dirty roads on Friday. I am thinking about going to Teakettle Junction, Racetrack and maybe Ubehebe Crater. In that case David, RT with street tires is not appropriate. As it is not safe to ride alone in the desert, if he could not come, maybe we can go to Ubehebe Crater, taking I believe a tarmac road which appears on the map.

[Bill Reitz]

The road to Ubehebe Crater is paved all the way and ends at a LARGE parking lot. Take pictures if you climb to the bottom !!
Before riding toward Ubehebe check with the National Park Service that you can get to the road since it’s on the way to Scotty’s Castle, which is closed.

[David Omlor]

Thank you, Bill, for sharing your deep knowledge of all destination roads.

Butler Maps should hire you!!!

[Bill Reitz]

Thanks David. Butler & Mad Maps tried to hire me but, combined, they couldn’t make enough chocolate chip cookies. 😁

[Karl Wagner]

Roberto may be taking the dirt road up the West side of that valley to get to the Urebe Crater, I know he is interested in getting off road. There are some small canyons along the West side of the valley heading up towards the crater that are interesting. Once at the crater you can jump on pavement if you like to get back, or come back down other trails in the valley, just not that interesting.

I would highly recommend thinking about riding the one way Titus Canyon road. It is absolutely beautiful, graded dirt road most of the way, a bit of sand in short spots, only GS in my recommendation…..

Karl

[Roberto Giraldes]

Thank you so much Bill and Karl. I am going to follow your recommendation Karl. Titus Canyon!

[DAVID BASING]

I am keen to ride on this trip and would like to ride dirt very much. I have a 1200GS. I can do Thursday to Sunday. I have made no bookings. Camping or hotel is good to go. Thank you David Basing 9492881063

[Karl Wagner]

You will not regret it Roberto, and if there is any way I can join you, you bet I will!

[Roberto Giraldes]

I am sure I will not Karl. Put the knobby tires on and let’s go. Thanks again. Hi David Basing! Wellcome. We intend to leave on Thursday morning and I will give more details later. But first, you should book a place to stay.

[Karl Wagner]

Yeah well, “*%it” happens….. Have a must attend meeting on Thursday the 18th and two “should” attend meetings on the 19th…… This “Work” thing is really getting me down….

Let’s hope schedules change and I can make the trip at all….. worst case would be to ride up Saturday and meet the group at the second night vendue…

Enjoy Titus Canyon!

[Chris Roady]

Karl, the Friday Death Valley Ride is a “must attend” meeting, which clearly trumps 2 “should attend” meetings … my $.02

[Karl Wagner]

LOL Chris…. We WILL be there, just may miss the Friday group ride out!!! You can’t get rid of me that easily! 🙂

[Ron Zablocki]

Hey Chris – Are you planning on putting together any GPS routes for this trip?

[Chris Roady]

Yes Rob, I will get one out.

[Ron Zablocki]

Who’s Rob?? 😉

[Chris Roady]

Typo on a small iPad keyboard, sorry 😉

[Bill Reitz]

Hey Chris and all others going to Death Valley here’s the National Park Service site for road closures:

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

[Steve Leo]

Just a reminder not to forget you bathing suits and bottles of good wine as Tacopa Springs supposedly has some pretty good Hot Springs soaking tubs. Don’t think the wine choice there is going to be of the highest level!!!

[Chuck Waychoff]

I have decided to camp on this trip and do not need the hotel reservation I have at Tecopa Hot Springs for Sat night Jan 20. Its room 12 with two beds (I think) for something like $95 plus taxes. Please let me know if anybody wants it before I cancel.

[Chris Roady]

Chuck,
Dan Burtt had asked me about accommodations a week or two back. I sent him an email just now letting him know of your offer.

[Karl Wagner]

Is it REALLY a whole week until we get to ride to Death Valley????

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[Dan Burtt]

Chuck if your reservation is still available I would like to take it. Let me know how you want proceed. Thanks. Dan Burtt. 714-448-2156, [email protected].

[Ron Zablocki]

Someone told me to make sure to check out Artists Loop while in Death Valley, and I’m stoked to see you already have it mapped out – awesome work Chris!

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[Chris Roady]

Thanks Ron, Bill R. mentioned the same thing to me about enjoying Artists Dr 🙂 I think it has been closed on my last few visits, so I am anxious to ride it also … not to mention Butler Maps highlighted it with yellow, their best color for M/C roads.

[Brandon Wilson]

Chris,

This looks great! A lot of new roads for me and looking forward to the adventure. 🙂 My National Park Pass is burning a hole in my pocket already.

[Chris Roady]

Thanks Brandon and you raise a good point. I should probably remind everyone that there is a $20 per motorcycle fee for a 7 day pass to enter Death Valley (I believe Joshua Tree is a separate $20 per motorcycle fee for a 7 day pass to enter, if you plan to ride it on the way home.) YEAH, YEAH, YEAH … I can already hear all you lucky pups who are 62 or older with lifetime passes to all parks .. come September, I’m in the club!!!

[Bill Reitz]

Dan it’s 9am leave Flo’s, I don’t know of a south county ride to Flo’s.

[David Eastly]

Lifetime National Park pass? Yes thanks.

[Ron Zablocki]

Anyone not going to Death Valley and want to loan me your parks pass for the weekend?

[Bill Reitz]

I haven;t been to Death Valley in a few years but there was no “Gate” to go thru to pay your fee. If you stop at a Visitor Center they may/will ask to see your receipt but if you don’t go in then……. so Ron you might not need to borrow.

[Chris Roady]

Bill is correct, it is an honor system at Death Valley, not so at Joshua Tree.

[Karl Wagner]

So, like I am somewhat looking forward to the Death Valley ride…….

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[Chris Roady]

We need a “like button” HAHAHAHAHA Karl 👍🏻

[Mark Borgeson]

If you don’t qualify for the old fart pass, you can get an annual National Park pass for $80. It’s good for 12 months from the date of purchase. Most park entrance fees are $20 so you’ll break even after 4 visits.

[Karl Wagner]

Roady….. we need a good weather dance or something….. Friday PM is trending damp…. and while you all will be nice an cozy in the hotel, that is exactly when we will be riding in! 🙂

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[Chris Roady]

Oh ye of little faith 👍🏻

[Karl Wagner]

Well ……

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[Chris Roady]

Friday
* Breakfast 8:00am @ Flo’s in Chino (or home, or ??)
* Lunch … 12:30 Esparza Family Restaurant 13223 Main St, Trona
* Dinner 6:00pm @ Panamint Springs Restaurant

Saturday
* Breakfast Panamint Springs
* Lunch @ Date Grove Diner in Furnace Creek
* Dinner 6:00 pm @ Crowbar Cafe & Saloon in Shoshone

Sunday
* Breakfast @ Crowbar Cafe & Saloon in Shoshone
* Lunch in Joshua Tree ?

[Brandon Wilson]

Who says we are the ride to eat club? 🙂 I can already hear my gut getting fatter.

Catching up on the thread, I think if you don’t have one and are not part of the geezer club for park passes, I already paid mine off in visits but it really does depend on how many times you think you will visit. I think it is worth it. Only 20 years to go for me to join the geezer club for national park passes. Quite possible by then, they will charge me double!

I was just checking the weather, and it looks like the rain chances have evaporated. Partly cloudy with a high of 71 and a low of 46. I will keep my frog togs handy regardless.

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[Chris Roady]

Yeah Brandon, the wise guy pass (you are living dangerously and significantly outnumbered with the ageism bs :- ) went up 800% this year from $10 to $80 … I don’t see one in your future 😂

[Brandon Wilson]

Chris,

Oh so true and I was hoping to catch some hell for my smart ass comments. 🙂 Looking very forward to this weekend boys and girls! :d

[Bill Reitz]

Oh Chris…… I hate to bug you again BUT on the #4 GPX route waypoint 12 & 14 need to be exchanged. You enter Artist Drive on the south end (#14) and exit on the north (#12), following this route will have you going against the flow of traffic. Better yet just have two waypoints, 12 to enter on the south end and 13 to exit the one way road.

[Chris Roady]

*** THAT’S ALL FOLKS ***

This has been a wonderful reminder to me of why I enjoy Butler paper maps .. but I digress. I am removing old versions from this thread to avoid adding confusion. I will not be updating this again … like it, don’t … use it, don’t … edit your copy, don’t … it’s all up to you from now on 🙂 Below will be the route I will be leading from.

Here is a repeat of some of the important info that was contained in my earlier post that I deleted:

* Looks like we will have between 20-25 attendees
* We average 240 miles a day with opportunities for additional miles for those who want them
* I have set up each day as 9:00AM start times. After day 1, we have some flexibility if the group would like to adjust the start time, we just want to be cognizant of losing daylight and falling temperatures with sunset. For Day 1, I ask for timeliness please, I don’t want to impact any potential meetups in Randsburg.
* 9:00 AM – Kickstands up from Flo’s Airport Diner at the Chino Airport.
* If you plan to eat a good breakfast @ Flo’s, please arrive early enough (probably an hour) to not hold up our departure
* Address is 7000 Merrill Ave, Chino

A couple of other things to keep in mind:
* No cell coverage is normal in DV
* I do carry a satellite communicator for emergency response in the event we need help but don’t have coverage
* Weather projection is 60-64 highs and 39-40 lows
* Not many restaurant options .. sorry to the foodies in the group
* Not a ton of gas stations so use the old dirt biking in Baja mantra … if you have any doubt “don’t pass gas”

I cant wait to get off this computer and back to beautiful DV, sit around the campfire with y’all, ride some GREAT twisites ..

FINAL UPDATE (no, I mean it … FINAL :- )

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[Ron Zablocki]

Awesome – thanks Chris! I’m sure the next one will be much easier. 🙂

[David Omlor]

I have made the tough decision to forego participation in this ride due to the weather forecast. This will insure that there will be dry and warm riding for every one – you’re welcome!

The good news is that there is now a room available at Panamint Springs (Unit K) and also a room (Room 17) available at Tecopa Hot Springs for any campers who prefer warm, dry accommodations.

Ride Safe, y’all and enjoy,
– David

[Chris Roady]

You’ll be missed David 👍🏻

[Troy Stone]

Hey David

I’ll take those rooms if they are still available. If you prepaid I’ll reimburse you so let me know what to do!

Troy

[Brandon Wilson]

Sorry to see that you will not make it David. But the weather does look nice and cool! 🙂

[David Omlor]

Hey Troy, were you able to snag those rooms?

[Ron Zablocki]

We appreciate all that you do for us David! 😉

[David Omlor]

It is my pleasure – Thank You!

[David Eastly]

Sorry you can’t make it, David!

[Troy Stone]

David

So far I I have one of the two booked and waiting on Panamint to return a call! See what happens and I’ll let you know.

Thanks again!

[Bikram]

Thanks Chris for planning the DV ride. I enjoyed the fun trip with good food and a great company of fellow riders.

[Chris Roady]

Thanks for the post Bikram, I hope everyone enjoyed the trip. It was fun hanging out with you on this trip!!

[Karl Wagner]

We ALL did! Great Ride Leader!!

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[Chris Roady]

didn’t mean to come across as fishing, but thanks Karl

[Author]

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