DEATH VALLEY
"D-V" RUN XVIII
AND INTERNATIONAL
ROAD RUN
OCTOBER 2 - 5, 2005
A Unique Desert Tour GUIDED BY MAX BUBECK from
Furnace Creek Ranch in the heart of Death
Valley
This year’s run was slightly
different, not ridden as a single group, but with a destination map and
schedule. Departure times from the
various locations will be set, after which the poop-out pickup will not be
available. Both days will consist of a scenic
loop through the natural wonders of this National Park.
Early birds met up Saturday or
Sunday afternoon in Beatty, Nevada,
where they enjoyed a day and night of gambling fun. They caravanned over to Death
Valley for Monday afternoon bench racing and refreshments.
Everyone joined us Monday,
October 2nd, at Furnace Creek Ranch. Both
days allowed
ample time to see the points of interest and take pictures. The run was limited to 100 riders of Pre-1971
machines. Entries were accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Tuesday morning, the group had
breakfast and then met at 8:30 A.M. by the twenty mule team wagons in front of
the ranch office. We rode to Scotty's
Castle, where the guided tour can be taken.
Food and Gasoline are available at Scotty's Castle. Then on to Ubehebe Crater, Harmony Borax
Works, and other points of interest along the return route to Furnace Creek
Ranch. The length of this ride is 115
miles. Two alternate return routes may
be taken. The first involves thirty miles of graded dirt road through Titus Canyon. The second is up to Beatty Nevada for lunch.
Route maps and instructions will be available to those interested in taking
these routes. However, there were no
poop-out pickups on
these alternate routes so it is advisable to ride as a group on this section of
the run.
At the end of your ride there was100
octane refreshments at the Corkscrew Bar and a refreshing swim in the 85-degree
pool, so bring your swim wear! There
are excellent dining facilities, and a cowboy bar. Dinner is on your own, have fun!! And don’t miss the evening excursions to
go Moonlight stargazing every night.
Wednesday morning we visited Golden Canyon,
Devil's Golf Course, Badwater, Artist
Drive, then back to the Ranch for lunch. We will meet at 1:30 for the ride to Zabriskie Point, 20 Mule
Team Canyon, Dante's View, and return to the Ranch for the usual refreshments
and swim. Total distance for the day
will be 95 miles. Later in the evening
we will gather at the 19th Hole of the golf course for a fabulous outdoor
barbecue and presentation of the Awards.
Everyone gets an award for something.
Bar opens at 6:00,
dinner at 7:00.
The weather in October can be in
the high 90's with the nights in the mid-60s.
Average annual rainfall is 1.70", with October at .11". You'll probably not need rain gear. We will go from -283' at Badwater to 5,475'
at Dante's View. There are some fairly
steep grades for a short distance, both up and down. There are also a few short sections of graded
dirt roads, a bit dusty, but that is all.
Poop-out pickups will cover all sections of the run with the exception
of Titus Canyon.