DEATH VALLEY BIKE RIDE, 2nd Annual March 18-19, 1989 Igor Mamedalin, Ron Jones, Leora Stoler & Suzanne Thomas

After a successful Death Valley bike ride in 1988, the leaders endeavored to institutionalize the Spring bike ride through the National Monument by planning another one for 1989. A new route was chosen with Leora Stoler graciously volunteering to be the sag wagon operator again. This years ride was to begin at Stovepipe Wells after Suzanne Thomas had ferried the participants meeting outside the Monument in Nevada. Suzanne managed to round up only two bike riders in Nevada; the other bike riders chose to meet at Stovepipe Wells. Nonetheless, with a late start of 9:00 AM seven riders hit the road; recovering from an aerobics accident Suzanne joined Leora as the backup sag wagon operator. The day was warm as we headed north toward Scotty's Castle. The leader had planned a 75 mile ride with 3,000' elevation gain for that day. Halfway to Scotty's the first rider, Roy Bishop, hit the sag wagon- mechanical difficulties. Three quarters of the way to Scotty's two other riders, Nancy and Gloria, decided to bike back to Stovepipe Wells where they left their car (promising to meet us that evening in Nevada). Arriving at Scotty's for a late lunch, the leader realized that over 3,000' elevation has already been gained that day and the pass into Nevada was still ahead - ooops! With the realization that we had another 1,200' of elevation to gain, we lost another rider to the sag wagon.- Andrew Brits. The late afternoon push over the pass was not a breeze; at the top of the pass the sag wagon claimed another victim -- Ron Jones. The last 12 miles from the pass to that evening's camp spot was relatively flat as the leader pumped his buns off trying to make the most of the setting sun and trying to catch up to Keith Jones, Ron's son, who had been consistently in the lead and out of sight. Yep, Saturday's leg of the ride was a bit more than was bargained for. That evening's campsite was a few miles in from the highway on the dirt road leading to the Wiley Green Mine at an abandoned (bunny?) ranch site. A pleasant campfire with lot's of goodies and drink for the aching bodies was had by all. Nancy and Gloria arrived that evening as promised -- finding us at night in the middle of the desert attests to their qualifications as desert rat initiates. The trip participants (pussyfoots) overwhelmingly voted that night around the campfire to delete the leg of the ride along Nevada 95 from the next day's plans. Sunday morning, after losing Roy and Andrew to the allure of an alternate mode of transportation, the remaining riders and sag wagon operators drove to the Amargosa Hot Spring for a pleasant bath and then to Rhyolite for a tour of the old mining town and of the unique sculptures at the town's entrance (and/or exit). The group then parted way at the junction with the Titus Canyon road: the mountain bikers (Ron, Keith, Nancy and Gloria) hit the dirt road through the canyon; the remaining road bikers (Tanya Mamedalin and the leader) continued along highway 374 into Death Valley. The ride from Daylite Pass into the Valley was an enjoyable breeze with over 4,000' of elevation loss. The mountain bikers were met at the mouth of Titus Canyon and transported back to their vehicles left in Nevada. Their ride proved to be quite arduous but enjoyable with only one flat suffered by Keith. The second annual Death Valley bike ride ended successfully -- with plans laid for the third annual ride in 1990 (with perhaps a less ambitious itinerary). Many thanks to Leora Stoler and Suzanne Thomas for patiently overseeing the riders and catering to their comfort and needs.

-- Igor.

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