Nevada, Vegas, Death valley trip advice.

[swiss]

Hi am over in vegas for a while with work from the UK. Me and a friend have rented Harley V rods for this weekend 28th Feb.

Was looking at getting away from vegas (much needed) and spotted this website and found this route.

MotoRides.com : Ride Map

Its the death valley, Shoshone to Beatty trip as I cant get the direct link to work.

Am after some advice on your would recommendations on doing this trip at this time of year, weather etc.

I own a bike at home and have done a few trips around Europe but when it comes to this part of the world I havent got a clue of how easy/difficult this will be.

The decision to do this trip rest in your hands.

Thanks, Tony.

[John Ferris]

Yes that is a good ride, go for it.
See the morning repprt for Death Valley below.
http://www.dvnha.org/morning_report/Morning.pdf

[swiss]

Thanks for the reply, we are going to do it as it looks amazing and too good to miss.

Thanks for the link for death valley national park, the extended w.end says possible rain, am guessing it wont be like back home in Scotland when it rains though.

[JMo (& piglet)]

Hi Swiss - that is certainly a nice road ride, but it's a shame you've rented Harleys and not something a little more 'all-road' as there are some lovely unsurfaced/dirt roads in and around Death Valley too... some of the milder ones would not impossible on a Harley, but they would be a handful!

If you're in the Vegas area for a while, and want to head out on a couple of shorter rides at some point, the loop around Lake Mead and then back through the Valley of Fire is another corker (all tarmac), and the loop around Red Rock National Park (west of Vegas) is also very nice - be aware there is a 45mph limit in that park... you could include Red Rock as part of your run out to Death Valley infact...

While you are up near Beatty, do check out the ghost town of Rhyolite - it is one of the few gold rush era towns that had some stone/brick buildings (most ghost towns are piles of timber these days) and also has some fantastic outdoor sculptures and modern art on the edge of town - it's surreal to see an oversize mozaic tiled sofa in the middle of the desert!

xxx

[motoreiter]

las vegas BMW rents R1200GS if you want a dual sport next time.

also, for this kind of detailed info you are way better off going to the relevant regional forum on ADVRider.com, where you'll find many locals who can provide all the information you need and more.

[mollydog]

Can we assume you boys get at least two days away from your minders?

[swiss]

Back in the UK after too much vegas.

The trip that we did over on of the weekends on the Harleys was the highlight off the whole 3 weeks of work/partying in Las Vegas

We went through death valley and ended up around 50 miles north west of Beatty. Came back on the 95 in the dark with sunglasses on to stop the wind from drying my eyes out. Was awesome but would have given anything to have some cats eyes in the road like here in the UK aa most of the way I was riding blind.

Sunday was a chill out ride to the hoover dam and around lake mead, which the weather was warm and sunny and another amazing day.

Would love to ride more around the US but not sure when work will be sending me back, you guys dont know how lucky you are to have all that on your doorstep.

Got a nice 3 week holiday to Thailand in a couple of weeks in which to do the Golden Triangle in the North West of the country starting at Chaing Mia. Difference being I will be on a Honda CB 400 super four instead of a Harley.

Thanks to all.

[JMo (& piglet)]

Glad to hear you had such a good time! Fantastic region isn't it?

People don't believe that at this time of year you can be down on the Vegas valley floor at 70+ degrees, then an hour later be skiing on Mt. Charlston...

Gotta love Nevada!

xxx

[yuma simon]

Originally Posted by swiss

you guys dont know how lucky you are to have all that on your doorstep.

If only you could have headed slightly more eastward--Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, north into the national parks in southern Utah, etc. Then, there are all the Rocky Mountain scenic places slightly more eastward...many scenic places to see in the US west--you need more time!

[Paul Narramore]

I've stopped overnight twice at the only motel at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley. Utter amazing. 105F at midnight, 118F during the day. With no street lights, you'll never see so many stars in your life. The adjoining restaurant was excellent too.