Cycling in Death Valley, CA

Last year we did a 50 mile bike ride in Death Valley.  We learned a lot--like, don’t ever do that again. 

We rode 25 miles with about 2400 elevation gain up Death Valley, in Death Valley heat, in the beast of the afternoon. 

This year, we were smarter.  I bought bike mounts for the pickup so that we could drive down into the valley in the morning.  With this method our large elevation gain was in the “cool” of the mornings.  Then, when it warmed up, we were riding mostly downhill.  And when we got half-way done with the ride, we were at our camper, with food and cool water, instead of being in the desert.

Worked!

Did one ride, felt good. 

For the second ride we made a further adjustment—got up 1 ½ hours earlier.  We left the campground at 6:00, so we could start riding at first light when we were 20 miles down the valley.

 

 

The first time we tried our new plan the weather did not cooperate.  Rode only 5 miles up the Valley, turned around, and rode down to the truck and did a hike instead.  Why?  30 mph winds in our faces.  And we weren’t at the worst of our climb yet.  We were struggling to keep the bikes at 5 mph on flats!  We knew we could pound our way through this gale on the miles of fairly steep inclines, but the effects would be felt on our knees, which wasn’t wise.  It would also take forever, and not be safe because we couldn’t hear cars coming so I could watch to make sure they pulled over for us. 

Besides, this is supposed to be fun, and it wasn’t. Vicky took a photo of me showing the strength of the wind.  

Since we couldn’t bike ride that day, we decided to hike.  Vicky had brought some hiking clothes, but I hadn’t.  So I hiked up Titus Canyon in my biking clothes, looking like an idiot.

 

And it just so happened that it was “Let’s all go hiking! Day” in Titus Canyon.  Dozens of hikers.  Last year we did this hike and ran into perhaps two or three.

One said:  “lose your bike?”   

Our third ride was more successful.  Lots of fun.  

 

 

The ride has 2900 foot elevation gain in 40 miles.  2300 of it on the way up, so we coasted a lot the last hour.  Wheeeee!