Mar. 28-31, 2013 Death Valley Noob's Rally

[GSequoia]

I know, I just signed up and I'm already talking about changing...

I was talking with Garret, Standby #221 and we can split a site if needed. Also can we go to a Truck/trailer in as plan A and MC in as plan B (if no truck spaces I'm okay with riding my 650 up while his 400 screams along!).

So...

220: Geoff (GSequoia) TR3/MC3, D3, KLR650

[FYYFF]

All list is updated, INs, Waiting List and f800gs as well.

[NSFW]

Originally Posted by Pomo

Congrats! Now get some crash bars, a skidplate, handguards, and knobbies and you are set!

chris and OTHERS, if you want some TOURATECH PARTS, i have a voucher 10% discount code + free shipping - GOOD FOR TODAY ONLY

send me a PM for the code

[isaac004]

GSequoia, you have the front Six Days tire. I will PM you about pick up.

[NSFW]

Originally Posted by Buster714

Absolutely.

If anyone needs anything to prepare for the event don't hesitate to contact us.

my klim mojave came in today....

and just ordered new did chains...

Originally Posted by Buster714

SAVE UP TO $60 A PAIR ON KLIM OFF-ROAD PANTS NOW.

Baja Pant $99.99
Chinook Pant $109.99
Mojave Pant $109.99
Dakar Pant $119.99

See them all here... Klim Off-Road Pants

Stock is limited. Don't wait.

folks, you can't go wrong with the klims

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by NSFW

folks, you can't go wrong with the klims

Oooh, I really want the Dakars but I don't know what size I'll be by then!

[Pomo]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

Oooh, I really want the Dakars but I don't know what size I'll be by then!

You can more or less safely order a size up if you're right on an even size. I have some Baja pants in a 34 that fit me perfectly, and a 36 long Dakar that I can cinch the adjusters all the way in to fit. As an added bonus the bigger size lets me put waterproof or insulated (or both) layers underneath.

[tbarstow]

Here is a small list of my general riding tips for Noobs in Death Valley:

Sand - this is the desert, there will be sand, so stop crying about it. Many of the sandy sections in Death Valley are not obvious, as the loose sand and hard packed areas look exactly the same. A couple of things happen when you enter a sandy or soft section. First, your front tire digs in, then the rest your bike starts to push it through the sand instead of over the top of it. Then your bike slows down causing your to weave around, making the sand snakes. When your bike starts weaving around, you drop your visual lead to your front tire, then you crash. To help avoid making sand snakes and crashing, you need to roll on the throttle and keep your visual lead UP. DO NOT PANIC and put a death grip on the bars or try to fight the bars. The bike will dance under you, but you will keep going where you are looking. Steer with your feet and keep breathing.

Washboard - Due to the relatively high amounts of traffic some of the roads in Death Valley see (West Side Road for example), they tend to become washboarded. Riding on washboards is made more comfortable by finding a speed that you are OK with AND allows the suspension on your bike to absorb the bumps. It may be disconcerting initially, but most noobs need to speed up a bit to get the suspension to do its job and eat the little washboard bumps for you.

Tire Pressure - For most parts of Death Valley, higher tire pressures are recommended to deal with the ever present rocks. Yes, you may sacrifice some traction, but not getting pinch flats, slashed tires, or turning your rims into tacos is a decent trade off.

Visual Lead - Maintain a good visual lead and stay tuned in to the trails and roads. Look where you want to go, not at the ground under your front wheel, or you'll go there. Depending upon weather conditions, there may be extreme amounts of dust. Please do not charge into a heavy dust cloud, as there is a good reason for the cloud, including but not limited to: terrain change, obstacles, hard braking for stopped or crashed riders, silt beds, deep ruts, sand drifts, etc...

Group Riding - Group riding is a different animal. First off, the only person responsible for your riding is YOU. You are the one behind the handlebars and the one controlling your bike. The riders in a group tend to sort themselves out by experience and comfort zone speeds, with the faster riders normally ending up in the front. When starting out in a group and getting sorted out, please be courteous when you pass, stop at intersections and make sure the rider following you sees which way you are going, and know who the sweep rider is. If you come upon a rider in distress (broken bike, broken rider, Joel under his motorcycle and off the road) stop at a place that is safe to stop and that you can get started at again, then help. Please note, that taking pictures of Joel before helping him is perfectly acceptable.

Breakdowns - If a bike is broken beyond a trailside fix, it may be towed out by experienced riders or abandoned until retrieval with another vehicle is possible.

Emergencies - At all times, please ride within your abilities, as most of Death Valley is very remote, devoid of cell phone service, and not a great place to get injured or break your bike. In the event that something bad happens, you need to be responsible for yourself and your survival. You are not in the suburbs, so even with your SPOT and riding in a group, emergency medical help is hours away depending on where you are at. Your emergency kit should include an emergency bottle of water (pack this away so you can't just grab it and drink it whenever you stop), high energy snacks, an emergency blanket, flashlight, and a first aid kit. Size these items so you could sustain yourself overnight if needed. Ride leaders may elect to split the group up and get other riders back to civilization, while asking for volunteers to stay with an injured rider until help arrives.

Medical Conditions - I'm not trying to break HIPPA laws or make people uncomfortable, but if you have a medical condition that could be an issue while riding (bad heart, diabetes, allergies, or in my case, hairy palms and vision loss), please let your ride leader know and have some ICE information accessible.

Health Insurance - Please have health insurance if you're getting on a motorcycle.

[GSequoia]

Do you guys tend to coordinate 2-meter radios? Provided I make the cut I'll be brining my 5w handheld, that'll get you pretty far on 2 meter. I'd love to say I'll have my grand plan of bike radio done by then but no way, I procrastinate too much and procrastinating proper tires is higher on my priority list.

[tbarstow]

Originally Posted by GSequoia

Do you guys tend to coordinate 2-meter radios? Provided I make the cut I'll be brining my 5w handheld, that'll get you pretty far on 2 meter. I'd love to say I'll have my grand plan of bike radio done by then but no way, I procrastinate too much and procrastinating proper tires is higher on my priority list.

We have not used radios in the past. DV is huge, with plenty of mountains to block signals. Even trying to have somebody back at Panamint just monitoring SPOTs doesn't work well, as there is very little internet bandwidth. Keeping a printed copy of your SAR information with you and readily retrievable is the best bet.

[GSequoia]

Originally Posted by tbarstow

We have not used radios in the past. DV is huge, with plenty of mountains to block signals. Even trying to have somebody back at Panamint just monitoring SPOTs doesn't work well, as there is very little internet bandwidth. Keeping a printed copy of your SAR information with you and readily retrievable is the best bet.

I'll have mine with me. I'll do a bit of research about repeaters beforehand and try ot remember to do some trial and error at the event (will probably have too much fun and forget). It's a lot easier doing the comms with the Jeep club since most of us on 2m have 50 watts or greater to play with. Line of sight I've probably gotten about 75 miles out of 5 watts before, mountains and shit do tend to be annoying though!

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Pomo

You can more or less safely order a size up if you're right on an even size. I have some Baja pants in a 34 that fit me perfectly, and a 36 long Dakar that I can cinch the adjusters all the way in to fit. As an added bonus the bigger size lets me put waterproof or insulated (or both) layers underneath.

Yeah, but I intend on being 25 or 30 lbs lighter than I am now. That will probably be more than a size down.

[Pomo]

Originally Posted by tbarstow

stop at intersections and make sure the rider following you sees which way you are going, and know who the sweep rider is

The golden rule of group riding. Forgetting this rule is how shit goes sideways. Don't be that guy (or gal).

[GalacticGS]

Tim - I joined your Saturday Titus Canyon Ride and will volunteer to ride sweep.

[NSFW]

+ 1 on what timmy said.

Originally Posted by Pomo

The golden rule of group riding. Forgetting this rule is how shit goes sideways. Don't be that guy (or gal).

yes!

my least favorite experience - drove 12 hours to get to the rally, we're all knew to the area. the rider in front of us didn't wait, we, 6 or so of us ended up riding the pavement the whole morning.....

Originally Posted by GalacticGS

Tim - I joined your Saturday Titus Canyon Ride and will volunteer to ride sweep.

hey larry - thanks, i finally figured out who was donating the $150 wolfman luggage gift certificate....


another good news....

KLIM will be there at the rally, with lots of good stuff......