Turbo Tero Time in Death Valley Natl Park

[e-levity]

In August remnants of hurricane Hillary made it to Death Valley and dumped 2.2” of rain in 36 hours (the average annual total is only 2.1”). Flood runoff caused lots of erosion in normally dry canyons and washes and covered many roads with debris. This led to road closures, and as a result of the crazy US government shutdown cleanup has been paused. But as the saying goes “every cloud (hurricane) has a silver lining”. Some roads closed to vehicles eventually opened to hikers and cyclists .

We waited until daytime high temperatures cooled to less than 90F and headed there for a few days with our Tero X 6 ebikes. Here are some pics from Day 1. We rode from our Furnace Creek campground to Badwater Basin and then up and over Artist Drive, 42 miles, 3100 ft, of blissfu riding with no cars or RVs! We only saw two other bikers over 3+ hours.

Great news!

Alone in a shady Badwater Basin.
Salt flats are in the distance, Telescope Peak (11,000 ft) in the background.

A view back from the salt flat -
bikes are on the lower left
white sign on the upper right is sea level (282 ft above)

view from Artist Drive
we had the road to ourselves

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

In August remnants of hurricane Hillary made it to Death Valley and dumped 2.2” of rain in 36 hours (the average annual total is only 2.1”). Flood runoff caused lots of erosion in normally dry canyons and washes and covered many roads with debris. This led to road closures, and as a result of the crazy US government shutdown cleanup has been paused. But as the saying goes “every cloud (hurricane) has a silver lining”. Some roads closed to vehicles eventually opened to hikers and cyclists .

We waited until daytime high temperatures cooled to less than 90F and headed there for a few days with our Tero X 6 ebikes. Here are some pics from Day 1. We rode from our Furnace Creek campground to Badwater Basin and then up and over Artist Drive, 42 miles, 3100 ft, of blissfu riding with no cars or RVs! We only saw two other bikers over 3+ hours.

DANG! Photos are too large for the server!
I‘ll have to generate lower res versions. . . .

Eager to see the photos! File size limit is under 2.0 MB.

 

[e-levity]

Thanks, Jeremy.

Managed to shrink them down for the server.

 

[Chargeride]

In August remnants of hurricane Hillary made it to Death Valley and dumped 2.2” of rain in 36 hours (the average annual total is only 2.1”). Flood runoff caused lots of erosion in normally dry canyons and washes and covered many roads with debris. This led to road closures, and as a result of the crazy US government shutdown cleanup has been paused. But as the saying goes “every cloud (hurricane) has a silver lining”. Some roads closed to vehicles eventually opened to hikers and cyclists .

We waited until daytime high temperatures cooled to less than 90F and headed there for a few days with our Tero X 6 ebikes. Here are some pics from Day 1. We rode from our Furnace Creek campground to Badwater Basin and then up and over Artist Drive, 42 miles, 3100 ft, of blissfu riding with no cars or RVs! We only saw two other bikers over 3+ hours.

View attachment 201487
Great news!

View attachment 201488
Alone in a shady Badwater Basin.
Salt flats are in the distance, Telescope Peak (11,000 ft) in the background.

View attachment 201489
A view back from the salt flat -
bikes are on the lower left
white sign on the upper right is sea level (282 ft above)

View attachment 201490
view from Artist Drive
we had the road to ourselves

Badwater Basin, I hear ole Iron tooth McClaw got the bullet with his name on it in them parts.

 

[Extreme1]

We’re headed to Death Valley for the 1/2 Century on November 14, 15 and 16. Looking forward to it.

Theres about 150 riders signed up so far.

 

[e-levity]

We’re headed to Death Valley for the 1/2 Century on November 14, 15 and 16. Looking forward to it.

Theres about 150 riders signed up so far.

You should be fine. The roads to Badwater and to/from Daylight Pass for the full century are all open.

 

[Extreme1]

You should be fine. The roads to Badwater and to/from Daylight Pass for the full century are all open.

Okay thank you. I was concerned about that after reading your post.

 

[e-levity]

Day 2 - Mrs e-levity playing on 20 Mule Team Road and side canyons

 

[e-levity]

Day 3 - just used the bikes for a short ride from camp to hike the Golden Canyon to Gower Wash loop (apx. 6 miles)

above Golden Canyon, valley floor starting point visible middle left
the trail takes you over the ridge just below the peak on the right

heading over to Gower Wash - the sunbrella provided the only reliable shade!

 

[e-levity]

Day 4 (last ride day ) - we decided to ride back to Badwater and make some sidetrips to a “bridge” and a “golf course”.

The Badwater salt flats extend about 5 miles across to the Panamint Mtns

After Badwater we went to see a Natural Bridge in this canyon

it was a bit of a ride and hike to the bridge, but worth the effort

There were nice views through the bridge to the valley floor below

Riding back down the 10+ percent grade

Further along we took a detour to the “Devil’s Golf Course”, a jumbled collection of salt crystal formations. Try finding your white golfball here

The road back even had it’s own salty flavor

In the four hours we were out we only met three others, all cyclists. Heading back to camp we almost felt like we were riding in our own private National Park.

It was so serene being able to ride without the usual park traffic!
We’re looking forward to the next hurricane deluge leading to road closures

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Fabulous cycling experience! Wish I was there.

Further along we took a detour to the “Devil’s Golf Course”, a jumbled collection of salt crystal formations. Try finding your white golfball here

Having low frustration tolerance, I always assumed that the devil was behind golf. Pure sadistic genius to trick humans into trying to use large muscles and joints throughout the body to perform a fine motor task vastly better suited to the hands.

She must be particularly proud of that course.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm again grateful to Mr. and Mrs. e-levity for reporting the beautiful Death Valley trips! I can remember they had another expedition in March 2022, riding modified Vado SLs. I already know I wouldn't ever make to the area so it is my pleasure to watch my proxies doing the trip!