Momo-san
Peachy!
This ride report is for Budman: it is waaaay more than Facebook ever got 
After occasional mention of wanting to ride to Death Valley, Trplgrl and I finally picked a date and did it! We weren’t opposed to having people join us, but our regular riding buddies weren’t able to go, so it began to feel like an adventure was shaping up that was meant just for us girls. We’ve traveled together before, but this would be the first longer moto trip planned and organized without input from anyone else. This was a little worrisome since bluesboy is usually the one to plan and tell us all where to go :laughing
We planned for a 5-day trip, and when April 10th rolled around (FINALLY!) I was ready.
Day 1: SF to Taft
Leaving San Francisco, we traveled 280 > 85 > 25 and stopped for breakfast at Flapjack’s in Tres Piños. We were making our route up as we went along, so at the end of 25 we stopped to check the map and decide on our next steps. We would be sticking to paved roads throughout the trip since Trplgrl was riding her Speed Triple R and it would be a shame to scratch up all of that pretty white paint.
From 25 we took Peach Tree Rd > Indian Valley Rd. into San Miguel. Beautiful roads with beautiful views:
A short hop down 101 took us to 58 (roller coaster, wheeee!) which led us by the Carrizo Plain National Monument - I would love to stop and explore the area one day, but this day we just kept on keeping on. Then, a short haul on 33 to the glorious town of Taft, where the aroma of crude is in the air. Topper’s Motel was the choice place (out of two) to stay because of the mexican restaurant right next door: margaritas, fajitas, some bad tv and snooooze.
Day 2: Taft to Death Valley
In the morning we gassed up and made our way to Hwy 178 out of Bakersfield. Not much to talk about until you reach the mouth of Kern Canyon, giving us a taste of the beautiful and dramatic landscape that was in store for us. We stopped in Lake Isabella for some food and caffeine - Hmmm, I think this could be a great Barf rally town: classy motels and twisty roads in all directions.
After 178 is a slog up 395, where you enter Inyo County, the home of Death Valley
While stopped for gas along 395, we met a fellow moto traveler, Ian, from the UK. He was asking our opinion on which pass to take over the Sierras. Well, in early April all of his options were still closed, he ended up taking the same pass we did, Walker Pass. Here’s Trplgrl showing him the way
Finally we made it to the stretch of road that would lead us into Death Valley, 195. It is lonely, hot and arrow-straight but while riding alongside Owens Lake (don’t let the name fool you, it is dry, dry, dry) we were compelled to stop. It was one of many places too beautiful to just ride through
Then, finally, Death Valley. We have proof!
The violence involved in shaping DV was immediately apparent
Even though this trip was planned for early spring, deep in the valley it was still 100 degrees. The time of year limited our route options quite a bit, but made exploration of DV more tolerable AND April is the time for mad wildflowers! Arriving at our destination, Stovepipe Wells, we were both ready for a dip in the pool! It turned out Stovepipe was a better place to land than the other option, Furnace Creek, which seemed more expensive and touristy. Plus, Stovepipe had good food, good beer and these gorgeous views:
After occasional mention of wanting to ride to Death Valley, Trplgrl and I finally picked a date and did it! We weren’t opposed to having people join us, but our regular riding buddies weren’t able to go, so it began to feel like an adventure was shaping up that was meant just for us girls. We’ve traveled together before, but this would be the first longer moto trip planned and organized without input from anyone else. This was a little worrisome since bluesboy is usually the one to plan and tell us all where to go :laughing
We planned for a 5-day trip, and when April 10th rolled around (FINALLY!) I was ready.
Day 1: SF to Taft
Leaving San Francisco, we traveled 280 > 85 > 25 and stopped for breakfast at Flapjack’s in Tres Piños. We were making our route up as we went along, so at the end of 25 we stopped to check the map and decide on our next steps. We would be sticking to paved roads throughout the trip since Trplgrl was riding her Speed Triple R and it would be a shame to scratch up all of that pretty white paint.
From 25 we took Peach Tree Rd > Indian Valley Rd. into San Miguel. Beautiful roads with beautiful views:
A short hop down 101 took us to 58 (roller coaster, wheeee!) which led us by the Carrizo Plain National Monument - I would love to stop and explore the area one day, but this day we just kept on keeping on. Then, a short haul on 33 to the glorious town of Taft, where the aroma of crude is in the air. Topper’s Motel was the choice place (out of two) to stay because of the mexican restaurant right next door: margaritas, fajitas, some bad tv and snooooze.
Day 2: Taft to Death Valley
In the morning we gassed up and made our way to Hwy 178 out of Bakersfield. Not much to talk about until you reach the mouth of Kern Canyon, giving us a taste of the beautiful and dramatic landscape that was in store for us. We stopped in Lake Isabella for some food and caffeine - Hmmm, I think this could be a great Barf rally town: classy motels and twisty roads in all directions.
After 178 is a slog up 395, where you enter Inyo County, the home of Death Valley
While stopped for gas along 395, we met a fellow moto traveler, Ian, from the UK. He was asking our opinion on which pass to take over the Sierras. Well, in early April all of his options were still closed, he ended up taking the same pass we did, Walker Pass. Here’s Trplgrl showing him the way
Finally we made it to the stretch of road that would lead us into Death Valley, 195. It is lonely, hot and arrow-straight but while riding alongside Owens Lake (don’t let the name fool you, it is dry, dry, dry) we were compelled to stop. It was one of many places too beautiful to just ride through
Then, finally, Death Valley. We have proof!
The violence involved in shaping DV was immediately apparent
Even though this trip was planned for early spring, deep in the valley it was still 100 degrees. The time of year limited our route options quite a bit, but made exploration of DV more tolerable AND April is the time for mad wildflowers! Arriving at our destination, Stovepipe Wells, we were both ready for a dip in the pool! It turned out Stovepipe was a better place to land than the other option, Furnace Creek, which seemed more expensive and touristy. Plus, Stovepipe had good food, good beer and these gorgeous views:
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