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

[Nowwhat]

Originally Posted by NSFW

since it's pretty quiet here, i''ll take the opportunity to point out

Tire Pressure,,,,Especially on the big bikes...

DV is a killer of tubes..I have had a flat almost every time I have gone and sometimes 3 in a day....

On my 950 I never drop below 28psi on the front...in DV I up it a couple psi....

The area is wide open...no need for low pressure to rail the turns...

[NSFW]

i asked lior to bring extra tubes and common sized tires. bring cash.

if you ran out.....see him. last year there were 2 riders who have to buy new tires after the first day.....

if you're not good in changing flat, bring extra to replace the tube you just pinched...

[NSFW]

last night when i got home, the butler maps are waiting for me.

bill (adv inmate eakins) sent us 2 socal and 1 northern cal maps for the raffle......

[traveltoad]

Originally Posted by Nowwhat

Tire Pressure,,,,Especially on the big bikes...

DV is a killer of tubes..I have had a flat almost every time I have gone and sometimes 3 in a day....

On my 950 I never drop below 28psi on the front...in DV I up it a couple psi....

The area is wide open...no need for low pressure to rail the turns...

And "Tire Pressure" is a great conversation starter...

[browneye]

Originally Posted by traveltoad

And "Tire Pressure" is a great conversation starter...

Uh yeah...the big bikes pinch tubes. If you drop 200lbs in bike you can get great traction with 15-18.


A couple more notes for prep...
Make sure you have the proper wrench to remove both wheels for flat repair. I know this sounds silly, but I have experienced first hand where the factory tool kit that comes with the bike doesn't have the right tool. Go figure.

Have an extra tube for front and rear, a patch kit, and a way to inflate - either a tire pump, 12V pump with power lead for YOUR bike, or CO2 carts. Something to lube the bead isn't a bad idea either, either tire change lube, soap, or a mini WD40. The latter is always in my tank bag.

If you're not real good at removing a bead and tube to repair or replace, at least have what you need. We'll help you but we're not there to do it for you.

Know the route distance you're going to tackle and make sure you have sufficient fuel range.

Carry at least a couple of liters of water and something to eat. In my opinion, you should have sufficient gear to be able to spend the night out in the dez, god forbid that something should happen and you don't make it back. This is less serious for this event due the numbers and that we are keeping track of everyone and riding in groups, but one needs to be sufficiently prepared.

First aid - I don't know what people carry, but I always have a sling, bandaids, rags, aspirin, and first aid tape. I wear contacts so I have spare glasses, a contacts case, saline solution, eye drops, and a spare pair of lenses, sunglasses, a hat, and reading glasses. Lip balm, benedryl (for bee sting reaction), antacid tabs.

If your navigation aid (reads: GPS) isn't hard wired to your bike then make sure you have extra batteries. I always have a LED headlamp thingy backpackers use, and extra batteries. If you get caught out after dark with a flat you'll be damn glad you have a way to task light. Lithium batteries cost more but last 8 times as long.

Although you don't need to, I have enough tools to practically rebuild a bike in the field. Wrench set, sockets, allens, pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, tire irons, plug wrench and plug. For spares, duct and electrical tape, hose clamps, a variety of bolts and screws, 20ga wire, chain breaker, master link, JB weld, super glue, locktite. A note pad and something to write with is always a great idea for any trip. Can be used for notes yourself, but more important, for details of an accident, or to leave a note for somebody else, a buddy or group.

A space blanket. Wind proof lighter, compass, whistle...you know, the 10 essentials. I even carry a snake bite kit. Oh yeah, and a spare key for your ignition. I keep one in my backpack or tankbag, some guys hide one on their bike.

In cooler weather, like we're likely to see at DV, my jetboil and coffee and cup a soup. If you get rained out or snowed on it's pretty nice. Even for a lunch stop.

Until this stuff comes naturally to you, a checklist is not a bad idea. Mostly it's being prepared for whatever, for you and your machine.

[traveltoad]

That's more than I carry for a week-long trip!!

[browneye]

Originally Posted by traveltoad

That's more than I carry for a week-long trip!!

When you ride with the browneye, if you need something you know he's got it.

In forty years of riding I've never had a flat offroad. Maybe this will be my first time....flat tire cherry-pop.


Having tools and spares comes from riding bikes from the 70's. They always broke something or some part fell off.

[theGrinch]

Do we have a shirt for this rally?

If so please link or whatever If not WTF Calling Browneye!

TIA



.

[Fishyhead]

Originally Posted by NSFW

if you're not good in changing flat, bring extra to replace the tube you just pinched...

Just had to jinx me.

[1224R]

Originally Posted by theGrinch

Do we have a shirt for this rally?

If so please link or whatever If not WTF Calling Browneye!

TIA



.

Serious.. Paging Scorpion.........

[browneye]

Originally Posted by theGrinch

Do we have a shirt for this rally?

If so please link or whatever If not WTF Calling Browneye!

TIA



.

We do. We'll have an order page like before. Riddler is the rally shirt man.
And I think we have a new designer in our midst.

[advFord]

Looks like the noob group rides for Saturday and Sunday are Full. Will any ride leaders take more than 12 riders?
I'd sign up to lead a new one but given I'm a noob without gps and it's first time to DV, i probably should follow someone else. :-)

I'll keep checking the ride sign up page.

[traveltoad]

Originally Posted by advFord

Looks like the noob group rides for Saturday and Sunday are Full. Will any ride leaders take more than 12 riders?
I'd sign up to lead a new one but given I'm a noob without gps and it's first time to DV, i probably should follow someone else. :-)

I'll keep checking the ride sign up page.

I am sure plenty of rides will come up as we get closer.

[NSFW]

Originally Posted by Fishyhead

Just had to jinx me.

d, if you lead a group on sat and sunday - the spell will go away.....

Originally Posted by advFord

Looks like the noob group rides for Saturday and Sunday are Full. Will any ride leaders take more than 12 riders?
I'd sign up to lead a new one but given I'm a noob without gps and it's first time to DV, i probably should follow someone else. :-)

I'll keep checking the ride sign up page.

calling dv vets.....give one day of the year to the noobs.

Originally Posted by browneye

We do. We'll have an order page like before. Riddler is the rally shirt man.
And I think we have a new designer in our midst.

thanks chris, diego sent me the artwork and need to send it over to jon. awesome design. we'll have short and long sleeves.

[browneye]

Originally Posted by advFord

Looks like the noob group rides for Saturday and Sunday are Full. Will any ride leaders take more than 12 riders?
I'd sign up to lead a new one but given I'm a noob without gps and it's first time to DV, i probably should follow someone else. :-)

I'll keep checking the ride sign up page.

Which ride(s) are you interested in? And for any other peeps that are coming out...tell us what's full that you want to get on and we'll figure out how to add the ride. All it takes is a couple of experienced riders in the group to split them and take a smaller group. They can still meet up at the destinations.

I'm thinking of doing an early run one of the days to Wild Rose and the Kilns. It's a good one to do Sunday before heading home.

I would also like to take my noob buddy to Titus Canyon so we'll probly do that Friday. If there's a full ride on that loop we can make another.


If South Pass is snowed over we'll be doing alternates to Ballerat, over Mengal. Or do a road ride to Scotty's, stop at Ubehebe Crater on the way.
Speaking of which, do we have road bikes coming up that are doing a tour of DV on the roads?