2010-03-11 MadMikes Death Valley Ride

a *everybody* report  

Yet another epic day in DV. Perfect weather, and the StovePipe Wells campers met the Longstreet partiers at Dantes View, a very good turn out! Today's agenda was to meet at Dantes, ride to Badwater, continue south to Ashford ? mill ruins, then lunch at Shosone sp? where MCML & Valerie, Mr. and Mrs. Silver Penguin, and 03SilverBullet were to meet us.

Lunch was good, the waitress was excellent, she got the job done with the big crowd, and not one person was seen imbibing, a good thing for a group ride. The rabbits took off in a hurry to gain first access to Artists Pallet, the rest of ran a more comfie pace. I think the pack then took off to fuel up at Furnace creek and or return to to StovePipe, I don't know - I decided to run AP again, but to make sure no one was worried about lil old me, I went to Furnace Creek but found no one. Some worry, eh?

With the sun growing long in tooth, I had to revisit Artists Pallet, to see the red long sun wavelengths on the various rock shades of burnt amber, red, turquoise and green. I still don't get why folks head straight to the barn when the best part of the day has yet to happen? As usual, I was the last one back.

Dinner was at 7 pm, and was *very* eventful. Bunch of spoiled FJR riders, this group, sending food back for being overcooked, and then having the gall to say that the salmon wasn't really salmon? whatcha say MCML and 03SilverBullett?

More later, time to go beat Fairlaner at another game of pool!

Video uploading from the hotel room, will try to post later...

MadMike - we miss you bud

..to be continued

Here's a teaser video for ya'll... raw and unedited from Dantes View.

Clicky Me

..to be continued

Yeah, Roy wishes you were here too - he's heard you dress up pretty good as a farm animal!

Today's agenda is the engineers tour at Scotties castle, after first having breakfast at Furnace Creek. We're supposed to meet the StovePipe Well Campers but rumor has it they be bailing the opportunity to come out and play :

Assuming the rest of the contingent made it back alive from the DOT lesbian infested tweaking saloon, and can wake their ass up early enough, we'll be heading out of early for what will hopefully be another epic day.

!Seize the day!

..to be continued

Hee hee who sez the fjr ain't a a dirt bike! passed a guy on a ktm 450, should have seen his head snap..
-tweak-

On another note, Duke's Dad had a bit unfortunate situation and tipped over. Both Duke and Dad are OK, apparently no big deal, well, Daddie is limping a bit and they actually tipped on Duke's side, but Duke seems really OK with the whole scenario.. hey look, a bone! Thanks Dad!

The windshield bolts sheared - so I volunteered to search the forum for the size..
I found from a gen2 faq they should be m5x.80 pitch and 18mm long.
Does that sound right?

Are they the same between gen1 and 2? I would think so.
...and, what is the approx us American sae size? He's looking to get parts from a hardware store (bandaid fix)

..to be continued

MOST excellent Mike!

Here's some teasers for everyone..

Sunset at Dantes

King Richard holds court

Daniellea, our waitress (who is putting herself through college working as waitress/maid, I appreciate her effort and left big tips)

We was there

Amen brother, Amen

Many colors of DV

And this, sorry, everyone, but just what the heck is going on between these two?

Hang in there, the video is taking much time - but I think many will appreciate it when completed. I do this for my life chronicles, and love to share with my FJR peeps.

..to be continued

3 days after, the DV buzz is gone. Work and regular El Toro Poo-Poo have eaten away the adrenaline, the camaraderie, the lonesomeness and beauty of DV. That's why I have 20 hours into this iMovie - so I can recall just how good *good* can be. I had a great time.

I hope you enjoy this video. If you don't, well, I'm OK with that too. I do this for myself, and share it with you. I think you understand.

Warning - this video is over 20 minutes long, shot and stored in HD. I've not learned how, yet, to make a 'menu' of events, so use this as a guide should you not want to sit down for 20 and look.

But you should! Grab a beverage, crank up the speakers, shut the door then enjoy.

To all DV peeps - Thank you for showing.
MadMike, man we missed you, but I understand and respect why did not attend.

Here we go - and tell me, honestly, what you think of the video. I'm a rank amateur, but got to say I've enjoyed every moment of learning / producing this thing and all suggestions are welcomed.

-Time Lines-
0 58E to DV - 2 cars, 60 miles
4:39 DV entry - 'Quick Dispatch' of a pick up truck dork
5:38 Zabreski Point - spectacular
5:51 DV Night Shenanigans and FJR Peeps - methed drunk barkeeps and secret lesbian lovers
7:13 Up Dante - my high speed run, ride right to stay alive (you tell *me* why after you view)
10:10 How to make Old Michael jump
10:29 Forehead cam
12:55 20 Mule Team - who says an FJR can't off-road?
13:38 Stiffie - one for the ladies (MEM, Barb, comments?)
14:47 Ashford Mill ruins
15:28 Skooter vs FJR - 400cc skooter eats FJR lunch
16:01 FJR evens score - the fjr pilot finds the throttle
16:33 Cool lava rock - I love DV
16:42 Artist Palette canyon at dusk - why did everyone else go back to the hotel?
20:07 Dante sunset
20:21 Ride home
21:14 The end

Clicky Me

ps - OM, how did I do? (please share link with Shaun)