Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125530
bome, you encounter other motorcycles, loaded down with camping gear and going your way. As you ride you are joined by others, their numbers steadily in- creasing as you approach Death Valley. Off In the distance you see other parades on other highways. The roads join, and you are surrounded by roaring Harleys, smoothly purring BMW's, and humming Hondas and Yamabas. You stop In a small town for gas. Bikes are everywhere, the music of their engines fills the air, almost making the ground shake, and your skin tingles with excitement. U you paid the entry fee, you join the lines at the check points to get your map stamPed. When you reach the Run's destination at Furance Creek Ranch, you line up and receive your souvenir cigarette lighter, pin, tour award patch, draw a number for the Sweepstakes Trophy, and deposit your ticket for a chance at winning the new Harley XLCH to be awarded later. The traffic jam of motorcycles at Furnace Creek Ranch Is hard to believe. Each year the Run draws about 3,000 riders who pay.the $3 entry fee.Another 4,000 free-loaders come along just for the ride. Counting motorcycle passengers and people who came in cars and camper trucks, the total crowd was estimated at 10,000 people. Why do 10,000 people leave their homes and charge off to the middle of nowhere? ThIs Is hard to explain to anyone who doesn't like the outdoors, campIng, and motorcycles. Part of the attraction Is getting out of the crowded cities, out where the air is clean, where the view stretches past tan hills dotted with sage, past dark red, purple, chocolate and black mountains to the horizon. Another part of the attraction Is the fun of taking part In the world's largest motorcycle event, and enjoying the com- lIasslv. ps stap as dozeRS of molDn:ycUsls r.fuel and conti.......Ir Death Vall.y Journ.y. pany of kindred souls and old friends at the destination. Then there's the opportunity to enter the many contests, perhaps to win one of the coveted Death Valley Tour Trophies. There may be thousan.ds of reasons why the tbousands of riders return religiously year after WI_s 01 til. Best Dr.ss.d Club CODlUt .... lb. bandsomely outfltlad Sliver Eaclls ILC. "Wbat's that thine. Hlnry?" "O...'t worry about It, lIaud.. th.y'r. not b... 10 slsy." year, but whatever the reason, It's a SOul-satisfying experience. After you arrive at Furnace Creek and sign In, there are so many attractions you have the urge to run In three directions at once. There are old friends to look for, events to enter or watch, sometimes several going on at once, and all kinds of Interesting motorcycles to Inspect. The Run draws every kind of motorcycle known, as well as some that haven't even been classified yet. For example, would you believe a motorcycle with a steering wheel and a back seat? Besides the gleaming stock and customized machines, there are classics, and antiques dating back to 1906. All bikes have to be ridden past the check points to be officially entered In the judging events. The owners of the antique bikes usually haul their rare old models to the first check point, and ride them In to the finish from there. Some of the bikes were so old, they had bicycle pedals as well as engines. One of the ancient bikes gave the owner so much trouble, he finally gave up trying to repair it, and pedaled it to the finish Busy spot was tilt slpln section for AlIA Tour Awanls. In the rorecround Is the n.w HoD XLCH crand prize won by Joe Jackson. ' 0.. of the unsell.dulld .....Is apln tbls Ylar was the unfortunate burDlnc 01 a Harley 74, ADother maellin. was IDIally dlstroyed by fI.. In '66.