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/126511
Third Annual Death Valley/ Saline Valley motorcycle ride was fmally completed. It was well worth all the effort. A departure from the two previous trips was made. Instead of the long one-loop, two-day ride, a loop was made each day. They ranged from 21.2 miles to 122 round trips and each had something to whet our scooter riding appetite. The total distance was a long 1,619,904 feet or 306.8 miles. Two ghost towns, a sk.inny-dipping hot spring, miles of challenging dirt road, unforgettable scenery and beautiful weather was the treat enjoyed by the author and his partner. Originally 10 riders and three support vehicles were signed up. Due to scheduling, vacations, a couple of irate wives, and a poorly timed change of mind by several riders, the list dropped to two. The logistics encountered by the two of us were a problem but not insurmountable. Carrying the extra fuel on one trip was the biggest. The area covered is filled with historic leftovers, so a person is filled with wonderment as to the engineering, ingenuity and the human sweat that went into the building of the roads, the trams, the mines and the towns we used Or visi ted. Usually run in May, we moved the date backward to June due to the elevatiOn attempted and to help ensure halfway decent road and weather conditions. Considering what had happened to us last year (snow), I thought it was a smart move. We arrived in Darwin on June 26, and soon were ready for the tough rides ahead. We again used Tim's front yard as our pit site. Tim is a fuJI time resident, and while short in stature he is big of heart and one hell of a nice guy. Darwin is an interesting town; to some it's a ghost, but to its 35 residents it's home. The town is named after Doctor Darwin French and began to grow after silver-lead ore was found in 1874. In short order they were pulling 200 tons a day from the earth. The school which is srill standing was built in 1876, but now the few children travel 35 or SO miles into Lone Pine for their education. In 1877 the population reached 4500 plus, and 60 mines and five smelters were in full operation. In later years, tungsten was the prime product and the total returns of the silver, lead, gold and tungsten has been estimated at $35 to 40 million. 'One mine is back. in operation and they are doing new sampling in another. Could be a new boom for Darwin. There are several interesting spots around town to explore. The cave houses down in the wash just west of the main intersection are unique and unusual. The cemetery is worth a stop. The large tombstone is for Nancy Williams. Nancy, a red light madame, was a good soul being helpful to the sick, the poor and the hurt. When Nancy was killed, the miners erected the impressive stone. Hers is a story in itself. Our first ride was east 10.6 miles to the famous Darwin Falls. The £alls are an inspiring sight. The lush foliage and the water in this dry land makes their setting almost like a movie set. From the road it's a mile walk to the lower fall. The BLM has recently moved the No Vehicle sign back .8 miles. Several years ago they closed some of the area near the falls to vehicles when ..... 00 ..... 0') IOthAnnual NUA RIDER' BIKE CLASSES Age Groups Alder ClaSSification BIke cc limit & Classes PEE WEES Thru 8 yrs Open O-Blc!.: Sik & Mod JR CYCLES 6 to e yrs. 9 to , 1 yrs Open Nov, & Inler 0-6tcc 0-61cc Stk & Mod 5tk & MOd M&NICYCLES Thru' 1 yrs 12 to 14 yrs 12 to 16 yrs 9 to " yrs 12 to 16 yrs Nov. & Inter 0-8300 0-83cc 0-83cc O-I05u.. 5tk & Mod 51k & Mod 51k & Mod Mod Mod 100er 100(:: 125c... 2S0cc J Stk & Mod 5tk & Mod 51k & Mod Mod MOTORCYCLES Thru 16 to Thru Thru 15 yrs 18 yrs 21 yrs 21 yrs Beginner Nov Inl Exp QIA"" O~en Schoolboy Jr SchoolbOy Sf Nov Inl eJCp Nov. tnt. EJCp O-105ec CLASSES fOR ALL 27