Earth's Lowest

BusyWeb · 06-21-2009, 10:06 PM

Hello, there.
Here is the riding to share with you.
Earth's Lowest Place.

Some story...
Let me put as logging type write.

1. Friday, I found some sale items on Big 5 Sporting Good store.
I needed warmer sleeping bag, and bought one at half price.
2. I need to test this new sleeping bag, along with my new saddle bag mounting strength.
Where to go????
3. Satureday morning, I packed FULL LOADIGN this time to test mounting.
The weight of luggages are good....and heavy.
4. Made mind to go storng windy road, Deseart, Interstate 15, and Death Valley,
where I missed some place to visit at the last riding.
5. Start to ride.... the wind was not bad at the morning, but has some strength.
Feels like about 20-30 mph wind.
6. I made some rest at the Shoshone, small viliege, where wind gets stronger and temperature gets higher.
7. From now the stroy begins..... ha ha ha.

I choose to go Badwater Basin where I had missed at the last time visit.
After some 10s of miles of riding down from the valley, the vast empty space is appeard.
And the wind gets very strong; felt 40 - 60 mph wind (not sure).
My bike did not dance this time at all; my mounting worked very well, however....
The wind pushes my body, and wind was HOT, HOT, HOT...
I'm pretty sure temperature was over 120.
My head shakes left and right while I was change directions, ha ha ha...
That's a interesting experience for riding bike.
Finally, I arrived to the Badwater Basin, took some pictures.
There are not many tourist this time...
And there were no BIKES, I saw couple of beemers and crousers during the whole riding yesterday.
My guess was that High Temp. and the strong Wind which I don't want to ride at the same circumstances any more.

After struggling with hot wind, I arrived the camp. ground where I did couple of months ago?
Visitor booklet says that this camp. groud will be open all the year around.
NONE camp. spot is occupied, NO ONE is arround at the camp. ground, even NO HOST campers.
I was wonder and drove around couple of times....... NONE. just hot wind is blowwing.....
I asked about it at the local store, and said that because of high temperature???? he was not sure too.
And asked about night time temperature >>>> Over 100.... ha ha ha...
No wonder why there are no one at the camp. ground.

Change of plan, go back to HOME... ha ha ha
Another night time riding was waiting for me, at this high wind situation,
which I had bad memory about it; from Baker to Bastow
But I was sure that my bike would not shake any more by this strong wind...

During the back home, the bike was very stable agaist wind, but my body shakes/dances by wind.
And that makes me very nervous.....>>> slow down >>> safe riding.... ha ha ha.
I did speed about 40 - 55 mph at the I 15, ha ha ha...
There are another reason that I couldn't spped at night riding...???
Found that when I got to the city environment at night, I could speed up to 85-90.
Reason >>> my night vision is getting bad....
I may need to change my glasses or night time glasses ????

There were some lessons.
1. When windy, be careful at the top of hills both big mountain or small hills.
I got a situation, the place was small mount hill and top of hill the road was turned at curve.
I was lean at 45 degree at the top at some speed, suddenly, wind pushes the bike at the opposite direction about 3 feets.
Bike slide, I and bike leaned automatically less than 30 degrees at the curve.
Fortunately, bike did not dropped, I managed the bike up >>> I don't know how I did it but it worked.
I think that I throttled up and leaned little bit more at the curve??? but not sure...I was lucky.
Lesson is that DO NOT SPEED UP AT THE TOP OF HILLS if there were wind at the road.
After this, I automatically turned to the defense riding mode all the way back home... ha ha ha.
Gets tired... slow down... upper body was dancing... ha ha ha.

Another lesson....
2. Riding at the windy road, select proper riding suits.
I told you about that my body was shaking alot by wind.
BUT that body shaking could be REDUCED IF I wore little bit TIGHT ridign suits.
How do I know!!!
I was about at the San Bernadino Valley last night, the termperature cool(cold) down and my teeth was shaking.
I had to change(wore another layer) of clothing......
And I thightend one more clip on the riding suit; at the arm and wrist parts.
Aha, the body shaking by wind was 80% removed.
As my riding suit is little lossed one; me is skinny, it may causes/losses wind resistance...

Anyway, I failed Bike Camping Plan this time, and could not test my New Sleeping Bag......
ha ha ha ha.... (but could defy the wind and happy.....)
Here are just couple of photos taken yesterday...and share with you.

Picasa Album Link
http://picasaweb.google.com/busyweb/Ear ... 4289101554

Picasa Slide Show
[picasa=busyweb:341br7os]5349868958536814065[/picasa:341br7os]

Water Warrior 2 · 06-22-2009, 12:09 AM

Excellant ride report. You are obviously learning more and more with every ride. The wind is scary because in most cases you can't see it to prepare, you can just react when it hits you. As you mentioned, tighter clothing does a lot for the comfort factor and you don't get beat half to death by your own gear. The bike looks well packed and tidy with no loose ends hanging down. How many miles on the bike now ?

Moedad · 06-22-2009, 01:34 AM

Busy! Do you remember this post from last November?

http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewt...p=16097#p16097

Quote:

Moedad wrote: If you go in the summer next time, it'll be really hot, like 110-115 or more during the day. I wouldn't bother telling someone this in most cases, but I'd hate to read about you breaking down in the heat at Badwater in August and getting cooked just because nobody said "BUSY! It gets REALLY hot there!!" They call it DEATH Valley for a reason.

And a couple of posts later in the same thread:

Quote:

Moedad wrote: Early morning temps (just before sunrise) are "coolest." In July and August it gets down into the upper 80s in that early morning "cool" time. Late afternoon is only a few degrees cooler than mid-day. It stays above 100 until well after dark, even after midnight at times. You may get lucky and get a "cold" snap and have temps in the low 100s during the day.

But I'm really glad your new saddlebag supports worked so well. Way to go! And great pictures once again.

BusyWeb · 06-22-2009, 10:19 PM

Thanks for your comments....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

How many miles on the bike now ?

Hi, Mr. WW.
I saw your comments just before the bed, and couldn't check the meter last night.
I checked today after work, it shows 12768.
I think that I got it at about 2000 miles, and subtract from now...
I did on the seat about 10500 miles during the 4-5 months???
Um....not bad and bike seems still in good condition and happy with it.
Made some regular delear service at about 8000 miles.
And couple of my own oil changes, lubricating chains.. that was all.
Aha, I changed the tires.
Nowadays, most road transportation machines are in good qualities I think.
GZ (small in size compare to this new) was also in good condition after 10s thousands miles of riding without major problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moedad

Busy! Do you remember this post from last November?
http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewt...p=16097#p16097
But I'm really glad your new saddlebag supports worked so well. Way to go! And great pictures once again.

Hi, Mr. Moedad.
I did remember just few sense of it...
Before I left home, I did recall your comments but not entirely remembered.
"Um, he said that it is hot at SUMMER time.." kind of phrasers....
Ha ha ha, it's June still, it might be O.K. >>>>> ha ha ha (foolish thought)
Anyway, I made it fortunately.
Yes, I was wonder that there were no BIKES on the road the way to the Death Valley.
And, once again, I tried to remember what he told me ... but failed to recover my old memories.

Thanks again for your comments.
I would not forget any more in entire my life....ha ha ha.

Water Warrior 2 · 06-23-2009, 01:40 AM

Busy, you now have it nicely broken in at that mileage. Modern bikes will go for years with proper servicing and are as reliable as the best cages out there. You seem to have created a smaller sport touring bike with some wise planning and implimentation of ideas. Ride Safe.

alanmcorcoran · 06-23-2009, 04:12 AM

Busy,

I think you are really pushing the envelope. It's obviously your choice and apparently something you want to do and enjoy doing, but this last report sounds like you had more than a few brushes with disaster. I admire your inquisitiveness and your fearlessness, but I hope I'm not mistaking foolishness for balls. I obviously don't know much about your bike, but I imagine that, even though it is heavier "loaded down", it isn't necessarily going to handle better. (Did you/can you adjust the suspension?) Also, 60mph winds are dangerous, loaded bike or not.

Take care of youself. This one gave me visions of vultures circling and bleached white bones poking up from the sand. I know you don't like to ride with a buddy (I guess, I don't really either) but you really pile it on when you go out to one of the most unforgiving places in the US in the summer time by yourself. This is pacific coast highway season, not Mojave time.

At least post a planned trip report with us before you go, so if we don't hear from you for a while we can consider a rescue operation. (My bike is pretty heavy wihout loading it up, but I'm not sure about 60mph winds. I think the worst I have done is the 40-45 mph "gusts". But it's hard to know when you are out in it.)

BusyWeb · 06-23-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Busy, you now have it nicely broken in at that mileage. Modern bikes will go for years with proper servicing and are as reliable as the best cages out there.

Hi, there.
I hope that my bike would go up and run for a long time....with me on the road...
And optimistic about it ^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Take care of youself.
This is pacific coast highway season, not Mojave time.
At least post a planned trip report with us before you go, so if we don't hear from you for a while we can consider a rescue operation. (My bike is pretty heavy wihout loading it up, but I'm not sure about 60mph winds. I think the worst I have done is the 40-45 mph "gusts". But it's hard to know when you are out in it.)

Hi, Mr. Alan.
Thanks for your advice....
And I will do more careful on the following ridings and more careful plan would be..
I hope that there will be No Rescue Op. needed.... ha ha ha (I like this part of your comments, pretty strong emotional advice for me)
And may be Coast Line for the next riding...

Thanks again for all of you.

06-21-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
BusyWeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 626	Earth's Lowest Hello, there. Here is the riding to share with you. Earth's Lowest Place. Some story... Let me put as logging type write. 1. Friday, I found some sale items on Big 5 Sporting Good store. I needed warmer sleeping bag, and bought one at half price. 2. I need to test this new sleeping bag, along with my new saddle bag mounting strength. Where to go???? 3. Satureday morning, I packed FULL LOADIGN this time to test mounting. The weight of luggages are good....and heavy. 4. Made mind to go storng windy road, Deseart, Interstate 15, and Death Valley, where I missed some place to visit at the last riding. 5. Start to ride.... the wind was not bad at the morning, but has some strength. Feels like about 20-30 mph wind. 6. I made some rest at the Shoshone, small viliege, where wind gets stronger and temperature gets higher. 7. From now the stroy begins..... ha ha ha. I choose to go Badwater Basin where I had missed at the last time visit. After some 10s of miles of riding down from the valley, the vast empty space is appeard. And the wind gets very strong; felt 40 - 60 mph wind (not sure). My bike did not dance this time at all; my mounting worked very well, however.... The wind pushes my body, and wind was HOT, HOT, HOT... I'm pretty sure temperature was over 120. My head shakes left and right while I was change directions, ha ha ha... That's a interesting experience for riding bike. Finally, I arrived to the Badwater Basin, took some pictures. There are not many tourist this time... And there were no BIKES, I saw couple of beemers and crousers during the whole riding yesterday. My guess was that High Temp. and the strong Wind which I don't want to ride at the same circumstances any more. After struggling with hot wind, I arrived the camp. ground where I did couple of months ago? Visitor booklet says that this camp. groud will be open all the year around. NONE camp. spot is occupied, NO ONE is arround at the camp. ground, even NO HOST campers. I was wonder and drove around couple of times....... NONE. just hot wind is blowwing..... I asked about it at the local store, and said that because of high temperature???? he was not sure too. And asked about night time temperature >>>> Over 100.... ha ha ha... No wonder why there are no one at the camp. ground. Change of plan, go back to HOME... ha ha ha Another night time riding was waiting for me, at this high wind situation, which I had bad memory about it; from Baker to Bastow But I was sure that my bike would not shake any more by this strong wind... During the back home, the bike was very stable agaist wind, but my body shakes/dances by wind. And that makes me very nervous.....>>> slow down >>> safe riding.... ha ha ha. I did speed about 40 - 55 mph at the I 15, ha ha ha... There are another reason that I couldn't spped at night riding...??? Found that when I got to the city environment at night, I could speed up to 85-90. Reason >>> my night vision is getting bad.... I may need to change my glasses or night time glasses ???? There were some lessons. 1. When windy, be careful at the top of hills both big mountain or small hills. I got a situation, the place was small mount hill and top of hill the road was turned at curve. I was lean at 45 degree at the top at some speed, suddenly, wind pushes the bike at the opposite direction about 3 feets. Bike slide, I and bike leaned automatically less than 30 degrees at the curve. Fortunately, bike did not dropped, I managed the bike up >>> I don't know how I did it but it worked. I think that I throttled up and leaned little bit more at the curve??? but not sure...I was lucky. Lesson is that DO NOT SPEED UP AT THE TOP OF HILLS if there were wind at the road. After this, I automatically turned to the defense riding mode all the way back home... ha ha ha. Gets tired... slow down... upper body was dancing... ha ha ha. Another lesson.... 2. Riding at the windy road, select proper riding suits. I told you about that my body was shaking alot by wind. BUT that body shaking could be REDUCED IF I wore little bit TIGHT ridign suits. How do I know!!! I was about at the San Bernadino Valley last night, the termperature cool(cold) down and my teeth was shaking. I had to change(wore another layer) of clothing...... And I thightend one more clip on the riding suit; at the arm and wrist parts. Aha, the body shaking by wind was 80% removed. As my riding suit is little lossed one; me is skinny, it may causes/losses wind resistance... Anyway, I failed Bike Camping Plan this time, and could not test my New Sleeping Bag...... ha ha ha ha.... (but could defy the wind and happy.....) Here are just couple of photos taken yesterday...and share with you. Picasa Album Link http://picasaweb.google.com/busyweb/Ear ... 4289101554 Picasa Slide Show [picasa=busyweb:341br7os]5349868958536814065[/picasa:341br7os] __________________ BusyWeb Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-22-2009, 12:09 AM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Earth's Lowest Excellant ride report. You are obviously learning more and more with every ride. The wind is scary because in most cases you can't see it to prepare, you can just react when it hits you. As you mentioned, tighter clothing does a lot for the comfort factor and you don't get beat half to death by your own gear. The bike looks well packed and tidy with no loose ends hanging down. How many miles on the bike now ?
	0

06-23-2009, 01:40 AM	#5
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Earth's Lowest Busy, you now have it nicely broken in at that mileage. Modern bikes will go for years with proper servicing and are as reliable as the best cages out there. You seem to have created a smaller sport touring bike with some wise planning and implimentation of ideas. Ride Safe. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-23-2009, 04:12 AM	#6
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Earth's Lowest Busy, I think you are really pushing the envelope. It's obviously your choice and apparently something you want to do and enjoy doing, but this last report sounds like you had more than a few brushes with disaster. I admire your inquisitiveness and your fearlessness, but I hope I'm not mistaking foolishness for balls. I obviously don't know much about your bike, but I imagine that, even though it is heavier "loaded down", it isn't necessarily going to handle better. (Did you/can you adjust the suspension?) Also, 60mph winds are dangerous, loaded bike or not. Take care of youself. This one gave me visions of vultures circling and bleached white bones poking up from the sand. I know you don't like to ride with a buddy (I guess, I don't really either) but you really pile it on when you go out to one of the most unforgiving places in the US in the summer time by yourself. This is pacific coast highway season, not Mojave time. At least post a planned trip report with us before you go, so if we don't hear from you for a while we can consider a rescue operation. (My bike is pretty heavy wihout loading it up, but I'm not sure about 60mph winds. I think the worst I have done is the 40-45 mph "gusts". But it's hard to know when you are out in it.) __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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