Ride Description
This year's Rally will start in Bishop CA and travel to Tonopah Nevada and then Hawthorne Nevada. The 3 day ride will be a mix of mountains and desert terrain. Riders will have route choices depending on what type of bike they are riding. The main Blue Routes are designed for Dual Sport or tougher Adventure bikes. The Red Routes are recommended Dual Sport only and the Green Routes are more scenic for larger relaxed Adventure bikes. This ride will include a support vehicle as a gas stop each day and to carry an overnight bag for each rider. Riders spend each night in a motel.
Discover Remote California and Nevada in the Springtime
Join us for this 3 day Explorer Rally Challenge
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
Ride Yoda
Jeff M
View the ride maps
OK since many of you like to study more detail about the ride, below are the ride maps.
I put these ride maps on the web page because I know a few of you love looking at the ride detail and dreaming about the ride. At first glance these maps do not look so impressive, but they are way cool. If you start zooming in, you can see the ride in incredible detail. I have spent a ton of hours sorting through the details of the ride for each day, so for those of you that enjoy this sort of thing, well enjoy!
Legend:
The Blue lines are MAIN routes
The Red lines are Harder routes
The Green lines are Easy options
The Black lines are the out and back viewpoints
How does the ride navigation work?
This is a self-led GPS ride; all riding is on your own. You are responsible for your own riding. You will be given a GPS map file and instructions on how to use your Garmin GPS unit. People will hook up in small groups of less than 6 riders and tend to ride together. You are not encouraged to ride alone. You are responsible for your own riding and yourself.
(see my ride Navigation Video)
Are you right for this ride?
When something goes wrong on a ride, would your riding friends say that you are more likely to need help or more likely to give help? You should be in the more likely to offer help camp. This ride is filled with riders that are more likely to give help, so most of the time the riders never need help. Additionally there is all the normal stuff: come prepared to maintain your bike, fix your bike on the trail, repair flat tires, deal with bad weather and rain and make a joke or two.
How do I make the GPS stuff so easy?
I develop very high quality ride maps custom for our ride. They come from much of what I and others have ridden. I take the best from all my rides and make new ones.
(See my Custom Ride Maps Video)
Note from me, gpsKevin
My goal for this ride is simple, great riding, so you can count on great routes and places to ride.
But in addition, the ride is about discovering new places, meeting new friends, seeing new parts of the Southwest.
Thanks
gpsKevin
FAQ's
Q: What bikes are right for this ride?
A: Bikes including and in between the the Yamaha WR250R, KTM500, Honda Africa Twin, and the KTM1190. Even good riders on BMW1200gs all can do well by choosing the easy or hard route options.
Q: What is the gas range needed for this ride?
A: I recommend at least 140 miles
Q:What will the weather be like this time of year?
A: The weather is most often nice, could be a little cold in the morning and in the mountains. But sometimes there can be rain. Wet and muddy routes can force us to change our routes. Come prepared with extra gear for cold and wet.
Q: Would this be a good ride for new riders?
A: No, this ride is for intermediate and experienced riders only. The riding has easy route choices and tough route options. Each evening we will study the following day's choices. You will find lots of supportive people at the ride.
Q; What do I do if I don't have a Garmin gps?
A: Buy one, you need it. We will show you how to use it. You can get a great one for 150 bucks.
(See gpsKevin's gps recommendations)
Q: Is the riding really on my own?
A: Yes, it is on your own, but not by yourself. Everyone hooks up and rides with a friend or a new friend and rides together. I do not encourage riding alone.
Q: Do I need a street licensed bike?
A: Yes, there are areas where a licensed bike is required. You must also have a motorcycle class drivers license.
Q: Do I need insurance?
A: Yes, you must carry proof of medical insurance and liability insurance for yourself/motorcycle.
Who is going on this ride?
David L Gardnerville, NV
Husqvarna FE501
Paul P, Napa, CA
2005 KLR 650
Paul W, Oceanside, CA
Honda 450X
Pedro, San Diego CA
Husky TR650
Robert H, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA KTM 500
Richard V, Valley Center CA
Terry N, Port Hueneme CA
KTM 350
Gil B, El Segundo Ca
KTM 500, Really Old
Michael M, Casa Grande, AZ
XR650L
Jerry F, Morongo Valley, CA
Christopher R, Cherry Valley CA
KTM 525
Lance W, Moreno Valley, CA
DRZ400
Travis W, Colton, CA
DRZ400
Paul K, Thousand Oaks, CA
KLR650
Greg M, Penn Valley, CA
KLX250
Mark H, Bloomington, CA
Yamaha WR250
Mark W, Salt Lake City, UT
BMW F800GSA
Tom R, Garden Grove, CAKTM KTM 350 EXCF
Asen A, Oakland CA
Drz 400
Chaz, Truckee, CA
KTM 1190
Dave T , Morongo Valley, Ca
Beta 450 RS