Hell’s Loop!

Boy oh boy, from freezing weather to getting baked again…all in a few days!   Sorry I’ve been away from the blog for a bit, boys and girls, but I had another secret mission requiring mixing it up in colder climes.   My exact destination was, shall we say, a deep dark secret…but I’ll let you see what I read with my breakfast the last few days…

A cup of warm coffee made it seem a tiny bit warmer...

Next weekend is the big event…our good buddy Alan Spears and the Motor Scooter International Land Speed Federation are running the Hell’s Loop Endurance Rally!   Arlene B and yours truly are riding in it.  It’s gonna be a hoot…a 375-mile trip riding our Scooters through California’s magnificent interior.   We’ll be rolling through the mighty Mojave Desert, old Route 66, and even Death Valley.

I love the roads we’ll ride, and I’m hoping it won’t be too hot.  It’s a heady 90 degrees here in So Cal as I write this, so there’s no telling what it’s gonna be like in the desert next weekend.  Might be hot, and then again, it might be cold!  We’ll see…

I’ve ridden these roads before, and they make for a heck of a motorcycle ride.   Take a look at this shot of my trusty KLR-650 on old Route 66 somewhere east of Barstow…

Old Route 66...I'll grab a shot just like this next weekend with my CSC motorcycle!

And if we get a chance (we may not, as we’re gonna be pressed for time…it is, after all, a “rally”) we’ll make a stop at the Mad Greek in Baker, California.   It’s got the world’s largest thermometer (you’ve seen it if you’ve ever driven to Vegas), and there’s a great Greek restaurant.  Great food, and I sure hope we get to eat there…

The Mad Greek in Baker, California...great food!

From there it’s a run to the northwest straight into Death Valley.   It’s gonna be super scenic.  I love riding through the desert, and I’m especially looking forward to doing it on Ol’ Red…

Yes, the sky actually is that blue out there in the California desert!

After entering Death Valley, it’s on to the low lands…this area is about 250 feet below sea level!

Death Valley, looking north...keep an eye on the blog...I'll have a shot of my CSC moto right here next week!

The views in this area are stunning, including an area known as Artist’s Palette.  The mineral deposits are so rich and so varied…well, I can’t really put it into words…take a look!

Death Valley's aptly-named "Artist's Palette" area...

And here’s the classic Death Valley photo…I’ll get this same photo with our California Scooters in the frame next weekend!

A classic Death Valley photo...

There’s a lot going on this week, so keep an eye on the blog.   I’m gonna have the boys in the shop give my CSC motorcycle a good inspection, but I think the only thing I’ll need is an oil change.  I know from the Baja ride that these bikes are built to go the distance, and that’s exactly what I plan to do next weekend!