Contemplating Vegas Run

[alanmcorcoran]

Seriously considering a quick run to Vegas (from Anaheim) on Wednesday - returning Friday. Highs for Anaheim are currently predicted at 78, Vegas 65. Lows: Anaheim: 48, Vegas 41. I'd try to do most of it while the sun was shining.

Haven't done a ride of this length in mid-winter yet. Never been to Vegas on the bike yet either, but got pretty close in October when I went to Death Valley. Probably do the rain gear over mesh jacket approach for the widest range of temperature, with lined touring pants. It's a little more than 250 miles, pretty much all superslab. Won't need to pack much more than my riding clothes, and a set of street clothes.

Thoughts?

[blaine]

Go for it.I wish I could get out for a ride, :cry: to get rid of the mid winter biues. :cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

Thoughts ???????????????? What's to think about ?? :2tup:

[burkbuilds]

Sounds like a fun trip, I say go, go, go! :2tup: Have a great time, wish the weather was that mild around here now. If I was out your way I'd want to join you on that trip.

[alanmcorcoran]

My hedging was based on 250 miles at a crack - about 150-180 is my comfort zone, but I've pushed it to as much as 560 when I've had to - and concern about riding when it's 42, if it comes to that. Probably won't.

Okay, if the forecast holds up, I'm going. I'll post a picture of Paris, or New York or whatever ridiculous edify they've constructed out there since the last time I had to go...

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Water Warrior 2]

Go to Vegas, buy a T-shirt to prove you were there. Take a pic wearing it, have a newpaper in your hand with the date showing. Or none of the above except ride to Vegas. :lol:

[alanmcorcoran]

Wife wants a Chumlee T-shirt from Pawn Stars show. Hoping it's not a giant pain in the ass to get one.

[dhgeyer]

Hey, go for a ride. I don't think 250 miles is too much, especially slabbing it on those western highways. You should be able to get that in easily during daylight hours with plenty of resting time in between.

You might want to consider heated gear, especially a jacket liner. And heated gloves if you don't have heated grips. I've had good luck with Gerbings, but I'm sure other brands are fine also. Heated gear makes riding the slab in 40 to 55 degree weather a whole different experience than without it.

[bonehead]

go for it!!!!

[Moedad]

Be ready for wind, according to the forecast. Santa Anas are supposed to return midweek.

[jonathan180iq]

You might see my Dad. He's flying in to Vegas from Jeddah, KSA on Wednesday....but I doubt it :)

[alantf]

You might see my Dad. He's flying in to Vegas from Jeddah, KSA on Wednesday....but I doubt it :)

You another one of Darth Vader's sons? Whoops- Jeddah - I thought you said Jedi. :crackup

[alanmcorcoran]

I'm here. Left at about 11, had breakfast in Barstow at the Denny's, got to LV at around 3:45ish. Gusty winds at various points along the way and a bit chilly at the higher altitudes (gets up to almost a mile above sea level don't cha know...) They had closed two left lanes of the main artery out of town for the purposes of patching about ten inches of blacktop - that cost me about 40 minutes.

Anyway, I'm here, and maybe it's just me or a bad mood, but this town looks rediculous. I get that people come here to get drunk and get laid, but, seriously, can't they do that at home? maybe it looks better at night.

Here's the Strat at the Barstow Denny's...

http://s2.postimage.org/2ov1gibac/DSC02540.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/2ov1gibac/)

[JWR]

Glad you had a uneventful trip.
Put $2.00 in a winning slot for me.


Have fun Alan.

Looks like I will get to ride this week-end, high 40's or low 50's.

[burkbuilds]

Just remember Alan, it's all about the journey, not the destination. Have a great time! :2tup:

[alanmcorcoran]

Had my meeting today with my new overlords and tomorrow will be heading back to Southern CA. Didn't actually go over to the Pawn Stars Gold and Silver because:

1) It wasn't that close to the hotel.
2) It's not actually open 24 hours.
3) There is often a line to get in. I don't wait in lines unless it is the DMV or if Milla is taking numbers. Well, probably not even the DMV.
4) Everyone that has been there said it sucks and now they don't like the show anymore.
5) If one really wants a Chumlee shirt, one can buy one on-line.

I did snap a few pix for Water Warrior after dinner...

http://s2.postimage.org/2zk8prc10/DSC02543.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/2zk8prc10/)
http://s3.postimage.org/fjfbaubo/DSC02547.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/fjfbaubo/)
http://s3.postimage.org/fjimdjb8/DSC02545.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/fjimdjb8/)

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks Allan. Good pics, especially the last one. I really can't wait till spring really gets here and I can go exploring on 2 wheels with a couple cameras.

[blaine]

Thanks Allan. Good pics, especially the last one. I really can't wait till spring really gets here and I can go exploring on 2 wheels with a couple cameras.
Sounds like you got over you not wanting to ride blues. :poke2: :lol:

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks Allan. Good pics, especially the last one. I really can't wait till spring really gets here and I can go exploring on 2 wheels with a couple cameras.
Sounds like you got over you not wanting to ride blues. :poke2: :lol:
Actually I am trying to think positive and create a desire to get out.

[bonehead]

Yep, pic #3 is the best.

[alanmcorcoran]

Back from the run. The ride back was quite enjoyable. Not sure if it's because I'm more relaxed or if it was because it was all superhighway, but my neck/upper back did not get all cramped up and the ride was relatively easy on my middle-aged bones. Ass was starting to get a little cranky towards the end, but overall, a piece of cake. Wind was lower, and, although it was a little chilly in the morning (left at 9am) I stuck it out with the mesh jacket up over the Halloran Springs pass and after that, I wasn't cold the rest of the way. (it's about 75-80 here in anaheim again.) One last Vegas shot (sorry, no ass in this one), Denny's in Baker and the former Bun Boy (now Big Boy) thermometer in Baker.

http://s3.postimage.org/oghubdok/DSC02549.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/oghubdok/)
http://s3.postimage.org/ogoggrno/DSC02551.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/ogoggrno/)
http://s3.postimage.org/ohblzmkk/DSC02550.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/ohblzmkk/)

[burkbuilds]

Hey Alan, cool trip. Thanks for letting the rest of us live vicariously through your pics and posts, very nice. Glad you got to do this. :)