Starting to feel like Odyssues trying to get home.. woke up to another 70+ mph gust high wind warning on the Sierra slopes, so up early again and out.
Headed toward Pahrump (if you know, you know) to cut through Death Valley because Death Valley is super cool.
Was hoping to catch some wild flower blooms but most tapered off around 2000 feet. Although things were generally a lot more green than usual!
As I headed down into Badwater, I encountered obstacle #2: Road work with a vehicle escort. I sat for 15 minutes watching the temp go up from 63 to 79. Not super great.
I motored to Stovepipe Wells for a splash n dash and then into the Panamint valley.. road work #2, thankfully this one was less than 10 minutes and no escort.
Winds were starting to pick up and blow dust around and climbing out of Panamint valley was already blustery.
After Ridgecrest I had to climb up 178 to get into the Lake Isabella area.. this is where the gusty winds were kicking up. It was already pretty cruddy at 11 AM.
Up and over, my route would normally take me on Sierra Way.. oops.. road closed. I later found out it will be closed for at least a year. Not sure why Google & Garmin decided it was ok.
So I headed down 178 to take the “long” way.. only to find the latest obstacle.. the onramp to Hwy 155 was also closed. A 5 mile detour and a u-turn and I made it onto 155 going the right way.
Oops.. road work #3… another 10 minute delay.. also by this time the wind was really ripping over the lake, with white caps and all.
Eventually I made it into town and ate breakfast. I was thinking I’d ride some more before hotel check in, but decided that was probably enough for the day.
Tomorrow is a short (290 miles is now short) trip home and done!
I’m not tired of riding, but I’m definitely tired of hotels.
Dennis Rides - Motorcycles & Bicycles 