Discovering Life In Death Valley

Northern California’s ongoing ‘bomb cyclone’ (biblical rain and high winds) since early January got me restless. This – coupled with enjoying my first kidney stone experience through most of December – made answering riding pal Brian’s invitation to join him on his annual four-day Death Valley ride a no-brainer, 1,200-plus miles of chasing Brian’s 2018 Triumph Tiger 800 Adventure on my 2000 Moto Guzzi Quota 1100 ES nearly one year after buying it from McInnis.

I’ve followed Brian on several Sierra rides for five years, but never the southern loop into Death Valley, a place so sinister-sounding it’s not surprising neither have several of my riding pals.