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The History of the Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley

In August, 1994, I was riding my motorcycle back from Reno to San Francisco, high in the Sierra, through the Feather River Canyon and was thinking, "this is probably my last big ride of the summer". I realized I didn't want that to be. I thought about a ride to Death Valley in October, when the mountain passes over the Sierra would still be open, and when Death Valley would be cooled down from the summer heat.

I wanted to go with other bikers, but I wanted it to be a loose affair, where the bikers didn't have to commit themselves to anything in particular, other than having a good time. I decided to print up some flyers, send them to friends and put them in various places, telling people, if they wanted to join me on this adventure, just show up. Thus was born the 1st Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley. Since, then, it has occurred every year.

This is a loosely disorganized motorcycle ride for queer bikers. It is not a club, there is no organization, there is no registration, no fees, no pins, no nothing, except queer bikers who want to ride and have a good time.

Please note: queerness is not limited to any gender or sexual orientation; it is a state of mind and you know if it fits you. You may consider yourself queer if you are eccentric, different, odd, peculiar, unconventional or unusual (and it doesn't hurt if you also happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender).

So, read the stories of the past rides and if this kind of a ride appeals to you, perhaps you would like to join us on this year's ride to Death Valley.

Sincerely, Your disorganizer, Michael Psycle

Upcoming Death Valley Ride - All you need to know to take part in this year's ride.

The 14th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 6-8, 2007

Stories of Past Rides - Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.

Queer Biker Invasions of Death Valley

The 1st Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, 1994 - Story from CityBike, December, 1994 about the 1st Annual Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 12-14, 1994.

The 2nd Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, 1995 - Story from CityBike, December, 1995 about the 2nd Annual Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 13-15, 1995.

The 3rd Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, 1996 - Story of the third time around.

The 4th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, 1997 - Queer Bikers meet Death (Valley)!

The 5th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 10-12, 1998 - Another year, another ride!

The 6th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 9-11, 1999 - Once more to the valley of death.

The 7th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 7-9, 2000 - The Millennium Edition

The 8th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 6-8, 2001 - A motorcycle odyssey

The 9th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 12-14, 2002 - aka Homocycles Rule the Road

The 10th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 11-13, 2003 - Ten for the road

The 11th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 9-11, 2004 - The year Zabriskie Point was closed!

The 12th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 8-10, 2005 - Return to Zabriskie.

The 13th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley, October 7-9, 2006 - The year of closure.

Queer Biker Spring Kickoff Rides  - This is something I organized for two years but am no longer organizing.  These are long stories about the two rides and I hope you find them interesting.

The 1st Queer Biker Spring Kickoff Ride, 1997 - Be Prepared! This is a long story of ride to southern Utah and northern Arizona.

The 2nd Queer Biker Spring Kickoff Ride, April 11-19, 1998 - More adventures, some unexpected. Read all about it!

Last updated January 8, 2007

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