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The 6th Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley took place once again over the Columbus Day weekend, October 9-11, 1999; and once again, it was a resounding success. Approximately sixty bikers took part in the event at one point or another during the weekend, and most said they would be returning for another ride to Death Valley some time in the future.
Now that the Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley has taken place six times, it appears that the ride has developed a culture of it's own. This is a ride where people who by their nature are independent types can takes part is a loosely disorganized event and not lose their autonomy. Riders take part is whatever part of the ride they want to participate. There is no registration. There is no list of who actually took part.
The dominant themes of the ride are fun, connection and exhilaration. More then anything else, this is a fun event. People arrive in a good mood and seem to stay that way for the entire ride, despite whatever comes their way. For three days, a group of riders connect with the other riders. People appear to want to get to know each other. The riders often form into smaller groups that ride together for parts of the weekend, but these groups are fluid. Sometimes the connections happen in these small groups. Or the riders connect at the larger gatherings, the hot springs, Zabriskie Point, and the meals eaten together. Eating together helps to make the ride work. It cements the relationships that begin by riding together. And the entire exhilarating. The scenery is exhilarating. Riding one thousand miles in three days is exhilarating. And meeting the other riders is exhilarating.
Patterns develop. Many of the riders on this year's ride have been on one or more previous Death Valley rides. They may have gone on the ride each year for the past few years, or they may have skipped a year or two here or there. Everyone is welcomed, or welcomed back Newcomers are warmly welcomed.
There are particular stories to each year's ride, but too many to tell. Thirty bikers left Castro Street, and the ride began. One rider is unable to get his starter button to work. But he gets it fixed during the day, needing to drive in his car to the East Bay and back to SF with the part. The dealer made fixing his bike a priority. He arrived in Bishop late at night, not knowing where his roommate was, but managed to find what he needed.
More riders join us in Manteca, the first gas/rest stop, where many of the riders who live in the East Bay or Central Valley join the ride. A small group of riders announce that they will be riding over Sonora Pass instead of Tioga Pass and invite others to join they. Some do, and the larger group reforms several hours later at a gas stop at the intersection of Routes 120 and 395. At this rest stop, we invite a naive German tourist on a rented Harley to join us. He seems completely unaware that he is riding with a group of queer bikers. No one has the heart to tell him what should have been obvious.
The stop at the hot creek was wonderful as usual. About half the riders got naked in the water, despite a sign saying nudity was forbidden. After most of us had left the hot creek, one rider reported a CHP officer zoomed into the parking lot just as most of us were pulling out of the parking lot. The officer runs over to the rail and peers intently downward toward the hot creek. Did someone call the cops? Probably. There are forces that are relentless is their belief that everyone should obey their rules of dress; the same people who feel they can legislate sex.
On Sunday morning the entire group leaves Bishop, CA, en mass. In my rear view mirror I get to see a great sight. Bikes as far as I can see back. Perhaps fifty or so at this point. An awesome sight rolling down Highway 395 .
All kind of bikes were represented. Sport bikes were there in large numbers, Two of BMW's uber bikes were there. At least one of them claimed to have hit 155 mph. Others may have gone faster. Slower bikes also abounded. Touring rigs, full dressers, UJM's, cruisers, etc. were all present. On a lonely stretch of toad in the Panamint Valley, one rider on his a new Suzuki was seen riding dressed in his helmet, gloves, boots jockey shorts, and that's all. Next year he said he wants to show up on a Suzuki Hayabussa, the fastest motorcycle in the world. Maybe he'll be the fasted naked guy alive.
Dinner at first night was at Denny's in Bishop and it was not too good. A new restaurant will need to be found for the next ride (suggestions anyone?). The second night dinner at Carrows in Bakersfield, with our usual private dining was once again a great success. For about the fourth year in a row, Doris was our waitress and she welcomes us back.
Non riders who had heard about the event acknowledged us along the way. At Tioga Pass, a couple came up to several riders and asked "Are you the queers?". The woman said she had found the page on the web and knew we were coming. At Zabriskie Point, two men, an older gay couple said they too had found us on the net and decided to come up and take a look.
So, that's the report from the 1999 edition of the Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley. Perhaps you might join us for the millennium edition of the ride this year. Remember, if you miss the millennium edition of the ride this year, you will have to wait another 1,000 years for the next millennium edition. And that is too long to wait, so start making your plans now. October 7-9, 2000. Be there and be queer!
E mail: mcpsycle@well.com