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The 2007 ride - No big story by me of this years ride except to say it was great, and we had trouble getting over the Sierra due to some passes being closed by snow! But everything worked out. We also stayed the second night in Kernville, which is a better choice than staying in Bakersfield. So it will be Kernville for the second night from now on. Below are two links to a story and pictures of the 2007 ride.
http://www.wuzzle.com/07dv.html
And for what happened the year before, check out
Story and Pictures of the 2006 ride
For a good summary of the background the philosophy of the ride, check out the Story of the 2005 Ride.
Welcome to the information page of the Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley. For those of you who have been on a previous ride, welcome back. To all those who are new, prepare for a unique experience. You can get a better idea of what this ride is about by checking out the stories of the past rides.
The Queer Biker Invasion of Death Valley is an adrenalin pumping three day rolling motorcycle party of 1,000 miles, where riders get to see the most fantastic scenery in North America and party with other queer bikers.
This ride is different. It is a do it yourself ride where everyone is encouraged to just do the parts of the ride they want to do, and leave the rest behind. Nothing is required of anyone. There is no registration, no fees, no pins, no tee shirts. Simply an opportunity for queer bikers to ride to the lowest point in North America and experience the depths with other queer bikers. 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, unusual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, polyamorous or transgender. So if you are a biker and the preceding fits, join us!
Here is the basic idea. I, Michael Psycle, the fearless disorganizer of the ride, will lead a group of riders along a set route and at set times. You can take part in all, or some part of the ride. You decide what is right for you. You make all your own motel reservations, etc. The "official" ride starts on Castro Street between 17th and 18th Street on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
Short summary of the ride:
We will leave Castro Street a little after 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2008, and will travel East on Route 120 through Yosemite Park and over Tioga Pass, (at almost 10,000 feet it is the highest mountain pass in California) and then South on Route 395 to Bishop, CA where we will spend the first night. Sunday, October 12, 2008, will take the group through Death Valley (the lowest place in North America you can ride your bike) to Zabriskie Point for a noon time gathering with all other queer bikers who show up; then West on Route 178 (a great road for bikes) across the southern Sierra to Kernville, CA where we will spend the second night. On Monday, October 13, 2008, (Columbus Day) we will return to San Francisco via deserted roads through the Central Valley and back roads through the coastal mountains.
If you want to travel by yourself, you can meet us anywhere along the way or at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley (it is off Route 190 several miles south of Furnace Creek in Death Valley) at High Noon on Sunday, October 11, 2008.
All level of biker skills are welcome. In past years, we had riders who liked to ride slow and often left early or met us at prearranged stopping points after we got there. Others who wanted to ride faster did so. Most of us rode in a disorganized group leaving and stopping together. And everyone agreed that we had a great time.
So...if you wish to join us, the following information will help.
Gathering Place: Castro Street between 17th Street and 18th Street, San Francisco.
Date: October 11, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m.
The Route: Bay Bridge to East on Interstate 580 for 49 miles (through Oakland, San Leandro, the Livermore Valley and over Altamont Pass), East on Interstate 205 for 15 miles, North on Interstate 5 for one mile, East on Route 120 for 164 miles (alternate Route 108 over Sonora Pass), then south on Route 395 to Bishop, CA. Mapquest directions San Francisco to Bishop, CA
First Stop - about 80 miles - Manteca, CA - Route 120 and Route 99 will coincide for about a mile. Just as you get off of Route 99 there is a 76 Station on the right.
Second Stop - about 140 Miles - About a quarter of a mile past the top of Old Priest Grade (which means you should take the turn off on your right for Old Priest Grade). It's a great little twisty old road and will save you from being stuck in back of some truck or RV for five miles. Just before Big Oak Flat; there is an independent gas station on the right side of the road. Stop here for gas, and then proceed about two miles until you reach the PJ Café (on the left side of the road) for lunch.
(alternate route - some riders who want to avoid the toll for Yosemite take Route 108 over Sonora Pass and then south on Route 395. We meet up at the gas stop at the intersection of Routes 120 and 395. This route is a big longer, twisty and takes a lot more work, but is fun is you like that kind of riding).
Third Stop - Olmstead Point - In the Yosemite high country, along Route 120 is this spectacular place. It will cost you $10 to get into Yosemite. Hold onto your receipt as you will have to show it to get out of the park at Tioga Pass). Olmstead Point is about 200 miles into the trip - from Olmstead Point you have a view back toward Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Fourth Stop - The intersection of Routes 120 and 395. Gas stop
Fifth Stop - a natural Hot Creek - off Route 395, near Mammoth Lake there is a big green Caltrans sign telling you to the left for a Fish Hatchery and Hot Creek. The Hot Creek is in the middle of a cold mountain spring and has bubbling water coming up from an underground volcano. You can get into the stream and depending on how close you get to the bubbles, you can stay in water of whatever temperature you want. If you get separated from the group, take the turn off and keep going down the road which is dirt and gravel at points for several miles. You will pass several small parking lots on your left until you get to a larger one which has a building for lavatories, changing clothes, etc. Note - this is technically a state park and the signs say "No Nude Bathing". Each year now a CHP shows up and he seems to be looking to cite nude bathers in the water.
Approximate mileage for Day One is 300 miles.
Motels in Bishop California
The disorganizer of this ride is staying at the Motel 6 in Bishop (760 873-8426). This is property #4094 in the Motel 6 listings. The number if you want to make a reservation to stay in this Motel 6 is 800-4MOTEL6, or you can get a discount by doing it online at http://www.motel6.com/.
Other motels in Bishop (as listed in the AAA Tourbook are)
Party Time in Bishop - After everyone eats dinner, we gather at La Casita Mexican restaurant and bar on Main Street in Bishop and turn it into the hottest and only queer biker bar for 200 miles in any direction. Leave your bike at the motel and join us for some drinks and fun.
Gathering Place: The parking lot of the Motel 6 in Bishop.
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m. sharp! (this leaving time is important if we are to get to Zabriskie Point by noon.)
The Route: South on 395 for 40 miles till Lone Pine. South on Route 136 for 18 miles, East on Route 190 for 90 miles to Zabriskie Point. West on Route 190 for 60 miles, South on Route 178 (the Panamint Valley Road) until Sierra Way. Right to Kernville, 13 miles.
Mapquest directions Bishop to Furness Creek, Death Valley - Zabriskie Point is 5 miles beyond Furness Creek.
Mapquest directions Furness Creek, Death Valley to Kernville
1st Stop - Gas at the Chevron station just south of Lone Pine before the turn off for Route 136
2nd stop - Overlook on the east side of the Panamint Valley.
3rd stop - Zabriskie Point for our noon gathering
4th stop - Furnace Creek Ranch for lunch and gas.
5th stop - Trona, CA, for gas. Then, on to Kernville.
Approximately mileage for Day Two is 350 miles.
Here are places to stay in Kernville.
Durrwood Creekside Lodge, 100 Mountain 99 Hwy, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2719, Fax: (760) 376-2719, Web Site: http://www.durrwoodcreeksidelodge.com/
Falling Waters River Resort, 15729 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2242
Johnny Mc Nally's Lodge, Hc 1 Box 95, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2430
Kern Lodge, 67 Valley View Drive, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2223
Kern River Golden Trout Resort, 15.5 Mile Mtn 99, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-6033
Kern River Inn Bed & Breakfast, 119 Kern River Drive, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-6750
Kernville Inn, P.O. Box 2026, 11042 Kernville Road, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (877) 393-7900, Fax: (760) 376-3735, E-Mail: info@kernvilleinn.com, Web Site: www.kernvilleinn.com
Mc Cambridge Lodge Motel, 13525 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2288
Pine Cone Inn Motel-Restaurant, 13745 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-6669
River View Lodge, 2 Sirretta Street, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-6019
Sequoia Lodge, 16123 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-2535
Valley View Motel, 12041 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-1196
Whispering Pines Lodge, 13745 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238, Phone: (760) 376-3733
Dinner and partying in Kernville - We will be making announcements during the ride regarding dinner. Something will be arranged. Check in with others as to what will be happening.
Day Three - Kernville to San Francisco
Gathering Place: The center of Kernville
Date: Monday, October 13, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m. (time to sleep in)
The Route: Sierra Way south to Highway 178 (13 miles), west on Route 178 to Bakersfield, north on Route 99, (20 miles), West on Route 46 (37) miles, North on Route 33 (45 miles) to Coalinga, west on Route 198 (35 miles), then north on Route 25 (78 mile)s to Gilroy. Finally, it's north on Route 101 for the last 90 miles to San Francisco.
1st stop - Gas somewhere along Route 46.
2nd Stop - Coalinga - Gas and food at the intersection of Route 33 and 198. Lunch at the Perko's Coffee House where we will stop for one final meal together
3rd stop - Hollister - gas at the Chevron station after you make the left at the light. one last opportunity to say good bye, then it's off to home and looking forward to next year's ride.
Mileage for day three - 350 miles.
If you cannot make this trip, please pass this information along to a friend. If you can make it, see you there.
Last updated February 12, 2008