DDMC Reno to Gerlach Overnight Dual Sport/ADV Ride, October 10-11, 2026

[Kurt138]

Hey guys and gals,

I would like to bookmark the October 10th-11th weekend for a club ride.

I have a dual sport/ADV ride from Reno to Gerlach with an overnight stay at Bruno’s Country Club.

The routes are more difficult than a typical run up to Gerlach on county roads, which is why I am planning for an overnight stay. Going light will also be the better choice, hence Bruno’s is preferred over camping off the bike. Room reservations at Bruno’s are $72 if you book on their web site.

The difficulty level for the dual sport route will be A- with single track and some steep climbs, but no rock gardens. The difficulty level for the ADV route will be B with some sand and moderate climbs.

The routes will start and end at Bully’s at the intersection of Pyramid Highway and Eagle Canyon Road (so we are actually starting in Spanish Springs, not Reno).

The outbound route will go through Moon Rocks and skirt the Dogskin Mountains, go counter-clockwise around Pyramid Lake, then continue on to Gerlach via easy trails in Sage Hen Valley. There will be a gas/hydratrion stop in Nixon.

The return route will traverse the Black Rock Desert and then head south through the Selenite and Nightingale Mountains. We will stop for gas and a hydration break in Nixon as on the outbound route. We won’t go through Moon Rocks on the return to Sparks but there will be some great views in the Pah Rah Range.

Kirk and Greg R. both are interested in a “650 Showdown” drag race while we are up there in the Black Rock Desert. Maybe we can get Dennis out there on his big bore 650 too? Who else wants to get into the bracket?

If this sounds like a fun weekend to you, save the date.

The tracks and ride details are now ready. The A route is 135 miles on Saturday and 158 miles on Sunday. The B route is 140 miles on Saturday and 131 miles on Sunday.

The A route tracks are in post #8360 in this thread.

The B route tracks are in post #8365 in this thread

Please load all the tracks so you have options this weekend.

Kickstands up at 10 AM at Bully’s in Spanish Springs. See you out there!

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

• This topic was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Kurt138.
• This topic was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Kurt138.
• This topic was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Kurt138.
• This topic was modified 1 week, 3 days ago by Kurt138. Reason: Removed Sutcliffe - no gas available
• This topic was modified 5 days, 8 hours ago by Kurt138. Reason: Added links to GPX files

[Greg R]

You know that Elvira (my DR650) will spank ’em all, so why bother…

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Eric Larsen]

in. Room Reserved!

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

• This reply was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by Eric Larsen.
• This reply was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by Eric Larsen.

[Dennis Larry]

I will do the Big Bore Shootout on one condition, Paul rides my XR. I think I am at a huge weight disadvantage unless you skinny guys agree to ride 2 up 🤣
Dennis

[Greg R]

The Black Rock Desert will provide me with an ideal test-and-tune environment for my DR650 before the Big Bore event. I have been running out of “runway” on local back roads while testing my latest upgrade.

Ya’ll gonna get smoked…

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Greg R.

[Kurt138]

Greg R wrote:

The Black Rock Desert will provide me with an ideal test-and-tune environment for my DR650 before the Big Bore event. I have been running out of “runway” on local back roads while testing my latest upgrade.

Ya’ll gonna get smoked…

• This reply was modified 3 months, 1 week ago by Greg R.

The Black Rock is also the ideal place to check your (GPS) top speed. Can anyone hit triple digits on a single?

Dennis Larry wrote:

I will do the Big Bore Shootout on one condition, Paul rides my XR. I think I am at a huge weight disadvantage unless you skinny guys agree to ride 2 up 🤣
Dennis

If Paul is not available I’d love to try your XR. I am 198, so I’m quite a bit heavier than Greg, but probably about the same as Kirk.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Kurt138]

Greg R wrote:

You know that Elvira (my DR650) will spank ’em all, so why bother…

Nope, that’s not the Elvira I want spanking me!

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Greg R]

Ahhh…legendary Elvira! The OEM color scheme of the 2025 DR650 was black and gray with orange script on the gas tank and headlight fairing. The colors reminded me of Halloween, which reminded me of Elvira.. So, the legend’s name was thereby given to my DR. I name all of my motor vehicles.

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[RenoDeano]

I hope to make the ride. Is the Husaberg 570 eligible for the drag race? I think Paul and I will also bring the BETA 390 RR, but it might be down on top end speed.

H. D. Chaney

[Dennis Larry]

Hey wait a minute Deano, I already recruited Paul to drag race Big Red. Did you sweeten the pot behind my back! Should be good fun.
Dennis

[Jose Hanagan]

I’m bummed I won’t make this. I’ll be out of the country until the 14th.

KLR 650

[Kurt138]

RenoDeano wrote:

I hope to make the ride. Is the Husaberg 570 eligible for the drag race? I think Paul and I will also bring the BETA 390 RR, but it might be down on top end speed.

Hey Deano,

How about if we open up the the drag race to all bikes?

We just need a 650 bracket so we can determine who is the king of the modified 650s. We could also have a dual sport bracket and an ADV bracket, as well as an overall winner. Maybe a 650 wins the overall crown too?

Best 2 out of 3 drags moves on in the bracket!

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Kurt138]

I reserved an “Extended Stay King” room…when I booked it was the same price as the basic room with a Queen-sized bed.

Bonus: the room should have more space inside to park my Kawi, ha.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

[Greg R]

Kurt, are the rooms accessible from outside (to facilitate “indoor” parking) or an interior hall?

Otherwise, do you know if there is a secure parking area onsite?

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Dave G]

The room I stayed in was off a central hallway. I wouldn’t worry too much about bike out there. Someone will probably have a big bike and can maybe bring a long cable/lock and lock a bunch of bikes together.

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