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We started out by going up the Old Toll Road to the top of Geiger Grade.
In case anyone needed a reminder that offroad riding in NV can be challenging, shortly after starting up the jeep road we came across a pickup that had rolled off the trail. No driver was evident. The trees could have prevented a few more rolls, possibly preventing serious injury to the driver.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
We took Six Mile Canyon Road from VC, then Fort Churchill Road to pick up the Pony Express Trail. Here’s a shot of historic Fort Churchill:
Rides: KLR650, KX250
Hmm, I noticed from this shot that a bolt backed out and my right rear turn signal was hanging by its wires. The first sign of attrition?
Rides: KLR650, KX250
As we got onto the Pony Express Trail the track was sandy and fast. If you slowed down you could wash out so we were all riding fast. That was working great until we came across one greasy mud hole hidden just over a small rise. Um, thank you for leading this section Randy. =^(
Rides: KLR650, KX250
Continuing on the trail was sandy, with a few small rock gardens here and there. That combo can be bad for tubes and Paul got a rear flat. He didn’t have a 17 so he put in a 21, thinking he could nurse his DR along and hopefully find another 17 in Battle Mountain.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
We continued riding sand at a pretty good pace, passing the Top Gun Raceway right before crossing I-95.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
The packed sand was fun to ride, but a little tiring. Our track would be following power lines through the Desert Mountains south of the Fallon NAS. We’d be going over the saddle ahead in the picture. I think we were all looking forward to getting onto some hardpack.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
Careful what you wish for! The trail through the Desert Mountains was steep and rocky, both going up and down. Fun technical riding on a small enduro bike, less so on anything bigger however. Here is a pic looking back from a summit on the way.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
Paul climbed these hills impressively on his DR. We hiked back down to move some of the bad actors off the trail, which looked like it hadn’t been ridden this year.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
We finally reached Middlegate Station a few hours later than planned – Dean was patiently waiting.
There are plenty of Strike Fighter Squadron and other Navy badges posted up in the head. Very cool.
We all enjoyed a huge lunch/dinner at Middlegate Station.
After lunch Dave headed back to Reno on Highway 50 – he was just planning to ride out with us for lunch.
The rest of us decided to scratch riding through the Clan Alpine range and instead ride tarmac to Battle Mountain. This was partly my fault – my bike’s USB power accessory died and my phone went black. I wasted some time tinkering with that issue. In hindsight, doing the entire day 1 route offroad would probably require either extraordinary good luck or two days of riding (spend the night in Middlegate).
Rides: KLR650, KX250
As planned, Randy headed back to Reno on tarmac after spending the night at the Big Chief in Battle Mountain.
Dean, Paul and I started Day 2 on the Battle Born North route out of Battle Mountain, in the direction of Midas then Tuscarora. The trail was decent two-track and we averaged 35-40 mph.
Rides: KLR650, KX250
Squaw Valley north of the Sheep Creek range looked to be almost perfectly carved out. By glacial retreat thousands of years ago?
Rides: KLR650, KX250
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