Death Valley

[SportsterDoc]

2 of my 6 Harleys were Sportsters, a 59 XLCH (right side shift, left side brake) bought used in 1969 and a 94 XLCH bought new in 1993 (had to wait months to get it). It was amazing how similar the bikes were in sound and feel, but the 94 was of course a much better bike than the 59.

I have ridden only one right shift bike, a European dirt bike and I can't begin to recall how many times I downshifted instead of using the rear brake!

I remember years ago driving thru death valley with my wife in a terrible thunder storm , luckily we were in a car.

The area roads had many signs of flash flooding during the last rain(s).

Most sand was cleared but enough left to be cautious entering blind curves.

Many folks think of the desert as sand, but under a shallow layer of sand or rocks is a hard layer that prevents peculation, so the water flows, oft with destruction (Death Valley Scotties "castle" is still closed).

Lots of tar snakes on highway 178 near Jubilee Pass. Not good for aggressive cornering in hot weather.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shosho...16.2711387