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Death Valley 2010 CBX Rally
Suited up and threw a leg over the faithful steed, then hit the choke & starter button. The staccato rasp of a barely-muffled turbocharged Honda CBX filled
the cool morning air with its hair-raising sound as small animals and birds took flight and ran for cover. I snicked the undercut trans into 1st gear and slid
the clutch out to get underway for the 13th annual Death Valley CBX rally. I topped off with as much premium fuel as could be packed in the tank and headed
for the highway to air out the venerable turbo CBX's ample lungs and enjoy one of the more righteously fun rides we've all been doing out west here.
After cleaning out the cobwebs from the compressor housing, I settled the beast into a steady 75mph cruising speed and headed north through the urban sprawl
of L.A. and the San Fernando Valley, then out of town on State Rte. 14 north to the 1st planned refuel stop in beautiful downtown Mojave, CA. Once more
hi-octane(?) fuel was added to the thirsty steed's tank, luggage security was checked and I was on my way once again. Heading north on 14, I settled back and
listened to the CBX's music emanate from the single 3" dump tube from the turbine outlet and enjoyed the desert scenery and solitude.
Veering off the main highway on a slightly more northeasterly course on Randsburg-Redrock Road, I ran the bike up to a slightly higher cruising speed and
wicked the throttle a few times as the turbocharged six belted out its music. Several minutes later, the turnoff for the Garlock Rd. cutoff appeared and I
veered left and onto the road. Several wide flat-out sweepers met me and the seething six as we ate up asphalt(and fuel)at an alarming rate! All too soon,
US395 appeared at a stop sign, and I turned left onto the highway and went up to another turnoff known as Searles Station Cutoff Rd., swung right on this road
and cleared the railroad tracks at a reduced speed to keep the bottom of the bike intact. I proceeded to where the cutoff dumped me onto Trona Rd. and kept at
a speedy northeasterly pace and soon came to State Rte. 178 east of Ridgecrest, CA. Turning right onto the road, I accelerated briskly up to cruising speed
and followed it through the small canyon and some nice sweeper turns, and then turned with the road on a northerly direction past the borax plants and Searles
Dry Lake en route to fuel stop #2 for the ride.
Having had some cold water and a pit stop for the pilot as well as the bike, I got on the black turbo six and swung out into the highway going north out of
the bustling metropolis of Trona, CA. Once city limits were cleared, I turned up the wick slightly and went over the summit going out of town into the
Panamint Valley. After the twisty section going down the grade was cleared, the road straightened out after several excellent wide sweeper turns and I threw
some fire into the turbo unit, quickly accelerating up to an illegally fast cruising speed and just as quickly arriving at the intersection of Panamint Valley
Rd. and Wildrose Cyn. Road. A short inflight breather was taken with more cold water and some munchies, then out on Panamint Valley Rd. at a healthy clip to
State Rte. 190, the main west-east artery into Death Valley Nat'l Park.
I maneuvered the CBX onto the highway and very quickly accelerated around a motorhome and a couple of unsuspecting cars, then cranked up the throttle and let
the turbo spool up and fill the CBX's lungs with copious amounts of premium fuel up the grade and excellent twisties up to Towne Pass at 4900 ft., the last
bit of cool air before dropping down the narrow canyon and twisties where the road finally straightened out. I cranked on the throttle some more and cleared
some air on a few dips/rises in the otherwise straight highway and kept in it unitl it sputtered and ran out the main tank. I hit my reserve fuel and
proceeded a bit more cautiously into Stovepipe Wells, an out post at the west end of the park. Fuel was added with some modifiers to allow for regular fuel to
be run, and I grabbed some more cold water from the tank bag.
Upon refreshing myself and my faithful ride, I then set out for the 25 mile ride to the Furnace Creek Ranch Resort facility along a nicely paved road and
proceeded well below sea level according to the roadside signs posted along the way. I pulled into the facility, parked in the shade as high temps were
affecting the power output of the ride at this point, and got my room and proceeded down to where the whole crew let out a recognizing yell as I pulled into
the parking area, and they pressed a cold drink into my hand upon disembarkment from the turbo CBX.
This is what it's all about--good bikes, good friends, good food/drink, and most of all, good times!! Death Valley is one of our more fun runs and the most
relaxing in my opinion.
DV10 will be held April 23rd, 24th, 25th, & 26th, 2010--last date for group reservation is March 22nd, so get 'em in now!!
Click here for more info: DV10 Rally info
Come on out and join in the fun!!
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