Hello, new to this sub and new to bike touring. My dad (67yo) and I (28yo) are planning a 5-day trip in Death Valley National Park this March. The research we have done so far has lead us to this rough itinerary – [https://www.strava.com/routes/3180642746582653526](https://www.strava.com/routes/3180642746582653526) \- with written details/timeline below.
We’re fit and active with plenty of biking experience, but zero bike tour experience. We have some insights from a bike shop in Pahrump, NV and friends of friends who did a similar trip recently, but could use any and all advice from folks with more experience.
Could anyone advise on whether this route looks viable for us? Alternative route suggestions? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated, especially if you have biked in Death Valley before. Thanks!
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March 10: Wake up early in Pahrump, NV. Ride 60 miles to Furnace Creek (Sleep Night 1 of 2 at Furnace Creek Inn)
March 11: Wake up in Furnace Creek Inn and do a local ride to nearby sites – Badwater basin, Zabriskie Point or both (Sleep night 2 of 2 at Furnace Creek Inn)
March 12: Early morning 25 mile ride from Furnace Creek to Stovepipe wells, relax at hotel/explore nearby (Sleep night 1 of 2 at Stovepipe Wells Hotel)
March 13: Explore local sights/hikes near stovepipe wells – Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Devil’s Cornfield (Sleep night 2 of 2 at Stovepipe Wells Hotel)
March 14: Early morning departure, ride 45 miles from Stovepipe wells to Beatty, NV outside of the park (Stay at motel in Beatty)
March 15: Explore Beatty/Rhyolite and get shuttled with bikes back to Pahrump, NV
by poolboydrew
1 Comment
Definitely doable if the weather cooperates. Sometimes you’ll get a heat spike that will drive temps into the 90s in March which will be a bad time.
Some of that road going out of Parhump is rather narrow especially the curvy bit just west of town. Check it out on Google’s Street View to make sure you feel comfortable with cars doing 70+ going by you.
Make sure to keep yourself up-to-date on any road closures in Death Valley. For example, the road you intend to ride to get to Beatty was closed earlier in the year due to flood damage.
Regarding shuttle service, I don’t of one that runs regularly between Betty and Pahrump.