Meet your companions and transfer to Death Valley for our first ride!
Meet your guides and fellow travelers this morning at our host hotel located in Henderson, Nevada (approx. 20 minutes from Las Vegas). A brief orientation ensures we are all systems go before we load into our private van and set out for Death Valley National Park. Driving to the east side of the park, we'll be fitted on our bikes and begin our ride through this alien landscape to Stovepipe Wells. We take in our first spectacular views of this vast national park and catch glimpses of the salt flats and sand dunes as we drop over 2,000' in elevation. After reaching Stovepipe Wells, we can leave our bikes behind and venture out onto the nearby Mesquite Flat sand dunes for a memorable Death Valley sunset. After a soul rejuvenating sunset, we enjoy a rustic dinner at the Toll Road restaurant before cozying down in our hotel rooms to muse about the day & enjoy a well-earned rest. Lunch and dinner included.
Cycling: 36.8 miles with 651' of elevation gain and 2,763' of elevation loss. Drive time: 2.5 hours.
Enjoy a ride down the valley from the Ubehebe Crater
After breakfast, we shuttle to the start of today's ride at the Ubehebe Crater. Ubehebe, meaning "Big Basket", is a 600' deep Maar crater formed as little as 2,100 years ago by steam and gas explosions of an active volcano. You will also see other lesser craters as well as cinder fields. After an optional hike exploring the crater, we are a light snack away from a brief but invigorating climb out of the crater region and the start of nearly 3000' of descent down the valley toward Stovepipe wells. Those wishing to extend the day will have the option of climbing partially up daylight pass before rejoining the main route. A hard earned meal awaits and don't forget all those stars that are visible in the desert night sky! When is the last time you saw the Milky Way? All meals included.
Cycling: 46 miles. Elevation gain of 879'; elevation loss 3486'. Optional ride up to 18 miles with elevation gain/loss 2,125'; Walking: .25- 1.5 miles with minimal elevation gain/loss. Drive time: 1 hour.
Ride to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America
Our memorable morning ride leads us to iconic Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level & the lowest point in North America. Our route is a dramatically scenic one as it slices through a landscape flanked by multi-hued geological formations that reflect dusty pinks, sea greens, ashy purples, and moody browns. In springtime, roadside meadows may be dotted with colorful wildflowers, adding more pops of color to our surroundings. A 12-mile loop to Artist's Palette (optional) along Artist Drive should not be missed. The ride takes you through canyons, past mountains covered in fantastic colors & a little bit of cinematic history. Once at the basin, we savor the unique & hostile landscape, as well as a tasty picnic lunch prepared by our guides. Walk out to explore the salt flats to see unique salt crystals formations, created as a result of evaporation and erosion. After our visit concludes, we jump into our van and begin the return trip to Las Vegas, musing about our amazing time here and why this is called "The Valley of Death". Breakfast and lunch included.
Cycling: 30.5 miles with 2458' of elevation gain and 2543' of elevation loss. Optional extended ride of 54.8 miles with 3019' elevation gain and 3287' of elevation loss. Drive time: 2.5 hours.
