Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
So my friends and I are planning a trip to Nevada in July/Aug. I'm only going out for part of it, so I thought I'd take the bike (from Colorado to Las Vegas). Obviously mid-day will be scorching hot, so what I'm thinking about is this: Sleep the afternoon, take off a little after midnight or the like, and ride through to the morning, try to get to Las Vegas around noon or so.
Question is, anyone tried this? How well does it work? How hot is it really around there during that time of year?
Question is, anyone tried this? How well does it work? How hot is it really around there during that time of year?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 3
From: san antonio, tx
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
i don't know what the critters are like around your neck of the woods, but around here, once the sun goes down, deer like to dart out in front of you. just sayin....be careful.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 61
From: Near YVR
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
Watch out for Deer, Cattle and other animals that may also like to trvedl in the the coolest part of the night.
Not to mention them 18 wheeers that are pounding the pavement then as well.
Hope this gives you some insite.
Rob
Not to mention them 18 wheeers that are pounding the pavement then as well.
Hope this gives you some insite.
Rob
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
Those two months are some of the hotter time of the year in Vegas. I'm with the rest of the guys here. I personally would not spend a lot of time riding at night in these regions due to the critters on the road.
Are you hoping to do this ride in one day or over the course of a couple of days. Personally if I were going to do this sort of trip, I would "split the difference with you". I'd make tracks as the sun is coming up and ride till it got too hot. The hottest time of the day will generally start around 2 PM. Figuring that the sun is up at 5:30 ish at that time of the year, that would give you quite a few hours in the saddle and make the trip pretty doable in 2 days.
Last but not least... And I know you know this, but.... make sure your carrying water. Personally I would carry a gallon minimum.
Best of luck to you on your trip!
Are you hoping to do this ride in one day or over the course of a couple of days. Personally if I were going to do this sort of trip, I would "split the difference with you". I'd make tracks as the sun is coming up and ride till it got too hot. The hottest time of the day will generally start around 2 PM. Figuring that the sun is up at 5:30 ish at that time of the year, that would give you quite a few hours in the saddle and make the trip pretty doable in 2 days.
Last but not least... And I know you know this, but.... make sure your carrying water. Personally I would carry a gallon minimum.
Best of luck to you on your trip!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 121
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From:
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
I rode from Flagstaff AZ to Barstow CA in 115 degree heat a couple of years back. It was bad... but not THAT bad. Keep hydrated - and oddly as it may sound, I found using a white or light colored long sleave t-shirt was best. I've heard of people buying bags of ice from the grocery store and strapping them to their handlebars - the water spray as the ice melts is supposed to help.
oh - duh - and sun screen. LOTS of sun screen.
Ride in the day time, it's safer and not that big of a deal.
oh - duh - and sun screen. LOTS of sun screen.
Ride in the day time, it's safer and not that big of a deal.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 13
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
Not sure how eager I would be wanting to ride some of the passes at night. There are enough switchbacks that can make daytime riding inderesting are you taking I70 to I15? Also keep in ming you could get some pretty good temp drops so you're certainly needing to be wearing some heavy clothes. A couple of years ago I road Rocky Mountain National park was 85 in Denver and low 40s after driving US 34to the peak
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
yeah, planning I70 to I15 straight in. I've got a couple of camelbaks I'm planning on carrying - 1.5 gallons of water total, stopping every 100 miles or so to refil, refuel, and rest. I don't mind taking plenty of time to get there, but definitely leaning on a day trip out and a day trip back. Back will be with escort of a couple of cars.
What about starting out early, say 5am or something, and rolling as long as I can, stopping, and rolling then as night falls?
What about starting out early, say 5am or something, and rolling as long as I can, stopping, and rolling then as night falls?
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
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From: Toronto
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
When we rode out there the past few summers we just got an early start and try to put a few miles on before it got to hot. Then we took more breaks in the afternoon. The others are right....the animals are out during the day and are more plentiful at night when you can't see them....
Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!..........and if you're in the mountains you will be cooler.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/48412/37AD80B08A5645128FA6978D8F95B145.jpg[/IMG]
Life is Great....We all Ride!!!!..........and if you're in the mountains you will be cooler.....
[IMG]local://upfiles/48412/37AD80B08A5645128FA6978D8F95B145.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Denver, Colorado
RE: Colorado to Nevada in July/August. - Ride at midnight?
ORIGINAL: Blind Boy Grunt
I get white knuckles driving my truck over Vail Pass at night looking out for elk. I can't imagine taking one on with a sporty.
I get white knuckles driving my truck over Vail Pass at night looking out for elk. I can't imagine taking one on with a sporty.