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I get up a bit earlier than usual this morning in preparation for the potentially unpredictable day
The morning starts off a bit chilly, so my two cups of good strong coffee are soothing. A new addition to my cooking equipment is my wrench, which I need because the knob to open and close the valve of my propane burner disappeared a couple of days ago.
Date: May 04, 2008, 08h51
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After a relaxing start to the morning, I empty the tent and begin packing up
I could easily spend another day here at Keystone Canyon, but the smartest thing to do is move on. I have to accept the reality that the 10-ton bike could become disabled should I have more problems with my rear rack between here and Baker.
Date: May 04, 2008, 11h09
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The last items to be removed from the tent are a big rock and my water bag
I placed these items in the corners of the tent to keep it from blowing away in last night's wind.
Date: May 04, 2008, 11h09
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Last night's strong wind continues this morning and tries to push the tent around while I get ready to dismantle it
However, it doesn't cause much of a problem; I've gotten fairly good at taking the tent down in the wind!
Date: May 04, 2008, 11h10
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All packed up, I begin walking the bike down Keystone Canyon; my tripod blows over and my camera lands face-first and dies
What a finale! I can't take any more photos during the rest of this trip, so I'll just fill in gaps with a few photos taken earlier, or during previous trips here.
Date: May 04, 2008, 11h51
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I walk my bike down the mostly-bumpy two miles of Keystone Canyon Road
My original plan was to end this trip by riding across the middle of Mojave National Preserve on the dirt Cedar Canyon Road. Instead, to reach pavement as soon as possible because of my broken rear rack, I'm heading back toward Ivanpah Valley.
Date: May 02, 2008, 17h49
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Well, I've been riding Ivanpah Road for a mile now and am passing the settlement of Barnwell again; so far, so good!
I'm taking advantage of the zero traffic on the road and ride all over the road to avoid the bumpiest, most washboarded parts.
Date: April 24, 2006, 13h58
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Ivanpah Road rises over the pass and begins its slow descent down into the valley
It's really tempting to ride fast down these hills, but I'm afraid to let the bike take too much vibration on this rough road, lest my repaired rack break again.
Date: April 24, 2006, 14h05
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I really like this area of Ivanpah Road where my bike broke down a couple of days ago
I still want to do a short side trip or two on the back roads in this area, but today I'm aiming for pavement and don't want to test my bike's strength any more than I need to.
Date: April 24, 2006, 14h21
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As Ivanpah Road comes out of the hills, views into the valley open up
A small cabin off to the right is part of one the old mining areas along here.
Date: April 24, 2006, 14h35
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I pass the worn sign to the old Goldome mine
This photo was taken in 2006, but the sign is still here in 2008.
Date: April 24, 2006, 14h36
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With relief, I'm back on the paved part of Ivanpah Road now and I'm letting the bike gain speed as I ride down the smooth hill
The bike is handling well and I'm starting to feel like it might do just fine for the rest of the trip provided I stay on pavement. I'm approaching the abandoned store that I visited on the way up the hill two days ago.
Date: April 24, 2008, 14h47
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The final slow descent to the bottom of Ivanpah Valley passes beautifully
I find myself riding at over 30 miles per hour a few times, forgetting than I'm riding a potentially disabled bike.
Date: April 24, 2006, 14h56
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Good things do come to an end, and I reach the bottom of Ivanpah Valley and the beginning of Morning Star Mine Road
It has been mostly downhill today from my Keystone Canyon campsite at 5300 feet to the bottom of Ivanpah Road at about 2650 feet. I turn left here and it will be uphill for the rest of the day.
Date: April 24, 2006, 15h22
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I have about 10 miles of uphill ahead of me on Morning Star Mine Road
"Caution: this road subject to flash-flood." I'm heading south now, and the first thing I notice is that I'm pedalling hard into a strong headwind.
Date: April 25, 2006, 11h56
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Morning Star Mine Road keeps climbing slowly up the fan
I've ridden up this long hill a couple of times in the past, and it's more long than it is difficult. However, today's headwind is making it a bit more demanding than I remember.
Date: April 25, 2006, 12h17
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I stop a few miles up Morning Star Mine Road and look back to see how far I've risen
I'm perhaps halfway up the hill. The strong headwind is beating me back!
Date: April 25, 2006, 13h57
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I take a break on the way up endless Morning Star Mine Road (at the old corral) and see a bicycle speed down the road
The bicycle looks to be fully loaded, the first other camping bicycle I've ever come across during my trips out here. The rider rings his bell and waves as he passes downward at hummingbird speed.
Date: April 25, 2006, 13h58
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