Denver to Las Vegas at end of July - Ducati.ms

puchika · Jun 22nd, 2009, 11:06 pm

Hi all, hope this is the proper forum to ask my question.

I'm thinking of riding to a work even in Las Vegas the last week of July from Denver (and back). I've gotten some discouragement from some, admitedly from those who aren't bikers.

I'm wondering just how bad I can expect the desert crossing to be and exactly at which point the desert portion begins if I take the I-70 route (is there a better alternative heat wise?):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,11.733398&z=7

I've gathered from other reading that in the extreme hot weather, it's better to wear my textile non perforated jacket than my perforated one. Basically to keep my ability to sweat and avoid the hot wind against my skin.

I'm looking for some input from others who have done hot weather riding. Athletically, I've always had a very high heat tolerance as long as I stay hydrated. I wold like some assurance I'm not going on some death ride and my air cooled Duc 696 isn't going to overheat on me (assuming I've been keeping good care of her).

TIA

Bill_Anderson · Jun 23rd, 2009, 8:15 am

I ride with perforated leathers in the summer, although usually not in temps as hot as you are likely to see. Wear appropriate clothing under the leathers such as an Under Armour shirt and a cooling vest. The important thing is to stay hydrated. I have read that if you are not taking a pee at every gas stop, then you are not drinking enough water.

jbcaddy · Jun 23rd, 2009, 11:07 am

I wear perf textile and drink lots of water. don't drink many "sports" drinks. you don't need the sugar, just the hydration of water.
don't pass Green River without stopping for gas. long stretch w/o gas follows.
head south on Utah 89 rather than 15. much better scenery and cooler temps. then take 9 through Zion nat'l park. worth the toll to see the park and ride through the tunnel.
From St. George down through the canyon you may hit heavy winds that will knock you around a bit and the hottest part of the trip will be the desert and Las Vegas pavement.
I've never used one, but if you don't have a backpack that has a hydro pack, you might think about getting one. they have a tube that allows you to drink without taking your helmet off. you can drink n ride. lots easier than having to stop and get the bottle out of a pack and taking your helmet off.
you also might want a wrist assist or similar product. those long straight stretches can get to your throttle wrist. and if you don't have sport touring tires you will be amazed at how fast your tires will wear out. pilot powers or similar will wear out in a flash. I am using pilot road 2's and really like them. just did over three thousand miles of the southwest and still have good tread left, even in the center with not too bad of a flat area.
some of the casino hotels have video watching the parking lots. you might ask security at your hotel where to park.

Ride · Jun 23rd, 2009, 11:52 am

Rode the I 10 from LA to Phoenix late last June ( not on the Duc ) and it was probably the hottest ride I've ever taken. Went through Palm Springs around 11:00 a.m. and it was already over 100. Phoenix was 114 on arrival. I was downing a large bottle of water every gas stop. Two of them when I stopped in Phoenix. I make the ride from Wyoming to Vegas at least three times during the summer. You'll be fine through Colorado but once you drop out of St. George and down into Vegas on the I 15 it will feel like a blast furnace. Drink TONS of water and Bill Anderson is right on with his advice...you should be taking a good leak every stop. I like a long sleeve tee with a vest. When it gets over 100 I like to soak the tee down and ride it dry. Amazing how much cooler it is. Zion is a must and you'll love the Wind River Canyon on the way to Vegas. Enjoy !

puchika · Jun 24th, 2009, 9:48 pm

What do you guys recommend to cover your legs? I have both textile mesh and non-mesh pants that zip to my jacket. I'm thinking the mesh because the non-mesh has a waterproof barrier that may get too hot. Would the heated air coming through the mesh be uncomfortable on my lower body though?

Thanks again

sfarson · Jun 25th, 2009, 7:00 am

puchiak... Yes, I would wear the mesh pants. It may be a dry warm, but it would be better than a steamy wet warm.

Your route to Vegas has only one advantage... speed to Vegas and back. If you can scratch out the time, you will be riding near some of the best riding anwhere... and it will be a little bit cooler in places. I'd head west via 50 or 160 in southern CO, enjoying the cool high mountain passes. Aim for Blanding in Utah. Then ride the great UT 95, 24, and 12 through the lined-up national parks, monuments, and rec areas along the way. Memorable. Aim for Cedar City on I-15 then head south to Vegas. Seriously, consider this alternative versus the Utah furnace of I-70 and I-15 while you drone on slabs with the truck traffic.

puchika · Aug 25th, 2009, 12:55 pm

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies. I did the ride last month and all went well. Thanks for the suggestions especially the ones to take Hwy 89 down to Zion National Park. I was blown away by that place. Up until then, I had only seen Utah along I-80 which is boring (among other things)

I bought a cooling vest (http://store.mm411.com/catalog/index...Id=294&id=1005) before the trip. During the stretch from St. George to Vegas, my Duc was saying it was 120 F out! The cooling vest felt like air conditioning and made all the difference under my vented jacket.

In fact, the Duc did much better than me, because I had to stop 1/2 way across to resoak the vest. I was surprised she was only running at 5 of 8 bars on the temp gauge the whole time!

Thanks again!

P.S. Here's the route I took and imported from my GPS http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=297030