Triumph Trophy at Gerlachfest

In preparation for my trip to Gerlach, NV I did some more farkling of the Trophy:

• R&G Adventure Bars since it looks like a parking lot tip over would cause $1000s' in damage.
  
• A new hydration system since I'd lost the last one. This one is securely attached this time. This is the Geigerrig 3L pressure hydration pack. There are two hoses, one to pump pressure in the bladder and one for drinking. It's not as nice as the powered system I had on the BMW but it works satisfactorily.

• A cup holder cuz' I gotta have my coffee and caffeinated soda's. 

• Some daytime running lights to improve visibility. I saw this  BMW Motorrad Daytime Running Lights video a while back and it was interesting to say the least. On a recent trip I was on my BMW and my son was following on the Trophy, several times I looked in the mirror and couldn't see the headlight. These modern lights have excellent reflectors and the cutoff is such that they don't provide good daytime visibility. These lights were cheap and easy to install and I hope they show my presence to oncoming traffic. I just went out and shot a video of these lights--no joy I need to get something a LOT brighter.

I left out of Chula Vista at 0430 headed the 670 miles to Gerlach, NV for this year's festivities. The temperature was mid-50ish so I put on my heated jacket liner. I figured when the sun came up and I headed towards the California central valley it would warm up. It was another strange weather day. Throughout the  trip the temperatures never went over 60 (at Gerlach) and were as low as 43! Too bad the heated grips aren't installed on the Trophy. I can get by without the heated seat but the grips sure are nice. I had to don my heated gloves. The trip up was uneventful and I made good time, covering the distance in 11 hours.
We had our Friday night buffet along with a significant amount of alcohol.

On Saturday we gather to begin the day's activities. One of the mandatory stops is a visit to the Iron Butt Memorial on Guru lane.

Our friends, acquaintances, and riding com padres are remembered at this site. We pause for a moment of reflection to recall the memories of those we knew, and those that we wish we would have known.

Saturday we met on the playa for some festivities. This is a perfect social! Motorcycles, friends, good food, alcohol, guns, costumes, and a few crazy people (well maybe a lot of crazy people). What more can you ask for?

Reno John took a nice shot of the Trophy out on the playa.

Saturday afternoon was shooting on the playa. I didn't get to partake. I knew the rear tire on the TT was getting close to replacement time but I misjudged by the amount of miles to get me home. Cord was showing so I had to make a 230 mile round trip to Reno, NV to get a new tire.

I got back in time for the dinner, drinking, and fireside memorial festivities. After the sun goes down we are again on the playa for a bonfire. First timers are required to walk through the fire. Veterans usually do it as well to show how it's done.

We gather 'round the fire and reflect on the folks that are no longer with us. Ardys Kellerman was fondly remembered by all of us. Some rider's had carried small vials of her ashes and spread them into the Gerlach bonfire to always be a part of the playa and our memories. [thanks to Mark Johnson for photo]