Day 2: Leaving Kelbaker Road campsite and riding to Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve
Today's ride is more ambitious. From here at 2000 feet, I'll ride over the crest of Kelbaker Road at 3800 feet, down to Kelso Depot at 2100 feet, then up to Mid Hills Campground at about 5500 feet.
The final 10 miles or so are on gravelly and sandy dirt roads: Cedar Canyon Road, Black Canyon Road, and Wild Horse Canyon Road.
50.6 miles, 6:15 hours, 34.1 mph max speed, 8.1 mph average
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Date: November 06, 2000
Size: 8 items
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A few miles up Kelbaker Road, I stop for a short break along the edge of the lava beds
Nice boulders all over the place. I'm still trying to get used to the unwieldiness of the 10-ton bike.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 29
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A little further up the road, I climb up the edge of one of the lava flows to get a better view of the area
Last night's campsite is just off the left edge of the photo by those nearby hills.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 18
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I make another stop in the lava-flow area, this time at Black Tank Wash
I'm intrigued by this area, but I'm not carrying enough water to dry camp in a place like this tonight.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 24
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Beyond the old lava, Kelbaker Road continues to rise slowly
Looking back at the long, gentle hill that I've climbed, and am still climbing.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 25
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Looking back down behind me on Kelbaker Road as I approach the summit at 3800 feet
I'm well past the lava beds now, and I have a good view of the cinder cones off Aiken Mine Road in the distance. I take a water-and-snack break at the Kelbaker Road summit.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 22
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Once over the 3800-foot summit of Kelbaker Road, I start the 12-mile glide down to the abandoned Kelso Depot at 2100 feet
Though long, this downhill isn't steep. It winds around some hills (Marl Mountains and Kelso Mountains) that block what would otherwise be big views into Kelso Valley at the bottom. It's a fun ride down.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 22
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At Kelso Depot, I turn north on Kelso-Cima Road and ride 14.4 miles: more slow uphill, back up to 3800 feet
At 3800 feet, I'll turn off at Cedar Canyon Road and ride up into the Mid Hills.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 25
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Continuing uphill on Kelso-Cima Road, looking ahead
I have a major headwind here, so the subtle uphill is demanding. Mid Hills Campground, today's destination, is up near the top of those mountains to the right. It gets dark when I still have a dozen miles to go.
Date: November 06, 2000
Views: 24
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