I attended the Public Safety Writers Association Annual Conference this week at the Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas. The conference was a smashing success and I will be back next year.
What is it that I won’t ever do again?
I rode my Ultra Classic Harley Davidson from Carson City to Las Vegas. The two-day ride wasn’t bad. The weather was hot, hovering around 100º to 102º.
Las Vegas to home is another matter. I left at 1:00 p.m. and rode 302 miles. The Amber Alert signs warned of heavy traffic to California and major delays. They weren’t kidding.
Eleven miles outside Primm I-15 traffic stopped dead. I split lanes to Primm. It took 35 minutes. If I hadn’t, I’d probably still be there. I ‘forgot’ that Nevada frowns on motorcyclists who enjoy this time saver. I got honked at a few times by folks riding in air-conditioned cages.
Ten miles east of Baker, California I realized that it was hotter than anything I had ever experienced. Temperatures in the low hundreds are uncomfortable, this was painful.
I stopped in Baker for fuel and to hydrate. Asking folks in their air-conditioned cages the temperature, provided a consensus of 112º. The highest I’ve ever ridden in. After downing two Gatorades in four swallows, I got on the Ultra. My dark glasses burnt my nose, the grips stung my hands, but the kicker was my seat. I stood up on the floor board and dropped onto the HOT black leather. Not only did I burn my thighs, I scorched everything in between. Ouch.
Weather.com lists the high as 110º.
I’m spending the night at Motel 6, Button Willow. I will be up at dawn with the goal of being home before the sun has a chance cook me again.
God speed Buddy…Been there, done that…Jim Bob
And WHY didn’t you call me?????????? Pam
We go over to Primm once in a while which is about an hour and a half drive for us, going from AZ, into NV and then CA in that timeframe. Here in Kingman our norm for this time of year is 98-105 so we stay in the house or car a lot utilizing the a/c. Glad you’re enjoying your rides and I read ’em all. Take care and be careful. Stew Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 05:04:01 +0000 To: pncstew@hotmail.com
When it’s that hot, there’s something to be said for air-conditioned cages.