LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Extreme heat in Death Valley is dangerous, especially if you’re on a motorcycle. That’s a tough message to deliver in a popular summer destination for clubs and bikers who just want to get out on the open road.
But that’s exactly what Death Valley National Park Superintendent Mike Reynolds wants to get across to people who might be thinking about riding to Badwater Basin, Furnace Creek, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or another one of the park’s hot spots.
“Motorcycle riders are injured or killed due to the extreme conditions every year in Death Valley. Your safety is our priority, and we want you to return home safely so you can ride for the long haul,” Reynolds said. The National Park Service offers tips on safe riding here.
“We encourage riders to visit between October and April, when temperatures are significantly cooler and safer for motorcycling,” he said.
The advice comes as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month — May — nears its end and Memorial Day weekend ushers in summer.
The National Park Service is focusing more attention than ever on the dangers of extreme heat, even offering tips on a web page devoted to the topic.
(Photo: Kurt Moses/NPS)
Death Valley summers bring official temperatures reaching up to 130°F (54°C). Once the heat index exceeds 99°F (37.2°C), the ambient air no longer offers any cooling relief — even while riding at speed, according to a Friday news release. “These intense conditions are compounded by the protective gear motorcyclists must wear to stay safe in the event of an accident, making heat-related illnesses more likely,” officials said.
If you can’t resist the temptation, follow the same guidelines given for hikers: avoid the heat of the day, and get your ride in before 10 a.m.
The park is about two hours west of Las Vegas.
