Administrators Eric Hall Posted June 11, 2016 Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 Story On Thursday, park visitors found a man dead on Harry Wade Road, a remote, 30-mile dirt track that runs into the south end of Death Valley from California Route 127. The man’s name and age were not released. His motorcycle was parked nearby, upright and in working condition. His death is under investigation by the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, though heat may have been a factor. Thursday’s high was 118 degrees at the park’s official weather station in Furnace Creek Very tragic but avoidable. Valuable lesson here for others. I haven't done Harry Wade road (yet) but a friend of mine did it on a big bike and said it was quite sandy. Conditions are known to change season to season too. I'm super reluctant to ride solo on terrain I haven't ridden before. He could have also had a SPOT device. I carry one and also have their Global Phone. His choice to ride in these types of temperatures was probably the biggest of his mistakes. Then there's this about rescue helicopters: “There are days when it’s too hot for a helicopter to get out there,” Wines said. “If it’s extremely hot, life flight won’t come.” I pray for his family and friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patbianchi Posted June 11, 2016 Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 I have driven it many times and it can be done on a big bike but can be very sandy in parts, I have done it alone but who knows what happened? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Printz Posted June 11, 2016 My Ride Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 There, but for the grace of God ..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted June 11, 2016 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted June 11, 2016 I have driven it many times and it can be done on a big bike but can be very sandy in parts, I have done it alone but who knows what happened? I called Shoshone campground and Tecopa Springs but neither of them have heard anything. I think once the coroner makes a report we'll here a follow up in one of the papers out there. My guess would be the heat did him in. I have a feeling one of us knows this rider. We'll find out in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted June 12, 2016 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 This was posted saying that he'd been there for "some time." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motochefarwi Posted June 12, 2016 My Rides (2) Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 No doubt the heat was a factor. Scary. Steve, Tony and I rode this rode right after taste of Dakar. First time for all of us riding this road. Very sandy and washy, to some rough gravel sections. Can be deceiving & must stay alert. Heart goes out to the family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contributor Issa Breibish Posted June 12, 2016 Contributor My Ride Report Share Posted June 12, 2016 Sad news... we rode into Death Valley in similar conditions and it was overwhelming - even being prepared. The heat there is unrelenting. I feel for this guy - just an awful way to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted June 14, 2016 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 Update from Henry Brean of the LV Review Journal "A man found dead along a dirt road in Death Valley National Park on Thursday has been identified as Reinhard Egger, 60, of Germany." No cause of death determined yet but my money is on the heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allrpm Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 I recall some post somewhere that read (To the best of my memory) regarding riding the Baja. Ride 1 equals None, Ride 2 equals 1. In other words the Lesson Learned is riding alone in remote places can be dangerous and there is no substitute for being prepared. Sad news. Stay Safe. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akadigger Posted June 22, 2016 My Ride Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 From the web: LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A German man found dead along a remote road in Death Valley National Park on June 9 was overcome by the heat, according to the coroner in Inyo County, Calif. Reinhard Egger, 60, died from hypothermia because of exposure to extreme heat, said Carma Roper, spokeswoman for the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office. It is believed Egger may have been dead for one or two days before his body was discovered near his motorcycle, which was parked upright and in working condition on Harry Wade Road, a dirt track at the southern end of the 3.4 million-acre park. Death Valley’s official weather station in Furnace Creek, California, about 125 miles west of Las Vegas, recorded a high temperature of 118 degrees on the day the man was found. The high at Furnace Creek was expected to hit 124 Monday and Tuesday and 121 Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The man’s death and two other recent incidents in remote parts of the park prompted a warning from the National Park Service about the dangers of off-highway travel in extreme heat. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster72 Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Sad deal.... I can't even imagine riding in temps like that. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHN357 Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 rip. never ride alone in these conditions and without a communication channel immediately available. there are many things to boost our safety when we ride alone. please use them 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason R Posted June 23, 2017 My Ride Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 I live in the heat conditions mentioned. This is pretty much my winter. I occasionally (like today) ride my bike to work 3 miles. I have taken my bike for longer rides in the desert with 100+ heat you just cook. The sun cooks you, the bike cooks your legs. Riding through miles of sand without an IV pole and saline directly in your blood stream would be brutal. RIP Mr. Egger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Eric Hall Posted June 24, 2017 Author Administrators My Rides (3) Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Just had a rider (Azure O'Neil of MyTickettoRide) reach out to thank us for posting it. They decided on a shorter trip but were still drained by the heat and glad they hadn't attempted to go further. They said it probably saved a few bikers lives! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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