Weird Sh*t You See When Riding Motorcycles In The Desert

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

For our upcoming Bagger Brawl Shootout our intrepid Evans Brasfield took the MO crew on a scenic tour of Southern California ghost towns, as well as a run through Death Valley. With that kind of itinerary we were guaranteed to stumble across the strange and entertaining. We weren’t disappointed. Here’s what we found.

10. Troy’s New Car

Without the existence of thick flora to hide beneath and rot, abandoned vehicles, seemingly more abundant than rattlesnakes, are left to suffer beneath the merciless desert sun. Troy takes a test drive in one complete with wooden steering wheel.

9. Unimog

Because they’re not imported stateside, the Mercedes-Benz Unimog is a rarely seen ultimate off-roader. We stumbled across this one 282 feet below sea level in the Badwater parking lot.

8. Verdant?

Located in the Mojave Desert is California City, the Golden State’s third largest city by area at 204 square miles. The master-planned city was meant to rival Los Angeles, and was developed with paved roads to nowhere, most of which are crumbling with disuse. Like the city itself, Verdant Avenue seems appropriately delusional.

7. Chicks Dig Motorcycles

She appears pixelated but that’s only because she’s constructed from cinder blocks. Gives whole new meaning to the phrase, she’s a brick house.

6. The Three Wise Bikers

This tiled mosaic sofa is pretty but uncomfortable. However, it is more comfortable than these three MOrons are wise.

5. Surf’s Up

No one could make out what the sign once said, but it’s hard not to wonder how a surfboard wound up in the desert, 300 miles away from the ocean, nailed to the most substantial posts in sight.

4. Caboose

According to UtahRails.net, the last Union Pacific caboose made of wood was delivered in 1924, which makes this relic at least 92 years old. We found it behind the train station in the ghost town of Rhyolite, NV.

3. World’s Tallest Thermometer

The world’s tallest thermometer is a landmark anyone who’s driven Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas will recognize. Built to commemorate the highest ever recorded temperature in Death Valley, the thermometer stands 134 feet tall, and is capable of registering up to 134 degrees. The temperate 73 degrees pictured here didn’t last long, giving way to readings in the 60s and 50s during our ride home.

2. Darwin

Established in 1874, but with only a population of 43 according the 2010 census, Darwin, California is a ghost town with a pulse. What residents Darwin has left, are prone to creative works of yard art.

1. Clutch Flush

For dinner we ate at Happy Burro Chili & Beer, conveniently located across the street from our hotel in Beatty, NV. Boasting a great outdoor patio, and, of course, wonderful chili, chili dogs, open-face chili burgers, and a Frito Boat (Fritos smothered in chili and cheese), little did we know we were in bona fide biker establishment until stepping into the men’s room. Yep, the urinal flushes via the clutch lever!

Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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  • Gabriel Owens Gabriel Owens on Nov 18, 2016

    Was a F6B included in the shootout?

  • TheMarvelous1310 TheMarvelous1310 on Nov 18, 2016

    This is just a cheap way to get me interested in the bagger shootout, and touring the desert besides.

    And it's working, damn your hides. If I get kidnapped in Darwin it's your fault!

    Also, really hoping this shootout contains a Cheiftain Dark Horse, or an F6B.

    • See 2 previous
    • Gabriel Owens Gabriel Owens on Nov 18, 2016

      I totally understand. I own a fjr1300. About as smooth as it gets. Definitely the Matthew McConaughey of baggers. Think of it as the Lincoln Lawyer. But that torque....oh my. And the way it will take a curve is superb. I'm 6'1" at about 250 depending on how much beer and wings I've eaten so smoothness is what I'm always searching for. I can bottom out stock suspensions with ease. Never felt that way on the f6b.

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