Death Valley Daycation: Winter Warmth, Stunning Scenery Are Prize For Pedaling Artist Road
By Stephanie Forte for LVSportsBiz.com
What makes Las Vegas lovable is that it’s so leave-able. With some heavy life stuff suffocating me, I knew it was a time for a daycation. So when my journalist friend Alan suggested a weekday ride in Death Valley, I was game.
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Daycations are not staycations; they mean not staying and getting out of dodge for a change of scenery. Travel time is up to two hours one-way.
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Why two hours?
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Two hours was often the time it took to commute from where I lived in Jersey to NYC. Three times, it took me two hours to drive 9 miles from where I lived in LA to the rock climbing gym. Two hours was also about the time I’d spend to get to the Utah Hills to try my project. ⠀
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Heading out of Las Vegas is easy. (Exception: Driving on I-15 S on Sunday night when half of LA is heading home.) From where I live in Las Vegas, it took about two hours to get to the Furnace Creek Visitors Center in Death Valley, where we unloaded our bikes. We took SR 160 through Pahrump, which led to a lot of discussion about Pahrump.
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We wondered aloud, why name the town Pahrump, which leaves it open to jokes in poor taste? And what’s up with the billboards?
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A quick Google search showed Pahrump is from the original Southern Paiute (the town’s original inhabitants) name Pah-Rimpi, or “Water Rock,” referencing the many artesian wells in the valley.
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Does this mean Pahrump is actually kind of woke? It’s hard to say, we just did a drive-by Google. Still, a rebrand back to its roots Pah-Rimpi or Water Rock, Nevada could be cool. 🤷🏻♀️
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What made the day so great in Death Valley was the stellar scenery on Artists Road and few people being around—very few cars and no other cyclists.
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I guess this means while I want you to go, just don’t go when I’m going. 🤷🏻♀️😘
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I’m open to suggestions for more daycations from Las Vegas. Preferably ones that include riding my bike or wide-open empty spaces.
