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DEATH VALLEY CYCLING 50-MILER
This award was developed and sponsored
by Assistant Scoutmaster and cyc
list Keith Clark and Troop 1210 (Foothills
Church) Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Requirements:
1. Research and plan and ride a cycling route of approxima
tely 50 miles (plus or minus 5 miles) in Death Valley National
Park. Possible routes include but are not limited to:
(1) Mesquite Springs to Harmony Borax Works...approximately 50 miles...1800 feet MSL to -200 feet MSL...nice and
long, slight downhill overall...safe
route...easy to monitor riders.
(2) Emigrant Camp to Badwater Ba
sin...approximately 48 miles...2100 feet MS
L to -292 feet MSL...nice downhill early
with gradual descent...easy to monitor riders...slightly less safe route due to early descent from Emigrant
Camp...more complicated logistics due to start and finish points.
(3) Leadfield (ghost town) on Titus Canyon Road to Fu
rnace Creek...approximately 45 miles...4000 feet MSL to -200
feet MSL...mountain bikes re
quired first half due to rocky dirt
road...downhill overall...tougher to monitor
riders...riskier route, but fun and challenging...more complex logistics.
2. Comply with all Death Valley National Park rules and regula
tions. Well in advance of the ride date, contact Death Valley
Education Office for approval. A special use perm
it is required for a group of 20 riders or more.
3. Proper SAG (“support and gear” in the cycling world) logi
stics is essential for a Scouting cycling 50-miler in Death
Valley...having enthusiastic adults to help out is critical to
a successful ride. SAG stops should be established ahead of
the riders arrival and organized so as not
to impede motor vehicle traffic flow.
4. Furnace Creek is the only Death Valley
campsite that takes reservations and has
two group sites. For all other campsites,
an advance party is required to save sites for all participants
. This is important if the selected route involves camping at
any campground other than Furnace Creek.
5. Ideally, this award should be attempted as the last requirement for the Cycling Merit Badge.
6. Comply with Bike Safety in Guide to Safe Scouting.
References:
1. Death Valley National Park Recreation Map: Tom Harri
son Maps, San Rafael, CA, 2010. www.tomharrisonmaps.com.
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