You may have heard of "Burning Man"? This is a festival to beat all festivals, deep in the desert near Gerlach. Once per year in September, strange people vie in breathtaking competition, to attend this "Art and Music Event" - the place? - the Playa (mud pan) in the middle of the desert, north of the tiny village of Gerlach NV. It is truly a remote and spectacular place. On the hill nearby is a small hand-built shrine to Long Distance Riders (LDR's), in particular those who have won the Iron Butt Rally, and more importantly, those who have died in pursuit of it, or on another ride.
These are the directions (from the Butt Lite VII Rally book);
From the gas station in downtown Gerlach, follow NV 447 .8 mile to the junction of Washoe County
34 and NV 447. Turn right on WC 34 and ride approximately 1.8 miles to Guru Rd. Turn left onto
Guru Rd. The IBA memorial is just past the Weather Rock; look for the red picnic table and license
plate tree uphill from Guru Road. 40.67847 -119.36080
For each rider who has passed, there is a small flat stone lying on the ground, with their name engraved. They sit within a circle (of friends) reading with absolute simplicity of their place in the world and their place within it.
To call it awe-inspiring, is to materially under-state its magnificence. The view around is of desert and mud-pans, surrounded by sawing mountains. It is spectacular and breathtaking. It is also a place of incredible beauty. Like many before me, I took a moment to sit on the simple seat beside it and take in the view - and a moment of perfect peace.
For the rest of the leg, we headed north to Oregan, into the pine forests and beyond, stopping for one night in a cabin by the river. I slept soundly for 6 hours and rose at 2.30am to ride on and back to CO. What an incredible and peaceful experience. We will never forget it.
