Death Valley, past, present, and future: Comments by the founder of the event, and its director from 1991 through 2000, Hugh Murphy:

In December 1989 I wanted to ride Death Valley by Moonlight, Wandervogel event.

Duane Hickling was the event director. The deal was that you had to take a bus to the start in Shoshone then we rode to Stovepipe. The ride was great, Tailwinds all the way. Then you spent the night at Stovepipe and they trucked the bikes back and the riders rode the bus back to the park and ride in Diamond Bar.

I didn't care to ride the bus or have someone else handle my bike.

I drove up early Saturday morning and parked at Stovepipe and rode to Shoshone via Badwater. Tom Winstrom had the same Idea. I met him in the parking lot. Not by plan. It was the first time had ever met him. I knew who he was because he had smoked Tour of Two Forests (TOTF) the previous summer.

We rode together to Ashford and he dropped me on the climb. I met him in the cafe in Shoshone a few hours later.

Death Valley by Moonlight started at dark and we rode back to Stovepipe. I thought what a concept. I talked with Duane and Andy Schaffer. Neither of them thought a DC in Death Valley would work. (TOTF was their baby)

The following year I took over Death Valley by Moonlight and in Feb. of 91' I put on the DC.

It was an instant success. The Park Service (monument) only allowed 100 riders. I had 100 riders sign up the first week and spent the next month returning entries.

Tom Winstrom was first rider in. He completed the course in about 10 hours.

Of special note Ron Shepston (from Silverado Canyon) was a DC rider on that first DC. I saw him riding the century this last weekend with his Son. His son must have been in diapers in '91.

The ride has gone full circle and on 2nd generation.

I was so proud to be out there and see all what you have done with the ride. My intention when I put the first DC together was so Ultracyclists could train on the 508 course with other riders that wanted to have the feeling of competion.

What I saw you doing this last weekend was a carbon copy of my original vision. Thank You! I hope 30 years from now I can look down from heaven, or look up from Hell, whatever the case and see that Ol' Gumby is still at it.

Again, Good job and thanks for having me out there.

- Hugh