So Cal desert check ride - 3 days in the Mojave National Preserve

I recently acquired a new bike for bikepacking that I needed (wanted to, lol) to take on a check ride. I had watched David Lamb's excellent video on the Mojave Solitaire ride and felt after all the prep & mods it would be a good test for the bike as I am about 3 and half hours away by car, I headed out in early April I watched the weather forecast since it is not unusual to be very windy and have ridiculously gusty winds too. It took several weeks for things to align and I was able to do the route with mild wilds and temps in the high 70's during day. However by forewarned that there is virtually no shade available on the route. I didn't drink enough on day 2 and felt the effects. Potable water on the route is available at Kelso Visitor Center (currently closed but the bathrooms are open) & Hole in the Wall CG. National Preserves have similar rules to National Parks so no drones allowed. David Lamb's adventure:    • Bikepacking Alone in the Mojave Desert   Official route by Jeremy Nolan: https://bikepacking.com/routes/mojave... #bikepacking #bikepackinglife #salsafargo #mojavedesert 00:00 Mojave Cross 02:16 Aiken Mine 03:18 Mojave Desert Lava Tube 04:42 Mojave Road mailbox 05:26 Camp - Day 1 05:51 Day 2 06:43 Kelso 08:59 Camp kitchen 10:23 Hole in the Wall CG 10:39 Day 3 11:46 Mid Hills primitive CG 12:33 Joshua Trees 12:57 Post Fall 13:41 Highway back to car