Baja 2002

Well, I find myself laid up and not being able to do much so I thought that I might share some of my past rides since I am unable to do present rides.
So the following is a story of a ride I did with some other friends back in 2002.
 But First ever since I started riding, when I was younger I rode my Dad's bike. He never Bought me my own bike, or one of those mini enduro's I so wanted. If I wanted to ride I either rode on the back with him or was forced to pilot his full size Yamaha DT175. I remeber it being the 2nd coolest bike ever, the first was his Hodaka 90, that Chrome tank was sooooo bitchen, Any way I digres.
  The reason for this backround is simple. From early on I was around bikes of all kinds, racing and such. as a kid seeing the races was major intimidating. But my Dad started riding me around on the back, in the Santa Monica Montains(before the greenies took it away) it was not long before he started taking me further, for some reason my older brothers never went. He took me to Baja a ton of times He rode me hundreds of miles on the back of that thing. It was not always the greatest experience.
 Of course, as I got older things changed, you know it is not always cool to hang with your Dad, my freinds were into Baja bugs. So I did that alot,To this Day my Bugs were my most favorite cars, hope to build another someday.
  I digress again. In the 70's I got hooked up with the Los Ancianos,Through freinds of my Dad we returned to Baja as Pit crew for the infamous Tecate 500, for many years.
 It was back in Baja that motorcycles came back to me.I seized my Buddies KX200, but just before I was having a blast!!
I rode my Brothers 250 husky tons of power crappy suspension and handled crazy.
But it was My Freinds YZ465 that cined the deal, Man that thing was a freight train on two wheels.
I later scheemed to borrow another Freinds Suzki RM125, Can't remeber what year, but it was long ago.
Got invited by the Mag7 to ride a poker ride, I think I was 19 or so, never really ridden so far from camp in a foreign country on my own, but off I went.One the 125 I was nicknamed the gnat.To this day it was one of the most memorable rides.But I realized that there was alot of Room in Baja, and you could travel from place to place. Not just around and around. I was captivated, I had to see more!!
To be continued
Tim  

Cool story.  My son wants a Baja Bug.  I am driving him 4runner so he has nothing to trade.lol  
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"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing some people out there having fun on motorcycles. It makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Dagg do it right with a thing front end! then the bus reduction boxes & that!!! my Dad was really in to mud bugs till my little sis came... then it got sold












YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssss another one of Tims stories!!
DavidS  
i take a lot of pride in what i am

___________________
ride: 02yz426
local: north east Oregon

terrain type woods with lots of roots & rocks

sanders:
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Dagg do it right with a thing front end! then the bus reduction boxes & that!!! my Dad was really in to mud bugs till my little sis came... then it got sold












YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssss another one of Tims stories!!
DavidS

My Favorite Baja Was The One With The Bus Box Reductio. It Was an Awesome Machine
Tim  

FLASH FORWARD:
It started in April 2002 my Buddy,Peter had mentioned hat we might do an adventure ride From Tecate to Cabo.
So I sent an Email;


Hey Peter. I was just thinking about Baja in November. You said if we can

keep talking about it , we would have a chance at pulling it off. So I am

Talkin. Let me know if there is something I could do. I mean I have never

organized a trip like this, and I do not posses the knowledge you do of the

logistics of such an undertaking. But I am a willing helper. So let me know.

Thanks Tim

He responded;
Tim --

Your email is important. Lots of times people say they would like to do something and really when it comes down to it, they don't. So, I plant seeds and see if anyone is really interested. Keep talking. Talk to others. Let's see who is really serious. If we get a group that is really fired up, then we'll do it. And we'll do it right - "E" ticket. I need an email address for Kevin and Terry.

So a seed was planted,
next came rough notes,cost,Planning, route and how much time to take.
Bike prep is also a concern. As we are planning a long trip with little support yor machine had beter be in good shape, after all if someone breaks it can ruin every one elses trip too.
So to make a long story short, lists were made an itinerary set and budget formed, by July this is what we had ;

Here we go guys - dig deep and send Bill a check.
We are going to see if we can get a group rate for the flight back - Anyone have any contacts?



We might rent a full size Diesel van instead of the truck, looking into cost - Any connections out there?


Don't forget the trailer, enclosed we be sweeeeeeettttt!



There are two sections that are real long Catavina to Bay of LA, 160 miles; SanFran to San Ignacio, 140 miles. XR650s should be good for 132 in Baja. Plan on carrying a gallon jug and use the old Baja rule of get gas whenever you can.


The list of those who were willing to belly up to the bar:



1      Bill  
2      Mark    
3      Bob

4      Don

5      Don's friend

6      Don's friend

7      Ray

8      MK

9      Peter

10    Andy

11    Tim

12    Terry

13   Kevin





July 17, 2002



Re:       TECATE TO CABO



Buenos Dias!!



Planning for our trip has begun.  Here’s some general guidelines and an overview.



Plan on about 2000 miles and prepare accordingly.  We will use as many technical trails as possible.  A 160 mile range is required (4 gallon tank) plus a one gallon can for extra long legs.  A backpack will be needed at least twice as we will go places the chase truck cannot get to.  The chase truck will have room for spares, gear bags and a small tool box (share with buds).  Plan on taking your gear bag with you on the plane home – space and security are limited in the chase truck on the trip especially coming back.



Right now we have a ¾ ton Dodge truck and a 16 ft. equipment trailer for the chase.  A 20 ft. trailer would be better and a 20 ft. to 24 ft. enclosed would be ideal.  If you have one would you allow us to use it?



Plan to spend $80-$100 per day during the trip for food, gas, hotel and diversions.



Sample Budget:



12 days @ $100                      $1,200

1 ticket home                                 250

1 chase truck donation       350



Minimum suggested budget

For 2 weeks at Club Baja         $1,800



I need a $350 non-refundable donation to pay for the chase truck.  This donation reserves you non-transferable spot for your gear, tools, spaces and bike to Cabo and back to the El Cajon area.



Send your check (it will be cashed) to:
The rough Plan Ride From Tecate to Cabo zig zagging down the Penninsula staying at different locations evey night for 8 days  with a support truck to carry spares, tools tires and gear,when we arrived in Cabo, Take an airplane ride home

It was starting to be real!
More to follow
Tim  

Ok, all the Pep had been done all the talk had been talked, in the end there were Only 8 who had it together enough to pull it off
Don, Ray and Bob, From San Diego whom I had never met, and Known as "the LA Guys" were Peter, Tim, Kevin, Terry and Marty
Plan was rezendevous at the Payless shoe store in Calexico on the US side of the Border that way we could ride into Mexico.

Thats me! off we went first stopping jut souh of the border to clear customs

After that a quick trip through Tecate and then off to the hills, the morning was foggy and it was hard to see, bet we started on dirt roads with alot of fun single track that went through the south of town

After that off to Ramona's to get gas and sodas, eat a few power bars and off through the forrest still heading south
After heading south we clmbed in elevation heading toward Laguna Hansen, it was dry and I had not been there in a little while, but it was as beautiful as ever


We took some of Bob's secret trails and visited some of the local Families that Don knew.


We started to head south east around Ojos Negros, then again directly south to Valle de Trinidad and up the Mountains to the infamous Mike Sky Ranch where we Ate and spent the night, an awesome place it is.

All in all a fun day, here was the pertinent days stats;
172.7 miles. Starting elevation: 1812’. Peak: 5619’. Final elevation: 4179’. Elapsed time: 10:44. Average speed: 16.6 MPH
Only 7  days to go!
Tim  

aw sphad!  the old 650...that thing was so sick.  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

Ok so now we move on to day Two.
We all woke up at Mikes Sky Rancho, it had rained a little so the dust was minimal. I was told to turn off the GPS because we were going to a "Secret Trail" so off went the gps and Off we rode

 If you have ever been to Mike's you know what it is like. But if you haven't, it is a cool place up in the mountains around 5,000 feet in elevation and run only by generator for only a few hours a day. Leaving Mike's and heading south west toward the Pacific coast is a fairly rough road that is carved into the side of the Mountain.Cool veiw, the morning was also cool and a little overcast, perfect day for riding.It was'nt long before we turned off the main road, covered our tracks and headed off into the bush for one of the coolest trails I have ever ridden.
The ride after this trail is so very cool, it is around 50 miles to the coast to a small town Named Camalu, It is a spectacular view

Unfortunately our ride guide, Don picked up some Barbed wire and ripped out his rear brake line.

Now Don is a unique guy, he has ridden baja so much he knows all the locals, he quickly said, I know a guy who has one, and off we went into Camalu while his buddy fixed his bike we all ate tacos while we waited

Once his bike was fixed off we went Down the coast to San Quentin and then inland toward the central mountain range. Stopping every now and then to re group and rest we rode the old Score Baja 2000 course to the top of the range and toward Catvina, ridiing quickly to make up time. here is a picture of Terry horsing around while we wait for Marty who was busy taking soil sample a little ways back.

Once we were at the top I was getting a litle tired but enjoying the view. You see even though there were 8 of us on this ride, we endevour to remain out of everyones dust. this means we spread out. it sort of happens naturally that the slower riders end up at the back, this put me firmly in spot #5. But if you don't count Ray who was designated the Sweeper, then I was 6. It just so happened though as we took off toward Catavina I ended up leaving early.After a mile or two I knew Kevin would be catching me so I made the nearly fatal error of looking back. I smiled at the fact I could not yet see him, but when my focus returned toward the front the "Oh *** feeling hit me hard.
I had drifted to the left of the road as it was sweeping right, Feeling there was no way to bring it back, I did what happens when you panic, I hit the brakes, this sent me straight toward the berm at the side. Realizing that panic is not serving me well I let go of the brakes Stood up Hung back and hit the berm at aroung 40.
To my surprise I made it! but when I landed I was standing nearly straight up and Heading toward a small Yucca. I said to myself "I made the berm this should be ok", but a yucca is pretty dammed substantial Piece of mother nature, and when I impacted it my blance went so far forward my face was kissing the front fender, I was no longer in control and down I went into the unforgiving desert sand face first.
It was stunning as my full face msracing helemet's chin bar made avery effectice dirt plow. It dug up so much that the dirt was forced into my mouth,I ground to halt and the funny thing is I wanted to get the bike up before any one could see me.
Any way to shorten the story, I bent my subframe and twisted my steering bent my headlight mount.cracked my chest protector and ingested a fair amount of the rough granular Catavina sand.
My friends semi straightend out my sub frame fixed the steering while I spit out sand and Bandaged up my chin and nose bridge that were bleeding.
Rgained my pride and Off to the Rouck house to get a soda and some tortillas, before riding into Catavina

I am the one with the bandage on his ***
we rode into Catavina Met our Chase truck driver for the first time,Benny, he had us dialed in our rooms were ready the gas guy waited for us and life was OK. we gassed the bikes parked and locked them.

We strolled into our rooms showered and went down to the resturaunt to eat, I remeber that the world series was on I beleive it was the Angels and some other team, I didn't really care, I just wanted to eat and go to sleep, and try regain some sense of dignity after my stupid crash.
Here are the statistice of that day;
208.6 miles.  Starting elevation: 4179’. Peak: 4179’. Final elevation: 1830’. Elapsed time: 10:48. Average speed: 19.2 MPH
Tim  

How did a blue bike get in that lineup? Honda FTW!  
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Stand in the place where you are, think about direction and wonder why you haven't
North Carolina

----CHUD-----:
How did a blue bike get in that lineup? Honda FTW!

There were 8 bikes, 6 XR650R's, 1YZ426 that was punched out to a 450, and 1 Suzuki DRZ400E. All five of us from LA were on the 650's the rest of the bike were the San Diegans.
Tim  

Day Three began nicely, I was feeleing better my headache was gone a quick breakfast and off we went. we rode directly south on hwy 1 for around 9 miles I think, we turned east and Don stopped, we had a quick impromptu riders meeting. We were told the the trail ahead was again secret and difficult. and when we got to the bottom that the trial out would be difficult to follow, so look for dead Cactii, this is our trail clue, with that Down he went.
Now I myself dread this kind of conversation and I think I would rather no be told that it was gonna be hard.But because I would rather have more help behind me on a down hill I left immeadiately after Don.
Whew what a Trial!

This is only a lttle sample. About a third of the way down the massive rocks,mostly football to medicine ball in size and very jagged, I mean don't wanna fall on your elbow jagged or it would not be good jagged, scary jagged.Enough the rocks were big and jagged, I made a small mistake and got the front wheel on the wrong side of one of those boulders and I had no choice but to stop, Lift my front wheel up and over and get back on, of course my buddy insted of helping took my picture

We all made it to he bottom and I was glad that they didn't take us up it!
The surrounding terrain was disorienting by all the cactus.

But it was soooo cool, We were now spitting distance from Gonzaga bay and Alfonsina's I thought Great were gonn get some chow, But It ws not to be, our venerable guide pressed on south east to the bottom of the bay, but along the way we found a guy in a Blazer broken down. we talked to him, fixed his machine and left for another trail called "the Sluice Box".
By now I had gotten used to the unexpected and since I was not leading I figured what does it matter?
We entered the sluice box, it was a slot canyon sort of rough, Hot, full of Rocks, upill rock ledges and tons of deep sand.
I again was near the back, But today I was having an on day feelng good up I went nothing was stopping me until I heard a profuse amount of cussing. I rounded one of the bends to see Terry in a cloud of steam pissed of like a wet cat.
Seems Terry fell victim to the same thing I did yesterday. he was looking back when he plowed a boulder. Fourtunately he was completely unhurt but the rock, now known as Prestone rock claimed his right radiator as it's own.
Peter came up from behind and together we decided waht to do.
not much to be done we blocked off the right radiator with Co2 Bottles and filled the left with water from out camel backs. One radiator is going to have to be enough!

we crested the top and popped out near the access road to LA Bay into town we rode as long as we rode staedy the radiator was not an issue, but when things got slow and tight she would blow off, Thank goodness for the recovery tank.
Into LA Bay we rode and tried for lunch. It was then I notoced I had a flat.
Since we were stopped I gave my lunch order to Terry and went to work

Well got the flat fixed but some how the kitchen caught fire and we never did get lunch, so not wanting to waste time off we went stuffing paower bars in while riding. we rode south of towm past the old jail.

Down the long unpaved road to Punta San Fransiquito
Once the road ended, it was dark, we were very hungry but the Kitchen was open and this palce was BITCHCEN!
We showered by stripping down and wading into the water of the gulf, and soaked the dirt off. the rooms were litle more than a three sided wood wall room no front door and a thatched palm roof with a bunch of cotts stuffed inside. But it was mere yards from the water. The kitchen was nearby and they yelled at us to come and eat, so off we went.
Diner was awsome, the Beer was exceptional, But Terry was depressed. He felt that his bike was not going to make it the whole way, so after dinner around 10:00PM we rolled his bike under the only light in the whole compund and went to work. We removed the offending radator , it was smashed pretty good the tubes were torn along the bottom where the meet the tank. No solder gun or torch the only thing I could think of was JB weld. But the radiator was dirty, it must be cleaned. we went back into the kitchen and with our limited spanish, and the cooks limited english we had a large pot of boiling water going. we thouroghly dunked and cleaned it. now we neede to mix up the JB weld and apply , the cook graciously helped by supplying toothpicks and cardboard.
Using all of my fingers I plugged the holes where the hoses conected and sucked like mad to create a vacuum, Peter and Terry  went about  stuffing the holes with JB weld untill I could tell it was starting to seal, and I'll be dammned, it worked!

We assembled the bike borrowed some anti freeze started the bike and it really worked! he rode the rest of the ride with that radiator.
In the morning we woke up to this!

Those are are bikes in the backround. This is still one of my  favorite places. I have yet to retrun, soon though I hope
Hope you guys are enjoying, It is kind of fun remebering.
Anyway here was the days ride statistics
217.6 miles. Start elevation: 1803’. Peak: 2774’. Final elevation: 11’. Elapsed time: 9:30. Average speed: 22.9 MPH  

Day four began we were a little tiredI wnated to stay but we had riding to to. It was reported that gas was an issue so we filled the bikes , filled our spare cans that we were carrying head south west to the mine in the mountain for a spectacular view.


south along the gulf coast a bit to pick up the trail west


I had another BooBoo and broke the stud off of my kickstand that held on the spring, qick fix was to use some inner tube straps, good enough, just had to remember that it was an auto retract, once you took weight off of it it came up,Fast!
But at least it wasn't dragging along the ground.
Stopped at an old watering hole
steadily heading west toward the pacific and the small Oasis town od San Ignacio.
the road was rough and rocky,for many miles, then all of a sudden it changed

It was beautiful! we roe a couple of miles then we found out why, we ran into the road cew.

These guys had been working on the road by hand for a long time. It led to the school where we stopped, all of the school kids came out to meet us.

It was kind of flattering we left for town but not before we got a couple of pictures

This is one of my favorites. My dad liked it so much he had it enlarged and now adorns the back of his Motorhome.
The ride continued on to town and the Famous Rice & Beans Hotel. I orderd a Margarita ans asked where I could find a welder the man pointed me down the block, got a bolt welded on to my kick stand put the spring back on and it was back in business. after another margarita we went to park check in where we found our chase truck driver Benny had already taken care of us, not only that he had washed and cleaned all of our air filters and they were ready for install, Too cool. Just then I notice a lumber pile.I grabbed a 2x6 layed my bike on its side and proceeded to straighten my sub frame, It worked like a champ. I was good to go.
All in all a great riding day, feeling good after dinner we got some sleep, Tomorrow was going to be the Valley of Death!
This day's riding stats were;
140 miles. Start elevation: 11’. Peak: 1840’. Final elevation: 393’. Elapsed time: 9:30. Average speed: 14.7 MPH
Tim  

That looked like one good time.  
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I love this dirt stuff.

Wow, those freakin cactus are huge. One of those would kill Sanders.
Beautiful scenery. It's strange seeing undeveloped coastline.  
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Stand in the place where you are, think about direction and wonder why you haven't
North Carolina

Keep em comin!    Great write up so far.  
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Gittin ur dun on me Ski-Bear in
Paris, Ontario
Ford F150
Yamaha Phazer
Honda crf230

I feel more important than a dwarf among midgets.