Baja 2008 Pictures and Ride Report

[tomcycle]

To see all the pictures follow the link below

http://www.dualsportbc.com/photogallery/showgallery.php?si=&perpage=24&sort=8&cat=726&ppus er=&friendemail=email@yourfriend.com&password=

:)I will also be posting a report on what worked and what didn't work in Baja

This year we covered 3600kms with about 2600 off road. Next years ride will be starting the last weekend in January 2009 and a lot more off road.

Remember if it were EZ everyone would be doing it:ted:Baja is hard:tup:

Tom



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January 9-10

The Trip Down, some pictures of our road trip. It started with snow and ended up with sun

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Thats snow on the windshiels and coffee on the dash, nice duct tape cup holder

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California and look at the snow:hr:



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Getting the gps set up right, you would think on a 30 hour roadtrip there would be lots of time to sort this out?

[tomcycle]

January 11/2008

We just finished driving all night then all day then most of the next night. We left Vancouver in the snow, a little disturbing but we knew the weather could only get better. Here we are in San Diego, ready for the sun and fun. We met up with Leo and Rob from Vancouver Island.

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From Left to right. Tom Doug John Brian









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A quick trip to San Diego's House of Motorcycles (http://www.houseofmotorcycles.com/)Had to give them a tour of the bus, they were very impressed. Lots of motorcycle stuff here but too early in the trip to spend a lot of money.

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Next stop for today was at Tijuana International Airport to PickUp Darren. I made a huge error in taking the Truck Crossingin San Diego, we attempted to enter Mexico and theborder guardjumped in front of the bus waving his hands and yelling "Alto!"Well it seems that buses are not allowed at this crossing, Itried to explain that this was actually a RV but he did not understand (we couldn't find the word in Spanish for Recreational Vehicle) or he didn't care. Anyhow he refused us entry and we had to back the bus back over theUS Border against traffic. This is a story in itself, you will have to get me totell it over a drink its too funny. We finallycrossed at TJ and managed to drive the bus through TJ traffic and park right outside of the airport. Luck was going our way as we only had to wait about 5 minutes for Darren

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Note the fine parking spot I got, half on the road and just behind the Federales. They didntseem to mind,they thought we were a bus.






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Ensenada. We stopped at our usual restaurant for fish tacos and Cerveza. Again we just stopped the bus on the road with the 4 ways on.

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These are the finalphotos for the day. Wehad agreed to meet Leo and Rob in El Rosario and stay a Mama Espinoza's that night. One of my rules was no driving at night, you can see by this picture it was already dark and we had another 200k to go. This isalso a story youwill have to get out of me at a later date, butI will say do not drive your motorcycle at night in Baja
It is a big game of chicken with the commercial vehicles at night and you don't stand a chance. The drive from Ensenada to El Rosario will be with me for the rest of my life.

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Finally at Mama's

[tomcycle]

January 12 2008

We all got a good nights sleep, Leo and Rob stayed in Ensenada last night and were going to catch up (smart move) they didn't feel it was safe to drive at night.

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The only thing to go wrong with the bus. This is the alternator/air compressor adjustment bolt.

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With a quick look on top of the engine we found the nut and washer, few minutes later all was repaired.





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John looks real happy here, getting his land legs back after that crazy ride last night

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After some hard negotiations with Mama and her grandson we arranged to park the bus here for the next 12 days. 20 bucks cash in advance, wejust had toback it up by the main building you see here. I hate paying in advance but I have known these people for the past 10 years so what the heck.

Be sure to drop by in your travels in Baja you will find the DSBC decal proudly displayed right in the middle ofthe Mama Espinoza sign on the road



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Its Sunny and we are in Baja on our bikes, things dont get any better that this do they? This isour first day of riding a simple 100 kms of off road and about the same on road. We waited till afternoon for Leo and Rob but they didnt show up, they will have to catchus now.

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Nice picture of my bike, dosen't look like that anymore. First challenging bit of road ahead. Look at that terrain beyond.

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Picture sez it all a little steep ahead for some of the guys

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We found these great fields in the mountains

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I had to take a picture of the generator in Catavina where we were staying that night. This genset is sitting in the sand out in the open. If you look carfully you will see a pan below the unit, this generator leaks oil so they catch the oil in the pan then pour it back into the engine. This is a German Deutz Diesel Air Cooled 2 cylinder

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[tomcycle]

January 13 / 2008

Catavina to Santa Rosalillita Then on to San Ignacio

First big day off road. The bigger bikes will be taking the pavement to San Ignacio.

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Doug getting his bike ready.

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Standard Baja Room, still beat sleeping in a tent

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We stopped at the local store to pick up food for the day. They have some of the sweetest oranges here in Baja.

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This road is about 20 kms North of Catavina and takes you to the Pacific Coast, not hard but its a long route and you can get hurt if you don't be careful and pay attention. No deep sandhere.

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That's Darren in the background, Brian in front. Brian had fallen off his bike just a few kms before here

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Beach is kinda rocky here

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Brian, like a kid not allowed in the pool

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Enough of the water, time to get back on the trail

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Look closely and the dust you see is Darren. This kind of riding is heaven for me.

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Your eyes don't deceive you, that is water ahead. Looks like we will be taking the long way around

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The wind was so strong in this valley it blew our bikes over. Just stopping for a quick bite and wait for Brian.

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These are a bunch of Americans we ran into along the way, I don't remembertheir names, but they sure were having a lot of fun.

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Carmalita the Tamale Lady, a regular stop for us.

From here, it's pavement to Ricardos Rice and Beans in San Ignacio

[tomcycle]

January 14 / 2008

San Ignacio to Constitucion

This is a EZ ride over some really rough roads. OK for all types of DS bikes but expect things to shake off your bike. This route will take you along the Pacific Ocean side of Baja.

We stayed overnight at Ricardo's Rice and Beans, I think rooms were 60.00 dollars, a little pricey for Baja but they were clean and roomy, and you will always find other riders here





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Here we found Dave Despain, riding by himself :mad3:. Obviously new to Baja, and in typical KLR fashion carrying way to much stuff. (next time your ready to go to Baja give us a call and we will get you set up right) With all that weight on the bike you better watch out for your knees, you might hurt yourself if the bike tips over:). Hope you enjoyed Baja Dave

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Here is another guy traveling to South America,way cool VStrom.

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The square in San Ignacio

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This is the road to the Laguna San Ignacio. EZ ride but a long ride with lots of dust. Whale watching is big at theLaguna, Mexico plans on paving this road (sad):(

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Laguna San Ignacio, Darren just going around in circles

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John on his DR650 Note the hard saddle bags can you see the one on the right side of the bike? No? Funny it was there but later this day it was sacrificed to Baja, never to be found again.

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See, John's smiling, his saddle bag is still there, but it won't be for long. Just for a reminder for you guys if you are planning on packing stuff behind you in Baja, only put things you want to throw away there.

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Ahhhhhh the sand on the beach. This goes on for miles and miles. Be careful the sand holds many surprises.

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Surprise:spl:, who wouldhavethought that the sand would have been that slippery. Just ruined the two new mirrors I bought for this trip, ripped the only saddle bag and looks like I will need a new helmet again. Who said sand was soft, that was like concrete.

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Fishing village above San Juanico

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John feeding the local kids candy

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Dinner in Constitucion

[tomcycle]

January 15 / 2008

Constitucion to Todos Santos



Lots of technical riding this section and about 480kms. This year we found some new sections. Not recommended for large DS bikes, too much deep sand and difficult rocky sections. If you decide to do this section, split it over two days. You will need the time, if you have any problems, or are slow.

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The Hotel Oasis, we used to call this the Hotel As Is. this place was more like a prison last time we stayed here, but now it's pretty nice and reasonably priced. You will find the Hotel O asis just west of the main drag in downtown Constitucion

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Like most of the places we stayed they are not always completely finished, our room was along the walkway that you see above my bike, none of the railings have been installed so you have to watch your step. No liability here in Baja, if you fell off this, it would be your fault. You should have been more carefull there are no handrails. Gotta love Baja

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This was one scary place. We road across a damp wash, I thought that all was ok but as soon as I stopped, the back of my bike sunk to the rear tail light, I had to jump off the bike. It took two of us several minutes to loosen the sand's grip on the bike and get it out. Then the sand that was still on the chain was so dense that the rear wheel would not turn, another 10 minutes chipping the sand away from the chain. Note to self "beware wet sand"

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The road above is much harder to ride than you think, practice at the dunes before you try this on.

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Todos Santos in the far background, nope the DRZ400 does not have enough power to ride this beach, had to leave that to the KTM 640

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The motel in Todos Santos, right across the street from the Hotel California

[tomcycle]

January 13/2008

Todos Santos to Cabo San Lucas (over the mountains)

Short day today, over the mountains to San Jose Del Cabo then road to Cabo. EZ route for any DS Bike.

Looks like I didnt take any pictures, too much time drinking Cervezas and eating sea food.:dr:I will post some of the others pictures

[tomcycle]

January 16 / 2008

Back on the bikes after a two day rest in Cabo San Lucas

Today we follow Mex 1 North to San Jose Del Cabo then its off road again. Looks like we are losing routes right here in Baja. Turns out most of the land between San Jose Del Cabo and Los Barrilles is now private, right to the water. They (not sure who they are) have plowed a road parallel to the waterfront about 2 kms inland, fenced both sides with private property signs and security guards. This road is about 20 kms then returns you to the waterfront but still lots of fences.

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Finally back at the waterfront

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You can still camp here but who knows for how long?

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No matter how much things change the more they stay the same:tup:

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My new ride here in Baja

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First time at this Motel, looked questionable from the outside but very nice inside. I cant remember the name of this place but its on the East side of La Paz about 5 blocks from the Malecón

[tomcycle]

January 17 / 2008

La Paz to Constitucion

My favorite ride in Baja, this section can be done with ease on a 650 or under DS bike, some difficult sections but the scenery is worth it. Here we leave La Paz heading North along the Sea of Cortez for about 120kms then we climb into the mountains along the plains to Constitucion. About a 400+ km section. No Gas

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Just Darren and myself on this leg, the others were worried about the hard section.

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Now for the hard part, it doesn't look hard but it is!

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The final stretch uphill, don't let me scare you, it gets way ezier at the top

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Lots of littleRancheros along the way, don't drink the water

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The road follows this river for some miles.

Very scenic so keep your attention on the road or you might end up down there.

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[tomcycle]

January 18 / 2008

Loreto to Mulege

Just a short on road ride today so not much for pictures except for our Motels

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Our motel the Hacienda in Loreto very nice, 10 steps to the Bar and 15 steps to the pool, private guard for the bikes. Satellite TV, lots of hot water a little pricey at 90.00 dollars

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Here we are at the Hacienda in Mulege

Similar specs but slightly cheaper at 30.00 dollars

Pool empty, Bar Closed, TV one local channel,Security, got to park the bikes by our room, HotWater. Ourroom was close to the tank.

[DRuZer]

thanks for the excellent report on the adventure. Brought some much needed warmth to this flu ridden schmuk:shoot:

[Randy and Dee]

I like your ride report tom the pics are better than some of the moves.Now I have an itch to go.

[tomcycle]

January 19 / 2008

Mulege to Bahia De Los Angeles

This is another big day off road. The route from Viscano to El Arco is lots of soft sand two track, only fun if you know how to ride this stuff. Be a real workout with a DS bike over 650cc. After El Arco the route is long but OK for any size DS bike. Be sure you can cover 400+ kms on a tank. This year we made a navigation error (having too much fun) and added 150 kms to the day.

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Breakfast in Santa Rosalia. Interesting little town, originally settled by the French all the architecture is wood and steel

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I usually find myself checking out the backstreets of most places I end up in, here was a interesting view of the town with the graveyard in the hills.


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Here we are meeting up with a bunch of Canadians from Ontario gassing up their bikes in El Arco. They cant be all bad they are smart enough toride Baja in January, besides they gave us a great lead on a Motel in Bahia De Los Angeles.Ithought I could remember the names but I cant other thanBarry from Cliffshore Racing and Warren Thaxter from Inside Motorcycles. Check out their links

http://www.cliffshore.com/adventures.html

http://www.insidemotorcycles.com/ (http://www.insidemotorcycles.com/)

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Heading North on the wrong road, we should be on the other side of those mountains. Nice riding though but it comes to a dead end. The weather is starting to change

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Here is themotel we stayed at inBahia De Los Angeles, everyone spokeEnglish and the food was super or is it supper, it was a good find and I will be returning next year.

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View from the parking lot.

[tomcycle]

January 20 / 2008

Bahia De Los Angeles to El Rosario

Last Day Riding :(We found some new off road but I think we have gotten Barn Sour. Heading strait for the bus

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One last short ride around Catavina.

[scottbc]

Awsome pics and report Tom. Thanks for the armchair expedition. MaybeI can figure a way to convince the wife that I "need " to do this trip next year.

Scott

[shoobear]

hey,great pics!

I just got back from the baja on sunday. Been home for 5 days now and cant wait to go back!

320 days till the next one......

[tomcycle]

shoobear wrote:
hey,great pics!

I just got back from the baja on sunday. Been home for 5 days now and cant wait to go back!

320 days till the next one......

Thanks shoobear

I also plan on going back January 25 2009

Stay tuned



Tom

[PaulBurke]

I'm in a Motel6 in Southern Oregon on my way down to 2 weeks in Baja now! Hehehe! :hb:

[tomcycle]

PaulBurke wrote:
I'm in a Motel6 in Southern Oregon on my way down to 2 weeks in Baja now! Hehehe! :hb:




You lucky are so lucky

go ahead and have too much fun:hb:

Dont forget to keep us posted

Tom

[banjopete]

Thanks for the write up and the photos guys, it looks like everyone had a great time, I can't wait for my turn...