Seems like I was just down in Baja but that isn't a bad thing, right? I picked up an XR650R a little while ago and haven't really taken it out. After going over a few possible shakedown ride options we decided on just going to baja. If it breaks, it breaks. We'll figure it out.
I got a few basic things changed out just to help with some baja prep. Been looking forward to riding this down there since I've been on the GSA everytime and even through some heavy stuff like the back way out of Mike's Sky ranch to the observatory road.
The long weekend started with a 4am wake up and hauling the bike out to Soto's house to load all the bikes into Dean M's “free candy” van. We packed the two 650's and the KTM into the van and hit the road South.
We made it to Tecate with plenty of time to spare. Unloaded the bikes and headed out to the Compadre Trail to meet friends of Dean.
Didn't really stop to take any photo's and the biggest issue was figuring out the routes to either San Felipe or Cuatro Casas near San Telmo. Once it was called and we were off to Cuatro Casas. Since some of the guys were rolling full dirt bikes, daylight was and would become a factor. After a few points of following guys who are fast but not the route we had to back track a few times. Lesson learned. If you don't know the way, either don't lead or stop when there is a fork in the road.
We made it to Ojos Negros and everyone gassed up and had a snack. The next section would be pretty epic, challenging and fun through Tres Hermanos. Everyone was riding great until the fast guys took off again leading everyone except myself and Soto (who was the only one who knew the route). They were so gone that the point of chasing would be futile. So in the sand wash we stopped and had a little picnic. Caught up on life and just enjoyed being in the beauty of the middle of nowhere. After some time had passed we had to make the decision of going after them, NO, or heading out and meeting the van at Cuatro Casas. Just as we were putting our helmets on and digging arrows into the ground we heard bikes. Yep, they figured it out and came back.
Now daylight would come into play. No stopping unless of mechanical or crashes. The technical section was ahead. Rocks, rain ruts, etc were around every corner. Dean was jamming but bit off a little too much and cased it. I showed up shortly there after and he was a little spun. The helmet did it's job and he was ok for the most part. The bike fired up first thing too. Biggest issue was that he lost one shoe! “My shoe!!!” Dean would say all the time for the rest of the trip. We all made it through and regrouped to try and slab the rest. Dean needing to use my bike as the refueling tanker since he only had about a 2 gallon tank.
The first rule of riding in Baja. Don't ride at night on the highways. Second rule of riding in Baja. Don't ride at night on the highways without lights.
We got into Santo Tomas. Everyone gassed up. Said hi to Cameron Steele and his group going North. Paired up the guys without light with guys who had good lights and hit the road. The next leg would feel like forever. The guys on the two strokes were hating life. The highway wasn't great on the bikes and trying to stick with the riders with lights proved difficult. Some corners were pretty sketchy as they couldn't see a thing and then a semi would blast around the corner straight at us. The temp dropped and we got cold. Just keep rolling was the motto. Finally we got to San Telmo and had to find the turn off for the hostel.
I had done this before a month earlier but with ten times the light my 650 has. We got onto the route and I knew the rest. Seven miles of a little dirt road and that was it. The guys without lights were much happier since there wasn't anything huge barreling down the road at us. There is one last turn that we needed to take and the fast guy for some reason decided to lead. I was the only one who knew how to get there. I stopped, stopping the goupe, honked my horn as he road off into the night. I was done at this point. Fine, in thirty seconds if he doesn't figure it out, I'm rolling. He did and I took off down the correct road.
We pulled into Cuatro Casas and the van just pulled up ten minutes earlier. Food, beer and warm beds. Everything was good. But where was Dean's shoe!!!?
Richard was stoked to have us. We fired up the BBQ and no plates were needed. As pounds of great carne asada were cooked up it was eaten just as fast. Then a truck pulls up and a bunch of teens pour out with skateboards in hand. The owner of Fu Manchu skateshop in Ensenada drove the kids down to rip up the pool. It was surreal. A bunch of guys roll to baja. Stay in the middle of nowhere. Eating carne asada hot of the grill and watch a bunch of kids charge the pool. Epic, even.
We all slept like the dead. I love when that happens. Ended up getting up early and Richard already had nice strong coffee ready for us. His wife made breakfast. Eggs, beans, salsa and home made tortillas. A few guys were slow to get up and I wish I had known that because I would have gone for a quick surf sesh right out front.
Drank my coffee while sitting on the head of a Sperm Whale
Finally with everyone up and ready to roll we blasted down the coast to Camalu with a quick photo op at Shipwrecks.
On the beach we found a bunch of shoes. Dean was not interested.
Gassed up in Camalu and heading back North. One catch. One of the two strokes sucked up straight oil that didn't mix in the fuel. Fouled, it needed work. I let them figure it out and caught up to Dean and Soto to tell them what happened. We relaxed and watch a few surf spots fire away while wishing we had our boards.
We all got going again and headed North. Quick bye to Richard and on to Punta Colenet. We got turned around a few times but some sections were super fun. I almost blew a turn coming over a rise too fast but saved it just in time. The 650 can be fun. Trying to find a way around all the new ranches we tried for the coastline. That was a bust. High tide and nothing but rocks. Plus we didn't know if we would be able to get back off the coast.
Back up the hill and zig zagged all around. Finally got onto a road that we correct and pretty direct to Coyote Cals in Erendira. Found a nice little spot to take a break.
From there we went straight into town. Got gas and then Tacos!
Noticed that my buddy who is a producer for the new Spiderman flic has been pushing the marketing hard.
Stopped for the best tacos in Baja.
They know what's badass there...
Had a few drinks at Coyote Cals and Lulu treated us very well as always. Then we all hit the sack and passed out hard.
Soto, Dean and I knew we had to beat the weather the next day and couldn't wait around in the morning. So we got up early and Lulu made us a great breakfast.
On the road by 7am and headed up the coast road to Santo Tomas.
We never really blasted anything but we didn't take our time either. It was so much fun just letting the 650 open up.
Gassed up and got ready for a long slab section to Ensenada then to Ojos Negros.
As we headed East from Ensenada over the mountain the temp dropped and the weather front was moving in fast. The wind was blowing hard but at least at our backs. We couldn't wait to get back onto the trail so we could warm up a bit.
Gassed up once again and knew we had to roll fast to beat the storm to Tecate. I don't think I've ever gone that fast for a long stretch ever on a dirtbike but we stuck together and just kept rolling. It was freezing but on the trail the body was moving enough to keep us warm enough.
With just one mile to the highway the backend of my bike really started to come around on me. I checked up and tried to get back on the gas. Nope. That wasn't going to work. Almost swapped out the other way. Instand flat.
Hussled a bit and in 10 minutes we were off stateside. Every once in a while we would feel a few drops so we didn't waist time packing everything back in the van. A minute later the sky opened up and pounding rain hit. Back on the trail we would later find out that it would be snowing only a couple of hours later.
Rule number three. Get up early to start your ride!
We all had a bitchen time and can't wait to go down there again . We have to find Dean's shoe!
