Looking for someone/s that might be interested in doing Baja in the coming weeks. Have the opportunity to get away from the Colorado cold for a few weeks with lots of flexibility on dates and #days. Could be ready in a week or so (going thru the DR650SE now, buying tires, making lists, researching, etc.). Thinking of starting out at San Felipe, but am open to just about any route. Like to stay away from camping, but also don't want to get too carried away on expensive lodging. I have traveled to central Mexico on business a lot, but No Habla ... Riding: Nothing too extreme, since this would be my first excursion to Baja. Just enjoy the sun, some pavement / some dirt, culture, stay safe, and have a few fish tacos along the way.
Well, I wish I could join you, but I don't have that flexibility at the moment. I, too, would like to escape this Colorado cold. I was just in Baja in October on my dr650 myself and had a great time. Enjoy.
MTDuke and I are leaving Montana on March 9th and headed to cabo and baja for a couple of week if your interested....
Possibly, Im looking to head down to Baja around Early-Mid March, for a few weeks , shoot me a msg. Cheers
Looks like I'll be leaving Colorado Feb 26th +/- a day, taking a few days to truck down to Kiki's in San Felipe. Then down the coast on the bike to Gonzaga. From there down to Hwy 1 to head over to the west coast to do some Whale and bird watching. Being a Colorado boy all my days, I've never seen a whale except on TV and I'm into birds, so that sounds exciting. Thinking San Carlos, but open to suggestions from anyone. How is the road from Hwy 1 (north of El Aguahito) southwest into San Carlos? Is Gonzaga to San Carlos in 1 day do able? If I'm going solo, routes are going to be kept simple. Hwy sucks, but that's better than getting myself into trouble (1st Baja trip and all). Also decided to take the camping gear for a few nights on the beach. From San Carlos, it gets more unclear. Is it worth going back out to and up the Hwy 1 west coast to Ensenada>San Felipe, or is there a good route that cuts across from Hwy 1>Hwy 3 (>San Felipe). Or, would I just be better off back tracking San Carlos>Gonzaga>San Felipe? Leave San Felipe ~Mar1, need to be back there Mar8, back to CO Mar11. Oh, and I'm open to tire suggestions. Have a set of new T63's in the garage that I could throw on... Thanks
Just rec'd the Baja Almanac in the mail, and routes are making more sense (as Garmin Mex MicroSD I was using kinda sucks). Down to Alfonsina's>Coco's>Hwy 1>north and then SW to San Carlos>back north to El Rosario>Saladito>Vella La Trinidad>back to San Felipe. Need to research more on the coast road from San Carlos>El Rosario. Might throw in BdLA>San Rafael>San Francisquito>El Arco>Mex1 depending on my mood. Is there gas available on this long loop after BdLA?
Gas is usually available at San Fransquito, but you just never know.:eek1 It is about 150 miles from BOLA to Viscanio where there is for sure gas at the Pemex station. As for gas at San Rafel (check with Pancho) or El Arco you will have to look around to see if anybody has any to sell.
Thanks .. 4.9ga tank on the DR and I may carry an additional 2 quarts in bottles. 200-250 miles (150+ if sand/headwind/weight).
Current plan is leaving Portland, OR 3rd week in March. Baja including a stop at Mikes and Cabos and then over to Mazatlan, Copper Canyon and back up. 5 weeks total. Would love to meet up with fellow inmates along the way.
Kevin, sounds like a great trip u have planned. 5 weeks .. that's taking it to the next level. Planning for my little 8 day excursion has been more involved than anticipated, but I love this kind of stuff. Best of luck. Was going over maps late into the night and realized there are 2 San Carlos's on the west coast. :huh The Whale watching one is in the south, which is farther down than I'm wanting to go. So, the one to the north is out and BoLA loop is in. If there is enough time, might hit the west coast also: La Bocana, Bahia Asuncion, Bahia Tortugas ? ... more investigation needed. Going to check out and buy either Wolfman Bags or Dirt-Bagz today (both are local), WM is top of the line, but DB are about 1/2 the price. Then out to dinner with the girlfriend where I'll break the news about the trip. This will be her first taste of my wonderlust need (suddenly taking off to the 'middle of nowhere') .. it should be interesting to see her reaction. :eek1 are u stupid or something!, or :huh WTF they kill Americans in Mexico!, or I'm happy and excited for you, honey .. what can I do to help?. I also need to start cutting down my packing list .. 126 items .. way to much stuff!
Thanks everyone for all the help and advise on trying to put together a Baja trip. Stars are not aligning .. can't hook up with anyone on the dates I want to go, was nervous about doing it by myself with a new (to me) used bike. Then found a puddle of fluid under the bike yesterday, a blown rear shock seal. House of cards came tumbling down... gut's telling me I'm forcing a trip that shouldn't happen. It's still a goal of mine to do it in the future, though. Then I remembered reading about the southern Arizona ride in early March. March 8-11, 2012 - Dual Sport Desert Daze. Going to do that instead.
That sucks. Baja is a fun ride. When you get an inkling to try it again, let me know. It is not too difficult to convince me to go again. And an updated Shock for the DR is not too bad a thing.