2018 Barf Baja Bash - its happening now!

[ThumperX]

San Ignacio to Mulege:

Diter and I decided to team up and take a leisurely day involving coffee, breakfast, pastries, and ice cream (channeling our inner HoHo ) as we meandered down from San Ignacio to Mulege.

Like all good plans it fell apart. Before we left we added 4 additional members to "Team Tourista."

First Cabrito's tire was fixed, new tube I believe. We then went closer into town to stop at the fancy Hotel La Huerta to check availability for the group's return in a few days.

We stopped again at the Pemex so that Cabrito could bring his tire pressure up and headed South towards Muege.

CJ leading, then Michael (Cabrito) me, Diter, Daniel, and Eric.
I saw the wobble and thought Michael was fiddling with his GPS, the bike steadied then a short time later the wobble returned. Watching in horror all while screaming "NO NO NO NO" in my helmet I watched the XR abruptly swing into the opposite lane then come back into its own lane and hit the solid rock roadside head on.

As always seems the case in Mexico, the locals were quick on hand to assist. A family traveling south loaded up our Cabrito and transported him north to the nearest ambulance station. Diter and I followed while CJ, Eric, and Daniel, stayed with the bike. Again help was almost immediate, a pickup stopped and transported the bike back to San Ignacio.

Thus begins Diter's exploration of Baja ambulance stations, clinics, and hospitals of Baja Sur. We are all awaiting the book signing.

With Michael headed off to Guerrero Negro with Diter following behind, our group of 6 is now 4.

We head south out of san Ignacio and I find I am still spooked by what I witnessed. Although the Beta has so much more to give I keep the speed down around 50-52 not sure how many spikes may be sticking in my tires from yesterday's off track exploits.

We finally get to the town of Santa Rosalie where we stop for well deserved ice cream.

 

[Eric B]

Great pictures Eric!
In 2015 we took a somewhat rocky road from San Javiar to Commundo. It was one of the most beautiful parts of that ride (to me.)
I didn't ask, were there any flats along your route? I think switching from the track masters to the Parkers really helped this year.

That road you speak of is one of my favorites as well. The road we took this year, to San Juanico, by way of Purissima, was similar terrain & scenery. No flats in that group.
For what it's worth - I ran an IRC TR-8. No flats, but that's probably blind luck.

 

[ThumperX]

yay!!! We arrive in Mulege, anxious for word on Michael. Wayne and Nick are at the hospital in GN and we hope that Diter is on the road since night driving and riding in Baja is treacherous.

Eric has been having issues with the KLX starter, those freaking Japanese bikes jk time to go Italian Eric

Rest day is maintenance day and everyone seems to be doing a little something to their bikes.

Someone needs to tell Eric that crack kills.

 

[ThumperX]

Wayno finally arrives with Michael and we are all so relieved to see them.

I feel like I haven't seen my partner in a long time so we opt o spend the rest day together. W is still unable to ride so he will hang out at Santispac and fish while Diter and I get to do a few day rides around Mulege.

Some pics of my family.

The ultimate in YEP

 

[ThumperX]

With W camped at Santispac, I convince Diter that theslab to Loretto to take an amazing road up to an amazing place high in the mountains is so well worth it. We begin our trek to Mission San Javiar a miracle if there ever was one. I remember being stunned by the beauty of this place back in 2015 and am excited to share it with a friend.

As we travel south a solo man, sitting beside his bike up a side road catches in my peripheral vision as we pass. I stop and tell Diter I think something is wrong, I'm thinking the bike is a GS or KTM Adventure (not one of ours) because it seemed larger than our groups bikes.

As we approach we realize it's Windsor/ Wowens on his KTM 690. This is really wrong. We stop and talk to him and learn of a serious accident. Windsor is awaiting CJ whose bike is stashed in the bushes and has ridden cupcake behind Lance to retrieve the downed rider's bike.

We opt to stay with Windsor until CJ arrives, assured that there is nothing more we can do we beat feet to Loretto anxious to not lose time getting up that mountain.

We arrive in Loretto, top off our tanks and decide we should get more water. As we head back up the road we pass the hospital and are waved down by Scott and Derek. Diter speaks to the staff in Spanish gets the latest update and again with nothing more to offer we head up to the Mission with promises to stop back on or return.

This image is burned into my brain forever

 

[OaklandF4i]

Someone needs to tell Eric that crack kills.

I'm pretty sure thats what Daniel is pointing at and smiling about!

 

[two wheel tramp]

Hey, I've been in that hospital.

Ah, Baja memories.

 

[ThumperX]

Diter and I he'd up to San Javiar with me leading at a moderate pace. Our first water crossing is uneventful (to me) but soon I notice there is no headlight behind me. I find a place to turn around on. the narrow road and find Diter involved in a father son chat with the Husky. For some reason it stalled goin through the water we don't know why but after a few minutes it starts right back up.

We switch places here with Diter leading and me behind. We probably cross at least another 8-9 "vatos" (water crossings) with no incident. We are coming up to the mission and I am so excited for Diter to see it ad to grab a quick lunch.

2km before the mission we hit the last of the water crossings. This one is TINY and I'm shocked to see Diter suddenly asphalt lugeing past it.

Before I can even consider it I tom on the ground watching the Beta slide up the road. I feel something pop when I hit the ground and when I try to stand up nothing happens. Diter gets me off the road, gets both bikes up, and we determine something bad happened.

A really wonderful couple puts me in their car and Diter somehow manages to get a pickup to bring my bike to the hospital in Loretto.

I make jokes as I enter through the ER doors that this is the only way we can get spot on info on our injured rider.

There is definitely a language barrier and the kind staff X-rays my hip which is fine and wraps my knee and releases me saying all is normal. It isn't but whatever it is we have a guy in there that needs their full attention

Scott and Derek are amazing. These guys get me to a hotel where I prop up my leg and enjoy the effects of whatever shot I was given at the hospital.

I remember watching Britteny Spears live in concert with Sapnish sub-titles

I can actually see one of the broken foot bones in this picture

The next morning Scott and Derek perform a little pre 400 mile slab ride maintenance on their bikes. These guys are wonderful and I feel fortunate that they are here.

 

[ThumperX]

Wayno picks me up in Loretto and we sadly head up the coast towards BOLA. The van is filled with gear and no longer a usable camper but we take a stop to say "goodbye" to Bay of Conception.

I swear one of these years we will just park on this beach for a couple of weeks and just chill.

 

[ThumperX]

We need more pictures!!!

 

[SFMCjohn]

We need more pictures!!!

Posted by Eric B

... wonderful pics so far,
thanks for posting! arty

 

[Guoseph]

Diter and I he'd up to San Javiar with me leading at a moderate pace. Our first water crossing is uneventful (to me) but soon I notice there is no headlight behind me. I find a place to turn around on. the narrow road and find Diter involved in a father son chat with the Husky. For some reason it stalled goin through the water we don't know why but after a few minutes it starts right back up.

We switch places here with Diter leading and me behind. We probably cross at least another 8-9 "vatos" (water crossings) with no incident. We are coming up to the mission and I am so excited for Diter to see it ad to grab a quick lunch.

2km before the mission we hit the last of the water crossings. This one is TINY and I'm shocked to see Diter suddenly asphalt lugeing past it.

Before I can even consider it I tom on the ground watching the Beta slide up the road. I feel something pop when I hit the ground and when I try to stand up nothing happens. Diter gets me off the road, gets both bikes up, and we determine something bad happened.

A really wonderful couple puts me in their car and Diter somehow manages to get a pickup to bring my bike to the hospital in Loretto.

I make jokes as I enter through the ER doors that this is the only way we can get spot on info on our injured rider.

There is definitely a language barrier and the kind staff X-rays my hip which is fine and wraps my knee and releases me saying all is normal. It isn't but whatever it is we have a guy in there that needs their full attention

Scott and Derek are amazing. These guys get me to a hotel where I prop up my leg and enjoy the effects of whatever shot I was given at the hospital.

I remember watching Britteny Spears live in concert with Sapnish sub-titles

I can actually see one of the broken foot bones in this picture

The next morning Scott and Derek perform a little pre 400 mile slab ride maintenance on their bikes. These guys are wonderful and I feel fortunate that they are here.

Ouch, sorry to hear about your injury G, hope you heal up soon!

 

[ThumperX]

Thanks! I get to see the ortho dude this morning, can’t wait to get back on that Beta!

 

[Eric B]

I have more pics to share. Will try to post tomorrow evening.

 

[1962siia]

Thanks! I get to see the ortho dude this morning, can’t wait to get back on that Beta!

Hope it all goes well G. Sending positive healing vibes your way.

 

[Lunch Box]

Remember Gwynne, a Moto boot is basically a cast....

 

[ThumperX]

Remember Gwynne, a Moto boot is basically a cast....

I agree. While we were at Agua Caliente a big GS rolled through with crutches strapped to the luggage boxes. I think a cane will suffice for the rally

Now we need check ins from some of the others who got bashed in Baja this year.

 

[Junkie]

Ouch. I hope the foot heals up well. What boots were you wearing?

 

[ThumperX]

My foot and ankle were protected by Sidi Stingers, my knee with Leatt youth knee guards, upper body shoulders and arms with a Troy Lee Designs off road shirt.

I don't believe all the gear in the world would have saved me. Looks like the foot landed and the leg twisted from the knee down. I remember feeling a "pop."Confirmed today the kneecap did break and that may have been from the impact of the knee guard but more likely it broke from the inside out.

The foot and ankle did twist inside the boot so maybe get insoles and make sure the foot is completely captured

All I can say is it could've been worse, wish it hadn't happened and really wish that Diter had been able to see the mission and get lunch instead of taking care of my misfortune.

I've watched others go down in paved water crossings before and thought they were doing it wrong. Not the case, there are traps in these things and it all depends on the line, chalking it up to luck in the future.

FWIW, a group of GS riders talked to dieselGoober and mentioned that 3 of their 7 ate it in the exact same spot.

anyway, Baja rocks and everyone should go at least once.

 

[Mr Pepsi]

My Brother in law rode to Baja, by himself, and fell in silt. Broke his ankle. Laid in the dirt for hours until an old man was walking up the road. The old man was going to walk right past him, until he called him over. He helped him right the bike and my brother in law rode with a broken ankle over an hour to a hospital. Scary times, not so good to be riding by himself.