Solo Adventure to Mexico - My Shakedown Ride

[I'm OaklandLion]

Hello BARFers -

This past week I did my first Mexican adventure! It was a quick leave friday after work, do northern Baja, get home Tuesday nite.

Details:

Left Oakland Friday, 4pm.

Oakland to Santa Barbara - 330 miles
Santa Barbara, to Santa Monica, to Tecate to Ensenda, to Erendira - 400 miles
Erendira to Ensenda - 75 miles
Ensendada, to San Felipe, to Mexicali, to Pine Valley USA - 400 miles
Pine Valley, to Julian, to Temecula, to Coalinga, to 198/25 to Hollister, to Oakland - 575 miles.

Pics to come, but first, lessons learned:

1. even though it's May, it's still cold. Bring warm gloves, electric clothing.
2. bring less clothes. It's that simple.
3. make a list of all tools, equipment, and then methodically add each to your luggage.
4. know how to do to basic maintance, i.e., change a flat.
5. It's not the destination, it's the journey.
6. A smile goes a long way to breaking the language barrier.
7. Help a stranded motorist in a desolate area. It's that simple.
8. Don't be afraid to "haul the mail" in Mexico. Meaning, I flew!
9. Remember, Mexican insurance is for liablity only. Meaning, don't crash and don't get your bike stolen.
10. Never ride at nite. In only two instances (of 700 miles of riding) I saw two cows next to the road.


Route:

1. hwy 13, 237, 880, 101, 156, 25, 198, 101, 154, to Santa Barbara.
hwy 25 is amazing. It's that simple.
2. 101 to pch at Oxnard, thru Malibu, Santa Monica, to I10, 405, 5, to San Diego, then west, 94, cross at Tecate, to Ensendada, then Mex 1 to Erendira.
3. Erendira to Ensenda
4. Mex 3 to San Felipe, Mex 3 to Mex 5 to USA. Hwy 111 to 8 to Pine Valley.
5. Old Hwy 80 to 79, 15, 71, 210, 5, 198, 26, 156, 101, 880, 237, 580, 13, home

 

[luckett]

All that slab is making me queasy.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

my moto loaded and ready to go

I've always loved this beautiful flag in the Ensenada harbour. How come we don't have a huge flag like that in SF?

Mountain shot, south of Ensenada

Parking lot at Coyote Cal's in Erendira (I puked right after I took this pic. Stay classy Brad)

Rooftop at Coyote Cal's....wondering if I'm going to puke.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

KTM is stealth - sitting outside a starbucks....oh what, where's my Ducati?

Love getting drugs in Mexico. Bought Cipro. Thought about getting some V pills, but the fap-olympics aren't until later in the year.

My cackpit

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

My comments and thoughts -

No dirt on this ride - I was solo and I often crash on dirt. Didn't want to push it.

Twisties - I did some stretches where it was like riding Redwood Road for two straight hours....over and over again. With better views.

I hauled ass from Ensenada to San Felipe. I did pick up a hitchhiker. Three local farmworkers were stranded on the side of the road. I offered water (they refused) then took the smallest guy on the back of my moto to the next town. About 15 miles away. Felt good helping out.

The pic of me in San Felipe was taken by a gay guy from San Francisco. I asked him if my sunglasses should be on or off for the pic. He said "sunglasses on, pants off". I love my gays.

San Felipe looks cool. I'll have to get back there and spend some time.

Mexicali crossing - I get in the "fastrack and motorcycle" lane. I get to the US Customs agent's booth and he tells me to get back to the end of the line if I don't have my "fastrack" pass. (It's not called Fastrack, its something like "Centro pass" or something). I tell him I'm in the motorcycle lane and it's labeled that way for the last 1/2 mile. He said, "that's what it says in Mexico, but you're in the States now and that's not what this lane is". I said, "are you serious?" He told me to put my bike in reverse and get back in line. Now I'm pissed. I said again, "are you fucking kidding me?" I get a move on.

So, I'm backing up my bike, not a lot of room to turn around and move it to the next lane. Where a nice Mexican dude let's me cut in front of him in the lane over and I'm on my way.

Thanks US Customs agent cock.

 

[Ironbutt]

Sweet.. But what do you use Cipro for? That stuff makes me projectile puke.

Get a lot of infections? Or do I want to know?

 

[budman]

Cool man

"Thanks US Customs agent cock".

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

Mexican drivers are courteous. Always waving me on, using the turnouts.

Everyone always seems so nice in Mexico. Even the gas station dudes in at the Pemex. I spilled gas on the side of my moto, the attendent brings a hose over and sprays my bike down. That's nice.


Pro-tip - - never ever ever try to power wheelie out of a military checkpoint. I did. Tons of oil. I lose the back-end and depart sideaways. So happy I didn't go down.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

highway 25 and 198 - my first time ever. I think it's just as good as it gets.

I just don't know what else to say.

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

Sweet.. But what do you use Cipro for? That stuff makes me projectile puke.

Get a lot of infections? Or do I want to know?

I don't think I drank too much the nite before. I think it was the milk in my coffee. But I yakked it right out in the morning. Three cups, didn't get the helmet off.

chin-strap/buffer made for a nice catch basin.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used Shoei DS Hornet? Must like smell of coffee.

 

[mnb]

No dirt on this ride - I was solo and I often crash on dirt.

You crash because you're going too fast. Slow down.

 

[luckett]

I don't think I drank too much the nite before.

I was guessing you overindulged in the nice tequila stock at Coyote Cal's bar.

highway 25 and 198 - my first time ever. I think it's just as good as it gets.

It gets much better on nearby Peachtree/Indian Valley/Coalinga/Los Gatos roads.

You crash because you're going too fast. Slow down.

There are many times, especially in Baja, where you need to speed up to keep from crashing. You really shouldn't be giving dirt riding advice with your level of experience.

 

[Ghostdog2007]

Nice write up bro!

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

You crash because you're going too fast. Slow down.

trust me when I say, I've crashed because I've:

- been too fast
- been too slow
- too much front brake
- too much back brake
- too much this
- not enough that


One of these days I'll have to take a dirt camp.

 

[Titus58]

Hey Brad - great pics and write-up - sounds like an awesome trip

Boy you put on some miles! Now I understand how you were up for riding Oakland/Hollister/25/Paterson/5/Carnegie all in an afternoon

Let me know when you want to do some more dirt...

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

Thanks Tim -

I get into a groove and I just keep going. Basically, I only stop for gas.

I passed La Glorieta which connects 25 to 101. Let's do that.

Maybe Sunday....maybe...

 

[Ironbutt]

-Your going too fast..

No..

When a cloud forms around the bike and a sonic boom claps behind you, then your going too fast.. Maybe..

Try out Rich Oliver's school, he has a lot of information to pass on.. Super nice guy too.. And so fast and smooth. Makes us look like a bunch of robots.





QUOTE=OaklandLion;6562469]trust me when I say, I've crashed because I've:

- been too fast
- been too slow
- too much front brake
- too much back brake
- too much this
- not enough that


One of these days I'll have to take a dirt camp.[/QUOTE]

 

[MadEnglishCow]

I've always loved this beautiful flag in the Ensenada harbour. How come we don't have a huge flag like that in SF?

Errrr, have you not noticed this one yet? I'll overlook that seeing as you've spelt (not spelled) harbour correctly.

Nice write-up and pics, did you have time to get some apple pie in Julian at least?

 

[Titus58]

Thanks Tim -

I get into a groove and I just keep going. Basically, I only stop for gas.

I passed La Glorieta which connects 25 to 101. Let's do that.

Maybe Sunday....maybe...

I'm up for La Glorieta but not this wknd - off to Quincy for the Barf Rally

Go Sharks...man what a game...whew....

 

[I'm OaklandLion]

Errrr, have you not noticed this one yet? I'll overlook that seeing as you've spelt (not spelled) harbour correctly.

Nice write-up and pics, did you have time to get some apple pie in Julian at least?

Thanks -

That flag is beautiful. I really like it. Perfect location for it.

I almost stopped for pie, and regret not doing so. But, I was in a moto zone.....

dang, some apple pie sounds good right now.