My loosely laid plan was to start from Calexico, meet some other riders and make it to Mulege. However you quickly learn that Baja does not allow for any sort of firm plans. That being said it's all part of the adventure in Baja.
So off we go & 120 mile or so slabbage hump to San Felipe, ugggh but not completely devoid of some nice scenery
A couple of good fish tacos on the Malecon in San Felipe
The new highway has pushed just past Puerticitos. You guys better get down there before it's paved all the way through to Gonzaga Bay and to HWY 1
I've heard this 36 mile stretch to Gonzaga Bay was pretty rough but who cares I'm finally on dirt! (this stretch on the way back isn't quite as fun)
Alfonsia's at Gonzaga Bay
Excellent Shrimp dinner
a little rough nights sleep but you can't beat free
I needed gas and look who helped me out, legendary Dick Hansen
Dick and Malcom Smith teamed up in last years 40th Baja 1000
Gassed up and on the road to Bay of L.A. I love these Cirios
Cocos but not a soul around. Sounds like he's not coming back and his place has been pilaged. Very sad
I make it to the to Hwy 1 and the turn off for Bay of L.A. I find these guys all from Utah at the little taco stand/house (side note-the guys selling gas at the junction are in my opinion shorting you on gas and charging $5 a gal)
Apparently they tried to make it through Calamuge Cyn and drowned a bike. A couple guys spent the night in the cyn and a couple guys rode here for help. They sent a truck in but they did get the bike up and running. The bike in question was a 1986 Yamaha something or other.
Anyway after swaping stories we decide to meet up at Casa Del Sol in Bay of L.A. These six riders would from here on out be known as the six Utahrds
So we all meet up in Bay of L.A. at Victorias. The Utahrds, Jon, Alex, Bob, Dan, Tory, and Jim start wrenching on the 86 Yamaha trying to fix the rear brake. Seals gone and so is Jons rear brake
biker gang
So we start consuming beer etc. I'm hoping the Utahrds will jump in here for more commentary soon
watch some religious parade go by
Then a couple of riders roll in, guy and a girl. Bob all the sudden gets very excited and for good reason because it's the Lizard Lady, Kacey Smith!
Now the drinks and stories really start flowing. Kacey is a wealth of information and we pick her brain for as much beta as we can. A good time was had by all. The next morning (hung over) we are on our way to San Francisquito Bay. This is a an awsome ride!
My trusty Husky 610
getting close to the sea
doesn't get better than this
Jimzuma
with seven riders it's bound to happen sooner or later
I loved this little stretch trough this steep canyon
scenery
the welcoming commitee as we pull into San Fran Bay
our digs for our stay. these would be the best two nights sleep I get on the entire trip
fully taking advantages of the amenities
we saw this from a distance and thought maybe because of the recent rains they put this up on higher ground. We were so wrong and the assumptions began
Ok, since the other six guys from Utah won't be chiming in I will keep going.
So the story goes this 28 yr old mexican pilot ran out of fuel at 27k ft, distressed called out and Cabo told him SanFran was the closest air strip. He made a radical move to lose some altitude (bad move) came in hot, bounced the aircraft 3 times on the runway and just didn't stop until the hill stopped him. Good news is that everyone walked away but the pilot probably won't be flying again anytime soon. What happens to the plane now is anyones guess
the guys jokin around
Cervezas and nice big Cabrilla fish filets for supper. At dinner we decide that we will naked up the bikes and do a day ride to Santa Barbara, about a 85 mile round trip ride
after a great nights sleep we are on the trail to Barilla and SB
yours truly and we are in it now
BTW everything is always rougher and steeper than it looks!
Now down in a valley it really begins to get green and lush
So Tory and I decide that because we left Jon back at a gate (Jon decided that he was at his limit) we would head back being just short of the Ranch at the end of the road. Bob and Alex made it the rest of the way and met the owner of the ranch. They both felt that the owner and his wife were a little to well dressed and the Lexus in the barn was odd
Tory on the KLR. BTW Tory really went above and beyond handling this bike back in this rough terrain. .
But not without a few mishaps
Me and Tory
look close and you'll see Tory heading up this hill
heading back for happy hour
after another great meal and thank you to our host Juan, we hit the hay.
Next day we are heading, we think to San Ignacio.
I took this from my cot. No need to get out of my warm down bag yet
these guys were are neighbors for the night. they are team aspen from colorado
these well heeled folks were also our neighbors and were off to some other exotic locale in baja via their winged ride
So now we are bound for San Ignacio, fingers crossed
Love these guys hiding in the cactus
I forgot pic of this family we ran into as we turned back for El Arco. Very nice and helpful. The woman when she smiled had absolutely no front teeth!
Moi in front of the mission in San Ignacio
I was going to stay in town but changed my mind and hot footed it back to Guerro Negro, another 90 miles of slabbage
Now my plan is to ride back to Rosarito, turn off and ride up to the mission Borja. This was an awsome 23 miles of dirt. Actually I just missed the group walking the Baja 100. They walk from coast to coast over this road and down to Bay of L.A.
the 1762 mission
Can't remember his name but he was very informative. He and his family are the 7th generation taking care of the mission. He pointed out the original fruit trees and other cool stuff to me
This is their own little ranchette at the mission site
Now I am off to Gonzaga Bay to meet up with the Utahrds, hopefully
At the turn off for Gonzaga I run into Bazmataz (on ADV) He informs me that he ran into the Utahrds and they are not staying in Gonzaga but San Felipe. There is no way I can make it there so plan ? comes into play. Bazmataz informs me that he is riding to Argentina and is posting on ADV. He also is headed back to the border to get his permits for the mainland etc.. We say our goodbyes and I'm off
Then I run into this nice couple just outside of Gonzaga. They are headed to Loreto. I ask if they have seen the Utahrds and they say no. That's odd? How could they miss them on the road from Puertocitos?
I stop at the Ranch and talk to another guy who says no sign of your friends. Then I run into Lizard Lady and she also says no sign of them, oh well. So I decided I have just enough daylight to make it to Puertocitos to camp out at Cristinas on the beach. Just made it and the days ride turns out to 240 miles, ouch..
another sunrise and my last in Baja
the nice rood construction workers woke me up promptly at 6am. Had a cup of joe and I'm off to San Felipe for some real food. Cristinas was not so good the night before
Now it's a 120 mile iron butt to the border and I am back in the states
The border circus at Mexicali
This is kinda funny. I had no mechanicals after 1200 + miles, not even a flat tire but at the border the Husky overheats right at the border crossing. I literally had to push my bike across the border! Great trip and memories. Until next time, ATGATT.......
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Subject: KMA's 2008 Baja RR 
1/5/2009, 4:45 am
