Motorcycle

Two wheels and a motor ... or mobile life

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Category: Motorcycle
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Kids on the Bike in San Ignacio

Another in the long string of annual Baja rides. But, this time in the Fall for a change.

A helpful bunch of kids (no, really, helpful!) cleaned the dust off my bike while I lazily watched from the comfort of a bench under the shade trees on the town square in San Ignacio. A very pleasant way to spend an afternoon. They earned ice creams for all.

This became "my trip", but not in the usual good way. Flats. I'm an expert now. Starting around day three, I achieved the distinction of averaging three flats a day for the remainder of the trip.

Ugg! Not another flat!

We used up every tube all five of us carried then worked our way through Nate's patches (by the way, I owe you a few Nate). Fronts, backs, they all went flat. On the last day I finally found the issue, both tires had cracked on the interior surface. The result was tube pinching on each revolution as the cracks opened and closed. Mefo tires will no longer be on my prep list for a Baja trip! I've taken that firm off my Christmas card list.

Every Baja bike trip is great no matter what happens and this was no different. Click here for all the trip pictures (of flat tire repairs!).

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Category: Motorcycle
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Way Advanced Planning

Hi Baja 2010 Gang!

So far nine people are in. You're the group either committed to go, should be committed for doing this, or at least expressing a strong likelihood of going. To my knowledge three people going have been motorcycling in Mexico before. This is gonna be funnnn!

Here's a summary of basic details so far:

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Category: Motorcycle
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Tenting overnight on the beach

Fast becoming an annual destination, José, Dan and John just completed another week of motorcycling in Baja Mexico. This makes something like the 4th or 5th group visit. Once again, great riding, locations and people.

We saw whales up close and personal, once again. Went as far south as Mulege. Spent time with the Baja legend and fixture CoCo at his place CoCo's corner (now on the official AAA Baja map!). We endured a few minor get-offs in the sand, but nothing serious—except for the cactus parts that needed to get pulled out of Jose's leg.

As always, the KLR proved to be a great do-it-all mount. It carries enough gear, speeds down the pavement (especially with the new Mefo tires) and is light enough to do the dirt with minimal effort. Click the picture on the left for more photos from the trip.

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Category: Motorcycle
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Whale at our boat

This year's Baja adventure was unique in two ways. First, we all were able to touch gray whales. Absolutely cool! In the past we only saw them up close from the boat. This time the whales came right up to the boat and let us pet them. The picture to the left was taken just after I was petting the nose of this whale. Surprising to me, they feel less firm they expected. Kinda like a tire inner tube with low pressure.

Second, I had many equipment malfunctions. Unlike nearly all my past trips anywhere, I had a number of problems with the bike. Mostly my own fault for not fully preparing for the trip. My trusty KLR has made four Baja visits and taken me to Alaska and back. I guess that was about all it could handle without a major overhaul. Anyway, I needed a new back tire, chain and broke both the front and rear dampening before it was all over. Fortunately, I was able to put a new tire on at a hotel overnight (thank you Rice and Beans ), was rescued by a mechanic with just the right chain in nearly nowhere and nursed the suspension all the way home.

Check out all the pictures.

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Category: Motorcycle
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Nate and John on a trail break

John and two riding partners, Dan Colson and Nader Saca, returned to Baja. On this trip we road much further down into the peninsula--about half the distance to the end. We did many miles of off-road, stopped at the most famous dirt biker spots (Mike's Sky Rancho , Coco's Corner , Alfonsina's ), and saw whales up close and personal (about 2 feet from us!). A great ride. Photos.

For reference, to contact Alfonsina's either call Joquin in Tijuana (his grandma is Alfonsina) 01152-664-64-81951 and make your reservation. He speaks perfect English. Or, call Rancho Grande (01151-555-15-14065) They are about 1/2 mile away from the hotel and have gas, store, and sat. phone. You'll need to let them know the night you want to stay at Alfonsinas, then call them back after about 20 minutes so they can radio to the hotel about availability.