Riggerdan 147 Posted January 4, 2014 PART 1 0F 3 So there I was kicking back in my seat heading to Detroit, looking out the window at Mission Bay on a beautiful warm sunny San Diego morning By the time I was flying over Chicago it was looking a lot colder "> The scenically panoramic view I had in my hotel room made it all worth it…. Walking back to the hotel It was one of those moments where your waiting to cross the street, and all the cars are passing through big slush puddles and caught up in the grind of life. You just want to break away and ride your bike into the warm desert sun When I landed in San Diego I loaded up the 990 and headed south….. Started from Jamul headed through Tecate for a beautiful (windy) run up to Mikes Sky Ranch Along the way stopped by the KC memorial and paid some respect and reflect on life for a moment... Rolled up to Mikes just at sunset There were only 2 other guys staying the night, they trucked from Indiana to the line and were heading south / ferry to main land / back up through Copper Canyon They were slightly concerned about fuel for their days adventure, I had a full full 2gal roto and planned on heading back into VTD so I said merry christmas, topped off their tanks and away we went.. Cant hurt to generate a little good karma out of the gate It was a balmy 39 so a quick swim was not high on the list This ones for you Crawdaddy…………. Heading out in that beautiful morning sun Rolled into San Felipe and met a buddy and his wife for breakfast He was on a recon mission for some trails in his toyota His neighbor had this house about 50 mies south of Percebu that we stayed at for the night This was the welcoming committee This was the view………. Tried to capture a few stars but after a little tequila wasn't sure what I was even looking at. That constellation below Orion is fishing boats on the horizon He took the words right out my mouth…. It was a beautiful Christmas morning Heading south to Bay of LA First time CoCo visit for me Lots of options going on here….. So this was Christmas morning….Classic Cut up through Horse Piss Canyon I was actually enjoying myself until my buddy Steve said "Hey lets try this for a while" washed out 1000 course….. Needless to say a beat up 1000 course on a loaded down big bike was nothing but fun….. Spit us out on the Highway and we headed into the Bay of Los Angeles Whale bones everywhere A well needed beverage after a long day….. Up early to catch the sunrise I found some new friends "> Bfast and we were off and running and exploring, though ended up in a wash by some petroglyphs lots and lots and lots of sand With a combination like this you feel unstoppable Rolled into this San Francisco de Borja mission and took a little tour / breather This was the sink carved out of stone I just realized there is a limit to how many pictures you can post at once ------------ Stay tuned for part 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted January 4, 2014 PART 2 OF 3 The ceiling of the kitchen When we got out to the highway at El Rosarito I said my good byes and continued on south Heading towards Abreojos the next morning Selfy Let the good time roll………. Amazing how things can turn on you - O well this was the 2nd of 3 Not to mention fuel light on, roto's empty and I'm trying to make it to San Rosalia... It all worked out but got a little thirsty during the process "> Actually very thirsty Leaving Loreto the next AM More fun times to be had... Sun rise at La Ventana, could have easily stayed around there for a month or 3... great kite surfing and chill vibe The dirt road from La Ventana to Los Barriles was awesome One of my favorites... Rest stop….. A cold beer and a snack in Cabo Plumo was well needed That got me all the way to Todos Santos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted January 4, 2014 PART 3 OF 3 Leaving Todos Santos I tried to take the dirt and bypass La Paz Thought I could make it to Punta Conejo it was soooooooooo beautiful But I was wrong…….. It was a little sandier then I thought This was fun Before I went for the BIG DIG I relaxed down by the ocean for a few minutes and had some more reflection time... could have stayed there all day Off and running again, feeling ambitious thought I would continue on north along the ocean That was some sweet double track about 40 or 50 miles into it, I come up to this…………. You might say it doesn't look that bad, I kinda thought the same thing but it was pretty soft and I was still soaking wet and exhausted from the last episode Headed back still trying to find another way around the soft stuff Got lost in these salt fields actually not sure what they were Felt like I was riding on Mars and dead ended every turn I took….. So I bailed and headed up the highway Another well deserved snack and beverage Bienvenidos La Paz Christmas lights in Loreto Early morning sunrise More local friends hanging out Doesn't matter where you are in this world a good dog is a good dog…... Hearty bfast and hitting the road Decisions decisions………... Sunset at Guerrero Negro Another favorite My New Years Eve cocktail Heading north thought I would make an easy day and spend the night in San Quintin It was a cold windy day in comparison it started off with a super thick marine layer then it was super windy so I was warming up and snapping a few last pics "> Still had a chill, so stopped off in San Quintin for a nice warm bowl of seafood soup Looked up at the sun and decided to make a run for the border Got through Ensenada no problem and put a few more layers on before heading up through guadalupe valley It was dark when I rolled into Tecate but the front of the line service is such a nice thing to come home to Rolled through the hills on route 94 back into Jamul and reflected on that cold day in Detroit……………. a lot has happened since then Successfully accomplishing my first solo Baja expedition adventure Feels good to be home but my eyes are wide open for the next one Happy New Year SDAR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted January 4, 2014 Thanks for sharing your report and pics Dan! I was looking forward to it and I appreciate you taking the time to upload everything. I really want to get down to Gonzaga Bay and/or Bahia de Los Angeles soon. Would you be up for another (shorter) trip down there soon? Let the good time roll………. One of my favorites... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted January 4, 2014 Happy New Year SDAR Happy New Year Dan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted January 4, 2014 Nicely done! You convey the atmosphere along with the physical ride in your reports, Dan. As GF said, thx for taking the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 288 Posted January 4, 2014 You call That livin'? Nice editing. Reads like the travels of a monk. P.S. Not Baja Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Diego 40 Posted January 4, 2014 I thoroughly enjoyed that RR. Just fantastic descriptions and photos. And it's nice to see a fellow dog lover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
97xr400r 122 Posted January 4, 2014 Really happy it all worked out well! Thanks for posting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted January 4, 2014 This ones for you Crawdaddy…………. Thanks Buddy! Looks like you and Stevo had a blast.......thanks for taking the time to share it with us.......you two bitches can tell me all about it at the BBTR ride in two weeks.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkug 147 Posted January 4, 2014 WOW Dan awesome report. I was following you on your Spot and had no clue you were having so much fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted January 4, 2014 YAY rigga... nice ride report Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tree 0 Posted January 5, 2014 Nice pictures and report. As much as I travel to baja and enjoy it I have trepidations about doing it solo. Some day I want to spend a month down there riding through every corner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tvscum 43 Posted January 5, 2014 Beautiful! Nice solo adventure! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsfox 0 Posted January 5, 2014 The Sun, The Sea, the Peace, (and the dogs :rolleyes:/>)......all which you have captured so artistically.... I've always been fearful to venture to baja...but I think YOU have just single handedly made me feel like: "I HAVE to go there!" Perhaps you should consider a career in travel advertising..Thanks so much....Great report and pics... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beezzz 6 Posted January 5, 2014 great job rigger. you did make it look easy. i'm ignoring the flats. those where most likely was an "expressive moment". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted January 5, 2014 Would you be up for another (shorter) trip down there soon? I would be up for another run down south, I have some time in late Jan / early Feb I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures….I really enjoyed taking them Needless to say I wanted to stop about every 1000' to take some more My mental visual hard drive is at maximum capacity right now….and feels great Some day I want to spend a month down there riding through every corner. I learned very quickly a month is not nearly long enough, but I was very thankful for time that I had. It was the only thing I asked santa for………a little time off the radar to ride my bike in Baja Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted January 5, 2014 I've always been fearful to venture to baja...but I think YOU have just single handedly made me feel like: "I HAVE to go there!" My family was concerned and thought I was crazy but as we all know "if you don't ride you don't get it"………... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dirtdiver 2 Posted January 6, 2014 Dan, That looked like a great trip. Glad you made it back without a major mishap. How many miles in total? Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avocado 0 Posted January 7, 2014 Awesome Ride...Great photos...Looked like the perfect way to bring in the new year. Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted January 7, 2014 Rigger - that was a terific post/report and teh pics are amazing:excl: Thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afry 1 Posted January 7, 2014 Great stuff! La Bocana/Abreojos is one of my favorite Baja fishing areas - those reefs are LOADED with lobster. One of the only places you can catch Wahoo from a small boat launched off a beach. Cabo Puma is the northern most coral reefs on the Pacific side - launched dive boats there many times, the little taco shack on the beach reminds me of the Corona commercial. You probably rode across my beach front lot just north of La Ventana in Costa De Oro - I think you forgot to pay my toll fee for the road use.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SocalCPA 0 Posted January 8, 2014 That looks like a great trip. I am planning to do some riding with a few 990 guys from OC , you should get in on it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites