Reximus 10 Posted June 9, 2015 Back before dark. Famous words uttered by many an optimistic man. Anyway the notion of a day ride to the northern-most section of the Baja 500 proved too tempting for Goofyfooter and after a few PMs a plan was set to meet and cross at the righteous hour of 0500- later wisely revised to 0600 at the expense of adding some slab miles. After a brisk blast eastward dodging stray dogs and potholes we found some chorizo con hueovos and some of the finest nescafè instant coffee north of the 29th parallel. The piggley and WR were running well but at some point I noticed Goofey's back tire was a bit catywhompas. I figured it helped make the WR more exciting to ride so I said nothing. We finished the slab, looked around CP 1 for a friend of the bananna man who offered beers and snacks intended for bananna man (ironmanning a 500 exc) who crashed earlier during a prerun and broke his humorous. No luck finding the inmates so we blasted to La Rumorosa and quickly the race leader Kawi came screaming past. Found a good spot on the first serious out-turn (the kind that if you overshoot you launch) and enjoyed a great spectacle of motorcycle racing. From our perch we saw some interesting things; quads overtaking motos, a bicycle rider who was either drunk or heat exhausted, a nice race fan on a honda quad from mexicali, a group of TJ jeepsters, and a local mexican teenager who had hair like Don King. He got roosted pretty bad from one of the faster quads but the rocks just deflected off his 'fro. By then the wind had died and it was getting hot. We ran for the pines to find a spot to dig in and watch the rest of the race. Somewhere around RM 100 Goofy picked up a drywall screw that tore a dime size hole in the tube. We limped a bit further, met up with some nice older guys on KTMs, and a very friendly group of local jeepers. After most of the TTs came through we attacked the flat with a combination of tire spoons, pliers, elbow grease, and the supervision of the nice old guys on KTMs. "Helping" It didn't take long for the locals to come over and help. Help came in the form of carta blanca and tecate beer. So cold, beautiful beads of sweat glistening in the sun. By the time the tube was changed bbq operations were in full swing. It wasn't long before some tasty fish tacos were consumed and accompanied by more beers. We watched some modified bugs come through. They looked like they were having the most fun, although anyone who has ever ridden in one would tell you otherwise. It was now 1600+ and I remembering the token ideal of "back before dark" I tried to explain the idiom of "Pumkpin Time" to the locals. Pasta and a few of the other aviation guys know what that means. I explained how Cinderella's stagecoach would turn into a pumkin after midnight. by now the analogy of us needing to leave and Cinderella's whip turning into a pumpkin was largely lost on the men. More beers. Another solid 15 mins of some of the best BS I've had in years. Finally we roost out on the compadre with our mate's cheers and whoops fading in the background. As I was berm surfing the piggley with aplomb, I couldn't help but wonder if the situation was reversed- Mexicans spectating in the US- if we would be as welcoming as they were to us. No time to ponder the inequalities of the world. I was working overtime trying to keep up with Goofy. We hit a few short pieces of single track which looked like a lot of fun- fun on a bike not known as a big red pig. As we crossed a rancher's property, I noticed something glimmering near the residence. It didn't have the typical dull, subdued colors of rural baja;the kind of colors that are born of necessity, to blend in, lay low, conserve, survive. Then it dawned on me; the shiny object happened to be a massive Doberman. Cropped and docked, about 120 lbs, in a full sprint toward us as we wrestled to get the gate open on the other side of the ranch. His muscles were very well defined, not sinuous, not obscenely developed. This dog exercised a lot and ate very well. The beautiful creature slowed to a trot, turned broadside so his coat reflected the dropping sun, stopped, and gave us a nod and a pass. I suspect this was his normal routine- making sure that his "guests" knew damn well who's in charge around that ranch. I have developed a fondness for the breed after adopting a dobbie from Aztec Doberman Rescue in Lakeside. Good people and great dogs. The rest of the return voyage was uneventful save for a pinch flat on the piggley (again trying to keep up with Goofy). I flew off the shoulder and tagged a rock. Its weird, sometimes the BRP wont even bottom out but I will bend a rim on a pebble. No matter though, everyone knows the engineers intentionally designed the crumple zones into the rims as part of the bike's rudimentary/primitive suspension. A quick pump up activated the slime in the tube and we were off. By now the piggley and WR were thirsty for some magna so we pulled in and were greeted by the friendly Pemex staff who seemed genuinely more interested in our bikes than in the 13 year old boy fueling up his dad's ford explorer for a Saturday night rally. Shortly after a 90s Cherokee packed with some pretty Mexican girls (who didn't speak spanish) invited us to a house party. Back by dark. Onward to a taco shop in Tecate for some killer tacos and a quick check of the passport. Back in US. Sun just hit the horizon. 30 mins till pumpkin time. 5th gear through gasoline curves, headlight dies at Bancroft and 94 from an overcharging regulator. Ghost it home in stealthmode. Dinner with my better half. Thanks Goofey for showing me around. I had a blast. Home by dark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkug 146 Posted June 9, 2015 WOW what a view you had on the Grade ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reximus 10 Posted June 9, 2015 WOW what a view you had on the Grade ! The view was insane. I think a lot of time was made/lost here in the race. Looked terrifying, honestly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Diego 40 Posted June 9, 2015 That was pure poetry, Rex! Example: "As I was berm surfing the piggley with aplomb." And the Dobie incident was so well described, I felt like I was there. Classic stuff. Like the junkyard dog scene in "Stand by Me." Looks like you guys had a great day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted June 9, 2015 Great RR and pics Rex! Gracias for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danrider 5 Posted June 9, 2015 Sorry about the flat Goofy, but it looks like it paid off with some local barly pop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted June 10, 2015 Great story, great ride. You must be a writer by trade. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reximus 10 Posted June 10, 2015 Wierrider I chose one of the few professions where I could hide from math/reading/writing...But I do enjoy it greatly. Dan inspired me from his Otay TT story. How was your ride? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted June 10, 2015 Wierrider I chose one of the few professions where I could hide from math/reading/writing...But I do enjoy it greatly. Dan inspired me from his Otay TT story. How was your ride? It was a nice ride. Didn't go East though. The guy I was with wanted to go over towards Donavan, had fun up one of the canyons on the way out. Your ride looked very eventful. One day I'd like to get down there for a ride. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jawhitmoyer 0 Posted June 11, 2015 Great report, Rex. We saw that cow looking truck come through Valle T. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted June 11, 2015 Great write up Reximus! I'll just throw in some pictures to spice up the thread Breakfast Lety's was open, had a few locals starting there day with some tasty breakfast and even some neighborhood policia stopped in so I knew the food had to be good. Pass sequence #1. Considering the race was 500 miles, the chance of seeing passes isn't that great if you're spectating from one specific spot. That being said, we saw a few passes because we had a perfect spot! Pass sequence #2 Pass sequence #3 Pass sequence #4 Rally Bike! WR450! I saw a few of my bike in the face along with a number of 1st gen aluminum frame YZ450s / maybe WR450s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted June 11, 2015 Looking east down the grade. As mentioned sometime previously, I'd like to work a loop that comes up the grade from the dessert / dry lake bed floor. BSing with a local Mexicali guy THIRD nail / screw in 10 months south of the border. Baja, you're so fun yet can be so cruel. Adventures! Slime this? Prob not.. But, fish tacos and free, cold cervezas post tube change? Yes please! A TJ 4x4 club hooked us up and provided hours of bench racing / general supreme BSing entertainment Return home via the dirt Pinch flat ah! Slime this? Yea it kind of worked - I think he only had to refill a few times on the ride home! Tecate tacos to polish off a great day. Thanks Reximus for the ride, let's get back down there again soon amigo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted June 11, 2015 You guys ROCKED IT! A+ job... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reximus 10 Posted June 11, 2015 Great photos Goofy. That was too much fun. Ive got to iron out the piggly's lighting before next go around. Also I changed my tube today and put on some big blocks. 3 pinch holes. All the slime in the center of tube- none on sides. Interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reximus 10 Posted June 11, 2015 What else I've been pondering...when a trip "goes right" like this did- how much can be attributed to the deliberate actions of the paeticipants (the riders), and how much is luck/probability? I mean, before you make a big journey you learn to change a tire, work on your bike, bring 1st aid (Goofy that means you!) Etc. How much is just dumb luck? I've pondered that for years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted June 11, 2015 What else I've been pondering...when a trip "goes right" like this did- how much can be attributed to the deliberate actions of the paeticipants (the riders), and how much is luck/probability? I mean, before you make a big journey you learn to change a tire, work on your bike, bring 1st aid (Goofy that means you!) Etc. How much is just dumb luck? I've pondered that for years. My dad's bro gave this book to him many moons ago with an inscription that read " to my big brother, who fixed my bike many a time ". http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_and_the_Art_of_Motorcycle_Maintenance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reximus 10 Posted June 11, 2015 Added to Amazon shopping cart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
