I decided to start this thread for an upcoming trip to Mexico with 7 friends the first week in November. So more write ups and pics to come. We are driving from San Diego down to Catavinia and ride some day loops out of the hotel there and over Saturday/Sunday head down to Bahia de Los Angeles for an overnight stay. We did a similar trip last year but rode from San Quintin down to Bahia de Los Angeles, through Catavinia and back to San Quintin. We spent 4 days on bikes and rode heavy with tools, clothes, extra fuel etc. I was surprised how much extra energy all the gear sucked out of me on a long single track section. We decided not to repeat that this year. Day 1 is just a couple of options to go out to the pacific coast. This is virtually all 2-track. This takes us down to where the Campbell/Grider beach scene was in D2G. Were also leaning towards the singletrack route but we are looking for a way to run the singletrack and get out to the coast without lugging way too much gas. Day 2 is some amazing singletrack in both of these down to Bahia de Los Angeles. We did this last year and just have to go back. Day 3 leaving LA Bay is 2-track followed by a good chunk of singletrack if we can find it. The entrance to the singletrack will probably take a little searching for and after fueling well run out to the Pacific coast and eventually meets up again with last years route on the fast sand roads into Catavina. Day 4 goes out to the gulf side via the Nichols rock trail. It's 2-track for quite a way before meeting the singletrack that get's us up on the mesas. Never been on this, but have always wanted to. The trail itself is very, very visible from google earth, but I'm told it's a lot harder to follow once you are down on it and there are also forks that will try and lead you away in different directions that will dead end. This is about 20 miles of singletrack and it's a grind through probably the most desolate area any of us have ever ridden. This is a quick run down one what were planning. Well spend a day on each side travelling and taking our time on the highway.
sounds like a good time to be had!! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Save those tracks I may be asking for them! Subscribed!
how about i trade you a day 2 track for a day 4 track? my buddies and i are heading back down from bc,canada in feb and trying to find the "cactus trail" south/west/east single track over to BOLA from catavinia. we've got bill nichols rockman trail in the bag. carry some over nite food and water,just in case and be careful, not stupid and you'll be fine. your a long way and a lot of hours from anywhere if you breakdown or get hurt in there, so be a little extra cautious,ok ?
First rule of fight club.....but if it's looking for a "cactus trail" that you're after, mjlang can help you find it, just be careful what you ask for. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVVPYfMyKAo
I wouldn't get too carried away with dragging along back-bacon and your winter clothes. Its only about 70 miles or so unless you miss the right turn and go 20 miles each way off track; its a day ride you can manage.
Oh yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to a Rockman Trail report. Last spring we took the Bill Nichols trail from Catavina to the Pacific. It was a blast and wasn't bad at all. We wanted to do the Rockman trail but we just weren't sure how bad of a grind it is.
Here I sit on Saturday night before the trip. Motorcycle prep is on-going. Let's face it, the bike has be 100% reliable for the trip. I changed the oil, new rubber, serviced the forks, HID lights checked, and a few odds n ends that I have been neglecting. For those of you who are thinking about a multi-day trip, there are some basics you need to prep for. I've been riding/racing Baja for a lot of years. The things I've seen go wrong are mostly due to lack of preparation. Things like chains/sprockets should be in like new shape. Don't take any worn parts that you think, "I'll get one more ride outa this thing." The Baja looks for those things and makes them fail... Here's a basic checklist keeping in mind that you'll put on a bunch of miles in a 4 to 6 day trip. I plan 100 bucks a day for room, food, fuel, water, booze etc. Keep in mind, I'm talking about a multi-day trip on a light bike, no chase truck. If I go down there on my 950, I pack the kitchen sink cuz I can... Maintenance checks: New tires Check your throttle cables Chains/sprockets (leave that aluminium crap at home, steel sprockets only) Check wiring basics for corrosion Valve adjustment Spend some time checking nuts and bolts Chain guides/sliders Brake pads Backpack: Camera 100 oz water bladder Cell phone (Verizon phones don't work in Mexico. Reception in most towns is possible) Clothes (don't get carried away, its all extra weight.) Sun screen Ear plugs (Someone will snore ) Flashlight (generators get turned off at 10) Power bars Stickers (kids like them) SPOT Messenger with GEOS (critical) Sharp knife Passport (Critical) Registration (Critical) 21" tube If its a long ride, a little oil & coolant Sunglasses Ball cap if your a bald old bastard like me Spare goggles (clear lenses) Medical kit with some basics. If you're allergic to bees, get an epinephrine pen from your doctor. Waist Pack: Assorted wrenches Pliers Tire changings stuff Sockets Screw drivers JB Weld epoxy and liquid metal .32 Stainless Steel Safety Wire Duct tape Electrical tape Zip ties Master links Nut n bolts Electrical wire and connectors DO'S and DON'Ts: DON'T bring Guns (they frown on this ) DON'T bring Illegal drugs (there are check points all over the place in N. Baja) DO Close all gates DO Slow down when passing ranchos (do you want some idiot blasting past your house at warp 9? Neither do they ) DON'T ride over your head. DO Take the 'safe' line around corners head-ons happen on dirt roads too. We don't always plan to ride at night but, its seems to happen especially if you have flats or other issues. Riding season is during the winter months in Mexico, so the days are short. That's why I recommended a set of clear lens goggles as back ups.
I'm subscribed. I'm coming to San Diego the 21st of Nov., till the end of the month. I won't have a bike, visiting my 'ol gal friend. I'll be doing some research for a bike trip out there in the future.
I uploaded the general routes we are going to ride. Some are optional and we'll see how froggy we're feelin and make a decision. These are routes compiled from last year's trip and this one upcoming.
I wasn't able to upload anything during the trip. The internet wasn't working so, here's the after action report... Day 1: We made this a casual travel day and headed out of San Diego to Catavinia, about a 7 hour trip. We headed across the border about 10:00 AM. Three of us in Larry's Dodge carrying his 12 gear bags, 5 gas cans, generator, coffee maker (no kidding), tools, parts, oh yeah, and two Yamaha 450's. Larry likes to be prepared... The other truck had gear and 5 more bikes... We stopped at a favorite roadside eatery near Santo Tomas called Acembaro. Day 1 comes to an end, bikes unloaded, GPS files loaded and trash talkin begun.