Left field question - has anyone ever shipped a bike to somewhere in Baja? My buddy will be flying into Loreto 11/18 and will ride a spare bike back that we'll then haul back to OR. Wondered how difficult it would be to get his bike shipped to Loreto so he could ride his own steed back. My guess is it'd be prohibitively expensive, but you never know. Also thought about hauling it down to Tecate and then arranging shipping from there - would be less $$ than shipping from OR at least. But it might be a logistical nightmare with customs, etc.
Might go on one of the baja forums and see if someone coming down could bring it.Lots of southbound traffic that time of year. What happens to the spare bike ?
That’s a great thought! Already sent a note to @HellsAlien, that’s a maybe. I’ll check and see if there are others who might be willing. Any Baja forum you’d suggest?
Baja Nomads,Talk Baja,Vagabundos.I'm sure there are more.If timing is an issue I have a boat shed you could store it in.I 've got one in there now.Tom knows where we are.65 miles north of Loreto.
I've read a few posts about inmates with a bikes(s) in the back of their truck being held up in Mexican customs... they want to see proof of ownership of the bike and they also match the VIN against the title. A letter of permission from the owner of the bike and the title should do the trick but I can't vouch for that. I've been stopped a few times on my bike to prove ownership... it's a good thing I know where to find the VIN !! I'm thinking it's a good thing cuz I'm assuming they're looking for stolen bikes being brought into Mexico.
I really don't think stopping stolen bikes is the issue. Lots of stolen cars in Baja. I believe they don't want motorcycles imported and left in the country without the proper fee$$$$ being paid. Just as an fyi, I have never crossed at Mexicali with a moto in the truck or on the trailer and NOT been stopped to check on ownership. And the Aduana people want the owner present. I've read other crossings are not as fastidious at checking every single moto every single time. It would be great if your moto is shipped, you post back up what was required. Sometimes, it would be handy to be able to send a moto down with a friend in a truck or on a trailer and then come down later.
Dumb question, but any idea if Baja Nomads is accepting new registrations? I went through the registration process, but never received an email or anything letting me know I was good to go. Huge thanks for offering a place to store the bike, I'll see what I'm able to come up with. I seriously cannot wait to get down there.
A friend and I are using these guys to ship two bikes back from Cabo after our ride down (in 2 weeks). Found references in these forums. Seem to have a reputable history. $500/bike (big bikes) www.arnian.com/es/
Triple A has (or had) a good Baja map. But if you can find one online,,get the Almanac! I got this from the back cover,(www.baja-almanac.com) the BEST maps I have found. I liked staying a night at Pete's bike camp just north of San felipe. Good restaurant, and take a day to slow down and relax. Guerro Negro never did it for me,, I always skip it and push on. La Huerta In San Ignacio as mentioned, is nice and surprisingly cheap. Victor's cafe on the square is good! The road out to the Lagoon is in good shape, couple water puddles maybe. Going out in a boat to see the whales is AWESOME! about 50 bucks. Whales only calve in 3 places and all 3 are in Baja. I didn't go last year, but I heard tell that the road south from Bahia LA to san franciscito has some deep sand sections, not fun for your buddy with the 2 up trumpet. Less hassle out thru El Arco. The road from south of Loreto up to mission San Javier is a race track,,smooth and twisty in places, fast and straight in others,,watch out for goats. Before you go jumping over to the Pacific side to make any loop north or south,,make sure you ask about availability of fuel. Some spots have only barrel gas, and may be out! All of these roads change a bit every year due to weather and/or traffic. What was nice last year might be sand ruts now, or even GONE!,,so talk to other riders you meet for updates, and road conditions. 6 days from Tecate to Loreto sounds like lots of fun, should be no issues, you can always make up time on the blacktop. Think about buying Medjet-assist or another rescue service. Med-jet will rescue you and your bike if things go pear-shaped. Say you break your leg and your trip is done, they take you from the attending hospital to one of your choosing closest to home, and ship your bike home too. A year membership gives you coverage anywhere if you are over 150 miles from home. I have never had to use it, but I buy it before I go that far from home, and Baja Sur is a long way from home.
Hoping to get some intel/feedback on fuel availability in a couple spots along our various tracks. Does anyone know if there's fuel available after El Rosario on Hwy 1, before we make the turn toward the Pacific in the screen grab below? Looks like there's a Pemex station a further 30 miles on Hwy 1 (don't know the name of the town), but don't want to do 60 miles round trip if we don't need to (this route takes us to where @BigDogAdventures camped on one of their rides). Another fuel question - anyone know if there's fuel available after leaving San Felipe, heading north to Guadalupe Canyon? We need to find fuel at some point on the way to the hot springs or we won't make it to Tecate the next day (doh). Thanks!
And another fuel question - anyone know if it's available in Santa Rosalita? Or anywhere along the Pacific coast heading south?
After El Rosario, there has always been barrel gas at Catavina which is 118 km south according to Google Maps. From San Felipe, you can go quite a ways north and get gas at the Pemex by the giant crocodile. I've heard they store at La Ventana is trying to make a go of it again and there is a slim chance you could get some gas there if it's open. More likely open on the weekends. About the only really good news I have is you don't need to make it all the way to Tecate for gas. There is gas in La Rumerosa at the top of the climb. One of the markets in Santa Rosalilita sells gas usually. After that, it's slim pickings heading north until either Catavina or El Rosario. I was once able to scrounge a gallon off of a fisherman and I've heard of people getting gas at the surf camp
Thanks @jonz! I found a Pemex station in the E32 map that's a ways up MX 5, only thing is I don't know if the dirt road in the E32 map will actually cross the river and get us back on our original track. I took a screen grab below - any chance you know if it's doable (it's the green track in the image)? The small loop at the top of MX5 is where I saw the Pemex - perhaps that's where the giant crocodile is too (lol...WTH?)?
I'm not sure about that route. I haven't done it. I think that gas station is as you're starting to get to the outskirts of Mexicali (still 15 or 20 miles from the border is my guesstimate). Here's the track I recorded: https://advrider.com/f/threads/mexicali-to-guadalupe-canyon-and-south-to-la- ventana.692557/ You can see we wandered around a bit trying to find our way. For some reason, when I downloaded my old track it was white - it's there just kind of hard to spot. BTW, that's a dry lakebed you're crossing and with some of the recent rains, it may not be dry and may not be passable.
Thanks @jonz, appreciate the track and info. Not sure what we'll end up doing, I'd like to stay at the hot springs and then hit that route you shared taking us back to Tecate, but imagine the fuel issue might be too much - especially if we can't cross to get back on our track. We might end up heading inland and trekking north. One of the tracks from @BigDogAdventures has a waypoint for a cabin on the way north to La Rumorosa, might check into that. Thanks again for the input and help
Dont know if this helps but barrel Gas is available in Catavina across the road from the hotel. Last year Pemex were due to build a new fuel station in Catavina. I fueled up there during the 1000 last year. Next gas station is quite a bit away on the highway which was full of wheel eating potholes.
There is a new Pemex at the bottom of La Rumarosa grade in the middle of the highway. You can jump on the highway fill up and go in the wash to the dirt if you are going up the grade on the dirt.
You may have finished your trip by this time but we may be of help. Following the 1000 again this year. Biking it from San Diego down to Pit 4 at Arenoso area Hwy 1 at race mile 535, then back Stateside on the 19th and on up the PCH to Portland for the 26th and home for another few months.
Thanks for that! We'll be in Baja Sur when the 1k runs and won't start heading north from Mulege until 11/20. Appreciate the insight into fuel at Catavina too, think we'll be skipping camping on the beach our 2nd night and staying in Catavina instead. I'd rather camp on the beach, but don't think it'll be doable after heading to Catavina for fuel; we'll need to figure out a track from there down to the coast to hook up with our original track. All part of the fun Are you a PDXer?
