Baja Husky Ride Report

[WoodsChick]

I'll start saving my pennies up for a passport and a soft saddle....

Save your money. You'll be standing up 90% of the time trying to avoid the rocks and whoops so you won't even notice it. I usually have some, uh, residual memories from my rides on the 610 but after 200 miles per day my butt barely even knew we'd been on a ride. My ankle, however...


WoodsChick

 

[Dirtdame]

Save your money. You'll be standing up 90% of the time trying to avoid the rocks and whoops so you won't even notice it. I usually have some, uh, residual memories from my rides on the 610 but after 200 miles per day my butt barely even knew we'd been on a ride. My ankle, however...


WoodsChick

I just don't want to experience roid rage (hem-roid, that is...)

 

[WoodsChick]

Sunday we road up the highway from the Bay of LA a little to get on the Baja 1000 course I hit the pavement to pass all the pack (well allot of) to get them coming up the road were we turned off.

Yeah, there were 3 riders waiting for you when you got there, weren't there?

And then there were 4...

Blake (BCVisin) the bar in Bay of LA the night before, with Retardo in the background, presumably calling for help...

Lairpost took a photo of my Cult of 610 shirt...

I don't think David (fitness2go) cares for the 12-year-old Scotch...

My bike through the window at sunrise...

Breakfast at Guillermo's totally rocked! Unless, of course, you ordered the French toast

Clete and Jules at Guillermo's...

Mike Kay and Brett (Lairpost)...

Left to right, JimB, Flying Trash Can, Jamie, Hammer, Stroker Ace, JimO...

Eric and the behemoth KTM...

Speaking of behemoth...

A few random shots after the Husky Line-Up shots...

Most of my photos from this day have already been posted up by someone else, so this is just some random stuff...

Coco's kitties...

Major Huskyage at Coco's Corner...

Ran into these guys at Coco's, turns out one of them is ChiTown on ADV and I had been reading his ride report before I left for Baja. He took a photo of me and it showed up in his report, along with a "Hi, WoodsChick! Nice to meet you!" I'm famous now

I guess the Jesse bag didn't much care for the road from Puertocitos...

To be continued...


WoodsChick

 

[WoodsChick]

The guys on the BMW's were spouting some sort of nonsense about riding through rain in Gonzaga Bay, and I must admit that the skies were looking a tad threatening. This got the others to move on down the road without us, but Squid's Leap and I stayed put to wait for the chase trucks and make sure the rider that got hurt was ok. Squids Leap was sure it was his buddy that got hurt, he just said he had a feeling, and he was right.
We had a good time hanging out and talking and visiting some with Coco. While we were there a gringo in a small pickup pulled in. His truck started rolling backwards for quite a ways til he stopped it. Seems he had been climbing on some rocks when he looked down and saw his truck rolling backwards down the road (apparently this happens fairly often) and he biffed hard as he tried to scramble down after it. He bloodied up his fingers and wrist, and he had a gaping gash across his knee. He had it wrapped with clear tape and you could see things that you shouldn't normally be able to see outside an operating room. It was gross. 3 local Mexican guys agreed to help him, and one drove his truck for him while the other 2 followed in their own truck. They were taking him to a hospital in Santa Rosalia. Try getting a few locals to even tell you where the hospital is around here, much less help you get there

Anyway, onwards to the north...

I didn't stop to take any photos on the way back to San Felipe. I wanted to, as there were some very scenic vistas along the way, but if you've got clear road ahead of you, you gotta take advantage of it. Stop to take a photo, 5 guys pass you, then it's back to the dusty grind again. There are other photos posted of this stretch, though, so y'all ain't missing out on anything

We got a room as soon as we got back, and I couldn't get in that hot shower fast enough. The showers in Bay of LA were a bit, how shall I say this...refreshingly brisk...and I was looking forward to a long hot leisurely shower. It did not disappoint. I got in bed right afterwards, as I was feeling like crap ever since I noticed a cold coming on the night before. Well, before you know it we're firing up the bikes and on our way to the booming metropolis of downtown San Felipe for the only microbew in Baja. It was me, Eric, Mike Kay, Greg and David (IonEater and fitness2go) on our bikes, with Armin (Hammer) and Jamie following in their truck. Dave and Blake (BCVisin) joined us a bit later. I rode in the back of the pack and had a great time watching Greg and David hoisting big fat wheelies on the way. I don't know what it is about motorcycles that brings out the inner kid in all of us, but I suspect it's a major reason why most of us ride them

Me and David out in front of the bar...

We ordered food to be delivered from Beto's across the street. As usual, Mike did not steer us wrong, as the food was extremely tasty.
We settled down into the luxurious bar chairs and watched the `07 Baja 1000 on the gargantuan screen about 6 feet away from us...

David gearing up to leave...

Got back to the hotel, realized I'd left my glasses there. Eric went back for them but they were gone. Went to Beto's the next morning to see if they were there ($100 says that's where I left `em...) but no go. I asked in my best Spanish (after asking Mike how to say "glasses") and the lady handed me a menu, so it appears as though I need to work on my Spanish a bit before striking out on my own Even Mike couldn't get the glasses to appear. Oh well...I guess what happens in Baja really does stay in Baja...

Eric and I were up early the next morning. I pushed my bike behind the building before firing it up and riding it over to the trailer in the "long-term" parking lot. I will admit to a tinge of sadness. I didn't want to leave just yet. There is a staggering amount of opportunity for riding down there, whether it be on a zillion-pound GS or a lightweight 2-stroke dirt bike, and I wasn't quite ready to turn towards the north. One last photo and the bike gets loaded...

Said some good-byes and Mike, Coffee and I pulled outta town in search of breakfast, fitness2go, IonEater, Lairpost and Flying Trash Can in tow. We ended up at the aforementioned Baja Java, soon to be joined by JimB, George and...Larry, maybe? I can't remember...anyway, killer breakfast!

The border crossing was a tad time-consuming. It took about 2 hours total, I'm guessing. We got yanked outta line and sent to the "secondary" stop...or whatever it was called. They searched the back of the truck and brought out the drug-sniffing dogs. They must be birddogs, too, because they caught some lady trying to smuggle a parrott in her purse. The whole experience could have been stressful, but with Mike in control I had no worries whatsoever.

Got into Calexico, hooked back up with the WA kids and FTC, and learned that the Grapevine was closed due to snow. Here we are trying to figure out alternate routes...

We moved things around in a Wal-Mart parking lot and sent Coffee, IonEater and fitness2go on their way home, while we loaded Lairpost's bike on our trailer and began the long trek back home. We noticed some unusual brake noise that wasn't there before, but shrugged it of with a mental note to take it easy on the declines. I buckled up my 5-point harness just in case.

We dropped Lairpost off in Oceanside, and continued north on 101. We pulled an all-nighter and rolled into Oakland about 5:15am. I had to be at work at 6am, but luckily my boss gave me the day off. Eric took the day off, too. We set Mike up in the campervan and he slept about 5 hours before returning home up north. Or trying to, anyway. He said the brakes disintegrated on the way and the truck ended up in the shop. Yikes We still aren't fully recovered, and I'm still hacking and coughing all the time.

I have to give a big thanks to Mike and George for taking on such a Herculean task and completing it with great success. We only had one flat tire (mine,) one minor electrical issue and one broken silencer bracket. No one got lost, we only had one minor injury and Matt was able to ride it out on his own so no big deal, and there were no personality battles or any other weirdness to deal with. Each and every one of the folks I met was warm and personable, and their true personalities were much like their on-line personas, and that's always a good thing. The riding itself was secondary, as I think the best part for me was meeting everyone and being able to put a face to a name. This is a good group of individuals we've managed to assemble here, and I think that's something that we can all take pride in. Eric enjoyed himself much more than he thought he would, as he always does when I manage to talk him into some far-flung adventure with a bunch of people we've never met before He really enjoyed everyone's company, as well, and had a great time riding with everyone. If he didn't enjoy his KTM so much, he'd be on a TE610, for sure Thanks for letting him tag along on his non-Husky


Anyway, that's it from me. It was an excellent experience and I'm already looking forward to the next ride down in Baja



WoodsChick

 

[PALMER84ONE]

Very nice write up everyone. I am hoping to see more shots from Jamie when they get home. I don't think I downloaded everything yet. Thanks to everyone that showed up and helped out. We are a very large group of great people here and it truly showed in Baja. Thanks to the support trucks, drivers (Coffee Dean, Scott and Dave) Leaders and sweepers, George and Mike for a great time. I have to admit, I didn't really know I was going to have that great of a time, but it was splendid indeed.

Gary out.

 

[Dirtdame]

Great write ups, videos and photos, one and all!

 

[hammer]

Very nice write up everyone. I am hoping to see more shots from Jamie when they get home. I don't think I downloaded everything yet. Thanks to everyone that showed up and helped out. We are a very large group of great people here and it truly showed in Baja. Thanks to the support trucks, drivers (Coffee Dean, Scott and Dave) Leaders and sweepers, George and Mike for a great time. I have to admit, I didn't really know I was going to have that great of a time, but it was splendid indeed.

Gary out.

We got home Thursday at 8pm but have not downloaded the camera yet.
I would also like to thank everyone that worked so hard to put this together. Jaime and I talked on the way home (since we had a few minutes) and we decided that if another ride like this is put together we will do everything in our power to get down to Baja again. I would also like to invite anyone that would like to come to Ontario for a ride to stay at our house. It was great to meet so many fun people.

Armin

 

[JimO]

David (F2G) wow great job with story and photos...you 2 Woodschick, Palmer, Blake, FTC, Bob, and everyone else who has posted. Im having a great time looking and reading your write ups. I tell you this ride was great and I hope we all can do it again. Riding with George that guy hauls ass...on our way to CoCo's I was behind George I saw the sandy side roads and gassed it, next thing I know George is blazing by on the road and gone in a cloud. I could only imagine his race pace. And Mike Kay this guy flies through all terrain. We had a lot of fun on the sandy baja 1000 section North of BoLA. I must mention Blake too is fast and smooth. And Eric is an incredible rider, we got in some good battles and having some great fun. He goes through rocks and water good, and prefers the wet line over the dry line? He had me laughing for miles in the wash. Woodchick if you taught him to ride dirt...you did good. And all of you who have never rode in the desert terrain like the Canadiens and Great NW guys, good job you all did really great.

Some of my favorites from the trip: Riding with my bro in Baja. The food at Alfoncitas. Scotties BB-Q (Blakes dad...awesome food dude!!!good job). Getting the 310 submarine to run again. Meeting all Husky riders who came far and wide to experience Baja. Not so favorites: Getting hit in the eye by an asteroid off Blakes rear tire. The drive home.

Jim.

 

[PALMER84ONE]

JimO had such a good time he had to post it twice. Now that is reliving the ride.

 

[WoodsChick]

JimO had such a good time he had to post it twice. Now that is reliving the ride.

That's funny!

I'll delete one of them, `cuz if I don't Coffee will


WoodsChick

 

[WoodsChick]

David (F2G) wow great job with story and photos...you 2 Woodschick, Palmer, Blake, FTC, Bob, and everyone else who has posted. Im having a great time looking and reading your write ups. I tell you this ride was great and I hope we all can do it again. Riding with George that guy hauls ass...on our way to CoCo's I was behind George I saw the sandy side roads and gassed it, next thing I know George is blazing by on the road and gone in a cloud. I could only imagine his race pace. And Mike Kay this guy flies through all terrain. We had a lot of fun on the sandy baja 1000 section North of BoLA. I must mention Blake too is fast and smooth. And Eric is an incredible rider, we got in some good battles and having some great fun. He goes through rocks and water good, and prefers the wet line over the dry line? He had me laughing for miles in the wash. Woodchick if you taught him to ride dirt...you did good. And all of you who have never rode in the desert terrain like the Canadiens and Great NW guys, good job you all did really great.

Some of my favorites from the trip: Riding with my bro in Baja. The food at Alfoncitas. Scotties BB-Q (Blakes dad...awesome food dude!!!good job). Getting the 310 submarine to run again. Meeting all Husky riders who came far and wide to experience Baja. Not so favorites: Getting hit in the eye by an asteroid off Blakes rear tire. The drive home.

Jim.

If you think Eric is a good rider on his larfy +320lb KTM, you should go riding with him when he's on a real dirt bike He really likes that KTM, though, for some reason...

It was great meeting you and your bro Nick. I felt safer having you guys along, as well Let's hook up for a ride when Clear Creek finally re-opens. Yeah, I know...I'm thinking positive


WoodsChick

 

[Coffee]

Just now breaking out the camera cards & video tape... a bunch of stuff to sort through.

The trip is now so well documented I'll only put up things that others did not see - like me bending the roll cage in the truck with my hands trying to hold on while Mario Andretti drove Mikes truck

 

[Stroker Ace]

Can't wait...........

 

[Flying Trash Can]

Just now breaking out the camera cards & video tape... a bunch of stuff to sort through.

The trip is now so well documented I'll only put up things that others did not see - like me bending the roll cage in the truck with my hands trying to hold on while Mario Andretti drove Mikes truck

still waiting..............

 

[Coffee]

still waiting..............

And you will continue to wait... Videos have been previewed by 2 people and I need to squeeze 45 minutes down so it makes sense.

The 800 pics are gonna take some time too.

1 more week?

 

[Stroker Ace]

Man I'm glad I didn't feather dust any of YOUR equipment****************************************!! One more week****************************************! Don't make us come up there****************************************!

 

[JULIO]

Hi Gang: Like everyone has said it was an experience to remember. My photos won't upload for some reason. Too many mb's
Thanks George and Mike, Scot and Coffee. Ride was safe and GREAT food , even the mystery fish at Villa Vita... Thanks to all for the great photos and running dialogues.
It was great meet all of you.
One last thought: Four beers ,three shooters Friday eve was not the way to start the Saturday mornings whooped out road . Be Safe All. Julio

 

[ioneater]

Julio, which rider were you? Not familiar with your name? What bike?

 

[WoodsChick]

Julio, which rider were you? Not familiar with your name? What bike?

He's known as Jules when north of the border. Here he is in the white Husky hat and red jacket...

I'm not sure, but rumour has it that he was riding a Husky of some sort down in Baja...

Clete and Jules at breakfast...

WoodsChick

 

[ioneater]

Thanks, there were a few gentlemen I didn't get to talk to very much, unfortunately. I sat right across from Clete at breakfast that morning, I was probably thinking about java. Cool beans!