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beemerdons

Certifiable Old Fart
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This Mexico Motorcycle Ride Report was masterminded by AZ Beemers President Brian Boles; with text additions provided by mi Hijo Bastardo SkooterG, GSJane, Mi Sobrino Enrique Garza and Papa Chuy Viejo:

At 5ish in the morning, there’s not many brain cells in operation yet, so my memory of the morning ride out is sketchy. I think I met up with Henry and Bob at Starbucks in Mesa, then we rode out I-10 to Gila Bend. Fortunately, the autopilot didn’t take me to work.

In Gila Bend, Don, Greg Jane, and Barry were there. Then it was the long boring stretch on I-8 to Yuma where we met David. Some more boring I-8, then at least the Mountain Springs Grade is somewhat interesting. At the top of the hill, we hopped onto CA-94. This is a fun little road that twists through the boulders through some little farming towns on its way to Tecate and our border cross.

Got through the border with a quick inspection. The bad news was that the Banjercito office had closed down. Don needed to cancel his. We were told that the one at Algondones was also closed and in fact the nearest were Tijuana and Sonoita (on the road to Rocky Pt.). Hmmm..

From Tecate, we headed southwest for Ensenada. This is very scenic country, very reminicent of central California. There are lots of wineries in the area, interspersed in the valleys between the mountains. Most of the road was fun, except for some construction zones. There’s a reason that GS are so popular in Mexico.

By mid afternoon, we were decending into Ensenada’s downtown tourist area and our hotel. After a long ride, the pool was, err, let’s just say "refreshing" (cold!).

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Ensenada claims the 2nd biggest Mexican flag, It flies over their harbor where the cruise liners come to port.

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Because of the cruise boats, the downtown area is kept very nice, clean and bustling with shops, resturants and bars. It has somewhat of a European feel, with sidewalk dining.

Don wanted to start the evening at Hussong’s tavern, allegedly the oldest continuously operating bar in the Baja and favorite of Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.

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In front, there’s a guy sharpening knives, in case anybody wants to get into some Chingaso.

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Melanie made a new friend.

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For dinner, we ate at the resturant across from the hotel. The food was good, with very fresh seafood as you might expect. The drinks were flowing also. Here’s some shots of us before dinner.

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Here’s Greg commenting on a Margerita. Yes, this is an after dinner and many drinks shot.

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The bill ended up being some rather large number and there were rumors of $100 tips being passed around. Eventually, enough money was rounded up and we left to wander the streets with major buzzes, full bellies and empty wallets.

Greg is hamming it up with the art.

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Next morning, we rode over to La Bufadora (The Blowhole). It is a formation in the ocean cliffs that shoots water like a gieser when a wave crashes into shore. Being a tourist spot, the entrance is lined with shops and resturant/bars. The cruise ships send their folks over on busses.

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A look up the shopping street.

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We got the bikes parked and headed over to see the spray.

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Seagulls hanging out at the parking area.

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A view of the bay.

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The other side. The blowhole is next to that red tiled building.

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The Bufadora itself.

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Another look across the bay.

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For lunch, we picked a taco shop, mostly based on the smell as we rode by. It was excellent.

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Some of the other resturants are more rustic.

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Some more wandering around the stores.

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Melanie and Viagra man. Lots of pharmacies to provide cheap drugs, without a prescription, to the tourists.

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On the way back, we shot some photos from the vistas on the hills.

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Those circles in the water are shrimp farms. The nets trap the shrimp and protect them from other fish.

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This is the bay of Ensenada, on the other side of the peninsula from Bufadora. The town of Ensenada is way in the background.

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Along the road are some stands which sell picked veggies and tamales. The veggies are locally grown including olives and olive oil.

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I’m always ready for a tamale, so we tried the traditional beef and also a pineapple (pina) tamale.

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The non-tamale junkies in the group had a drink across the street.

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Continutation of AZB Brian Boles' Ride Report:

There was also a guy selling birds.

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Back in town, I headed for the Malecon (boardwalk) along the port. This wierd guy is on top of a local nightclub.

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Here’s a nice shot of the flag. It is big !

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I know that Don is totally in to them, so I took a picture of a Goldwing for him.

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Some shots of the harbor.

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And some snoozing sea lions.

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Here’s the local dry dock.

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Here’s some pictures of pelicans hanging out.

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There’s lots of street food vendors in Mexico. This guy whipped up a mean torta (Mexican style sandwich, torta=turtle because the bun is turtle shell shaped). Grilled steak, avacado sauce, garnish and hot sauce on a warm grilled roll.

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When I returned to the hotel, one of the maids offered to wash my bike for $2. My bike hadn’t been washed in, ... err... since .. Well it’s been a while. I gave her $5 and ended up with a nice clean shiny bike. Don had his done also.

Then time for a little more shopping before dinner.

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I’m being eaten by a shark!

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Greg with a fruity drink.

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Don’s new girlfriend ! She’s hot.

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The next morning, we crossed the Baja over to San Filipe. Sorry, for some reason, I didn’t take many more pictures and now I wish I had.

Because the Baja is a series of mountains and valleys running north to south, the road across west to east was fun. Lots of twisties and an occastional grind of the floorboards on the big blue wing. We stopped for breakfast in Valle de la Trinidad. The local resturant had a Sunday buffet going. Lots of traditional recepies and all delicious. Lots of dirt bikers and off roaders in this area. It’s part of the Baja 1000 course. After filling up, we continued east and eventually crossed the last string of mountains. Before us is the Colorado river delta. The insides of the Grand Canyon are in there somewhere along with sand from most of the soutwest. Heading south, the delta turned into tide basins then turned into real ocean and then we arrived.

After checking in at the hotel, Don and Barry rode with Henry to visit his Tia, who has a beach house just south.

Melanie and I spent the afternoon on the beach. The water here is perfect this time of year, not too cold, not too bath watery. I chatted with some fishermen about what they were bringing in.

We wandered around the shops some, as the prices were much better here than Ensenada. Melanie has more metal and jewels around her wrists.

We had dinner at Don’s namesake resturant, Chuy’s. Nothing better then fish just plucked out of the ocean.

Monday morning, it was time to head home. We grabbed some breakfast at a place near the beach.

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On the ride back, the road skirts around the edge of the river delta. The scenery is unusual, with jagged mountains dropping into vast flat, featureless salt plains and mud flats. Part of the road is a dirt causeway, about 1/3 of which is normally covered with sand. We had to hang left to avoid the sand areas.

When the underground water turns from brackish to fresh, farming sprouts up and the next hour or so of the ride is through a farming wonderland. A lot of the crop was green onions and the air carried the aroma. Made me want to do some stir-fry chicken and green onions. After a minor detour, (Don - the GPS had it right !! ), we arrived in San Luis del Rio Colorado. Here we said goodby to David as his home in Yuma was just across the fence.

From there, it was a long boring ride down Mex-2 to Sonoita. The interesting thing here is to see our tax dollars at work on the border "fence". I put fence in quotes. At San Luis DC, the fence is a tall strong steel structure. As you head east, the fence gets shorter. And shorter. Eventually, it is only 3’ tall. I guess it is only intended to stop cars and quads. They catch the walkers by following their footprints. In some places, where the terrain is too tough, there is no fence at all.

At Sonoita, Don left to clear his Banjercito and the rest of us headed for the border. On advice of one of the locals, we lane split our way to the front of the line and go to the inspection area quickly. They were training a new dog and put some "fake" cocaine on Greg’s bike to work the dog. They asked me and I said "No way", as I don’t want the next dog to freak out over my bike six months from now.

After a burger at Ajo Dairy Queen, Melanie and I hit the road back home.

All in all, a great trip, great weather, no problems and lots of fun.

 
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Damn! I've got to find a place where I can ride all year. Looks like you guys had a great trip. :drinks:

A friend has a 'tindaminium' for sale in Apache Junction.......hmmm.

Thanks for the pics.

Al

 
WTF?!?!?

We did this ride, what? two years ago? You are just posting the ride report now? You're a goofy bastard!

Sure brings back good memories. Love those trips down south!

 
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Thanks for the RR Don!

Bet it seems like only yesterday... :eek:

--G
Gorgeous George, I'm trying to get your illegitimate bastard Grandfather Niehart to ride with me down to Mulege, Baja California Sur MEX for my 65th Birthday next year!

 
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Thanks for the RR Don!

Bet it seems like only yesterday... :eek:

--G
Gorgeous George, I'm trying to get your illegitimate bastard Grandfather Niehart to ride with me down to Mulege, Baja California Sur MEX for my 65th Birthday next year!
Good thing you're starting early Don. He'll likely need some convincing...and perhaps a new STen for the trip!

--G

 
Thanks for the RR Don!

Bet it seems like only yesterday... :eek:

--G
Gorgeous George, I'm trying to get your illegitimate bastard Grandfather Niehart to ride with me down to Mulege, Baja California Sur MEX for my 65th Birthday next year!
Good thing you're starting early Don. He'll likely need some convincing...and perhaps a new STen for the trip!

--G
No worries 'G', Pops will be riding along with RenoJohn, Old Michael, ShinyPartsUp and Papa Chuy: Even the Zetas Cartel won't mess with the Irish Republican Army!

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