TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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250 Trip Report
With the San Felipe 250 race moved to Ensenada I quickly made reservations at the Ensenada Inn. On Thursday I picked up my friend Bill in LA and
headed south. After lunch in San Diego with a friend we crossed into TJ, something I try not to do if possible, I prefer the Tecate crossing. Down the
toll road to Ensenada. It is a beautiful drive along the ocean.
Into Ensenada and to the hotel. Corky is there and I also Met several racing buddies I haven't seen in a while staying at the hotel. We BS a while
then Bill, Corky and I take a walk and go out for dinner. When we get back I see a possible problem on race day. The hotel parking lot is fully packed
with cars and trucks. I could have a problem getting out early (5am) on race day.
Friday morning Bill, Corky and I have breakfast and later head over to contingency where I buy a San Felipe 250 T shirt. Paid double for it. Bill goes
off to find an internet room or whatever you call them and Corky and I head back to the hotel and we meet Tunaeater (Paul) on the street. He wants to
get settled in and then go prerunning. Paul calls and Bill and I take off for Independencia. Paul is waiting at the turn off with his friend. He gets
on his motorcycle and off we go to find the course. After a little confusion we find it. Paul preruns to past Trinidad where we load up and go back to
Ensenada.
The plan is to pick up Paul at 5am and take him to where he will get on the bike. I got lucky and was able to park my truck as the first one out of
the lot. We're up at 4:30am and go to get Paul. Things changed a little and he now has another friend to take him out to the race course also he's
getting on at the KM77 hwy area. So Bill and I go back to the hotel to get everything and check out.
We're finally on the road and out to KM77. Paul shows up and we wait for the bike. 1X was thru first and surprisingly 16X was second 5 1/2 minutes
behind which put him a minute up on 1X. We hear on the radio that 2X Chris Blais had problems around RM60. Our bike 106X comes in and Paul is gone. We
run down to Trinidad and out to the power line road and over to the large pit area. Well we made a wrong turn and end up on a dead end road next to a
large blue tank. We turn around finally pick up the power lines but I'm still confused but we end up at the race course. Actually a really good
location to pit. After we set up I take a hike up the hill and next thing I know a bike is coming and it's Paul on the radio telling me he's OK. We
wait to make sure all is well then back track.
On the way out a truck comes in and they too are lost looking for the pit area. We are stopped at a cross road when a girl goes by toward the west in
a Toyota with a big gas can in the bed. Well I figure she must be headed for the pit area and we follow. On the way we come upon a Ford Bronco with
the hood up. The guy says he stopped to help a bicycle that had a coat wrapped up in the rear wheel and now his truck wouldn't start. Just as I pull
back to give him a jump start his truck starts. All is well that ends well. We find the pit area.
After a great lunch in Trinidad we take the KM109 turn off on hwy 3 back to the race course to watch the Trophy Trucks and cars. The first ones were
just coming thru when we get there. It was a great place to watch. There is a dip in the road so when the racers come thru they catch air out of it.
Some of the rear engine cars would hold the front end up for what seemed like a long time. Maybe a 100 yrads past the dip was a concrete bridge with
maybe 15 or more inches exposed on each side corner. Hit it wrong and there goes a tire. After the concrete was a sharp left turn. The racers were
flying into the turn. It was exciting. When the class 12 cars went thru we packed up and off to San Felipe.
We shower at Petes Camp and have a margarita. Drop off some German beer at a friends house and stop by Bajalou to chit chat. Low and behold Corky is
there. So with Lou's wife joining us we all go to dinner. After dinner Bill and I go into town to continue our search for the best margarita in Baja.
Sunday morning and another great day in Baja. We head north to Mexicali and stop at the Lucerne hotel for lunch. Very nice place. A little pricey but
very good. And the magarita was good too. Over to the main border crossing and my goodness it took us 1 hour 45 minutes to get across. That's about
the longest I've ever waited. We didn't try Tecate because we thought all the racers etc. would be crossing there.
Had another great time in Baja.
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
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Mood: In love!
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Thanks, TW.
Good report. I was down in the San Felipe area Saturday race day. Sunday, I went in via La Ventana and checked out the go-around near the bottom of
the Pole Line Road. It is in good shape so Pole Line Runners can go south to San Felipe. Detail in a report soon. We waited until Monday noon to cross
at Tecate with a half-dozen cars in line ahead of us.
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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It was great to see you and Bill again, as well as Corky. You're always welcome. Teina and I really enjoyed your visit and dinner - lets do it
again. And Neal and John, whenever you're in the San Felipe area, come on by. Always have a cold bottle of water for a airdologist or other nomad.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Neal Johns
Super Nomad
Posts: 1687
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: In love!
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OK, bajalou, send directions to aridnealatgotskydotcom
But only if you have a cold Mountain Dew. 
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64524
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Neal reads GPS, Lou... Just make sure you both are on the same datum, or he will be breaking into another El Dorado place looking for a Mountain
Dew!
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Neal Johns
OK, bajalou, send directions to aridnealatgotskydotcom
But only if you have a cold Mountain Dew. |
Give me just a little warning and Mountain Dew it shall be.
11 R 0697232
3441435
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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