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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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okay, I worry about the bikers. and I'm really concerned when I come across them stopped in the middle of Mex 1 taking pictures, etc. however, as
SAG support for my sister/brother-in-law for some of their trips cross/down USA (crazyguyonabike.com)I just support them in what they choose to do
which is not necessarily what I would choose to do. their last trip, cross country San Diego to Florida got aborted when they were hit by an RV
awning that came loose at just the wrong moment. stuff happens.
I'm in El Juncalito, just south of Loreto, and will be living in Loreto for the next five weeks, so tell him when he comes thru this way and needs
someone for local assistance or a place to crash for the night, let me know. will U2U you with email address and local address.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
Member Is Offline
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bikers
If they ride down the lane like they are a car instead of next to the shoulder, then cars/ trucks passing them would have to pass just like they were
a car. Meaning wait until its safe to pass.
After all a bike is a vehicle and has just as much right to the lane as a car does.
That being said
I still think he's (*&%^%#^%$#) NUTS
Where he's going he'll have much more dangerous roads/ places, then Mex 1
DAND
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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A 2MPH bicycle in the middle of a 50MPH highway is an accident in the making for some poor soul.
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Bajabus
Senior Nomad
Posts: 892
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Elias Calles B.C.S. or NC USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: My friends..it's good.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
A 2MPH bicycle in the middle of a 50MPH highway is an accident in the making for some poor soul. |
Especially on a blind curve or if he is in a dip and one of those countless crazy passes happens. We have all seen them and the sometimes result.
I suppose it is his right but it is a very dangerous thing. I have mixed opinions on it, one thing to undertake a risky thing for the joy and
adventure of it and quite another to put others at increased risk for it.
Then again anyone that undertakes a drive down Baja knows it is somewhat more risky than a casual drive in the states. Bikes are a part of it.
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
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I could think of better places to ride(like the dirt roads as suggested); but, I don't see a problem with it. I've met many bike riders throughout
Mexico during my years of travel and never met any of them that regretted it. It's not the most bike friendly country; but, they know that.
Nonetheless, bicycling is an accepted form of transport by locals throughout Mexico (most often for shorter distances; but, often on the main highway)
in addition to a private car, taxi, bus, horseback, and walking, etc...
If you can't slow down enough to wait for a safe place to pass a bike rider, it is you that is being unsafe, not them. Really, how had is it to sit
on your rear and push pedals with you feet and spin a wheel with your hands? It's that hard? Whats the speed limit again? 60 - 80 KPH? (37 - 50MPH)
You can't see far enough ahead to slow down?
Is it the cows fault they are in the road when you come around a corner with too much speed? Should all the potholes get out of your way?
What about hitting they guy with the broken down truck stalled in the middle of the road on a blind curve? Is it his fault you hit him? Maybe we
could blame it on his engine, the automaker that made his truck, the road paving crew that built the road, the sun... anybody but you. That is much
more convenient.
Driving a car is a serous matter. Don't neglect to look in the mirror and take responsibly for your own actions as well. I am sure he knows the
risks of riding a bike and has done what he can to minimize them. If he messes up, he crashes and gets road rash. If you mess up you kill someone.
He isn't the one that is causing you to drive to fast for the conditions.
So it's not the widest road in the world. So then do we ban semi's and RV's too?
Whether you drive a car or ride a bike in Baja or elsewhere I advise you to learn the risks and how to operate your machine safely. If you hit a
pedestrian, bicyclist, car, rock, pothole, or horse because you were going too fast to avoid it or not paying attention - Who's fault is that again?
If you can't take responsibility for what your vehicle runs into you should put it in park permanently and walk away before YOU kill someone. BTW -
As a pedestrian you'll need to watch out for the "crazy" insensitive drivers... they just might run you over and blame it on you for being in THEIR
way.
I find it funny how everyone here was so overjoyed about the children receiving their bicycles for the toy drive; yet, are unwilling to share the road
with anyone on a bike because they are "crazy" and "put others at risk". I just hope those kids never get run over by a reckless driver with flawed
logic. Your not the only one with a quest to see what is beyond the horizon.
(Devils Advocate - Over and out)
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
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Top 10 reasons to never visit Baja:
10. You/your family/friends will die
9. You will be kidnapped for ransom
8. You will be assaulted
7. You will be robbed or extorted
5. You will meet an unscrupulous real estate sales "professional"
4. You will meet an unscrupulous female "professional"
3. You will meet a diseased dollop of mayo on your fish taco and not be able to leave the company of a porcelain convenience for 72 hours
2. You will meet a gringo, who appears friendly, but find out that your political views are different and after 2 minutes of political discussion
treat him/her/it worse than mexicans generally treat their dogs
1. You will encounter someone on a bicycle
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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you forgot..............
They ran out of Pacifico
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1617
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
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People have the right to put themselves in danger if that's their desire. However they have no right to endanger the lives of others. On the
majority of this road there is no room for him to get out of the way of others. If he wants to accomplish a real feat he needs to do it off the
pavement. I am astonished at the selfishness of his act. Sorry folks, I'm not impressed.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64537
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Well, yah... since it's the ONLY highway down the length of the peninsula... 
Riding Okay if it were possible for him to pull over so as to not cause an accident... but much of Mex. 1 there is no way to...
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Phil C
Senior Nomad
Posts: 564
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
Member Is Offline
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ALL of the people I've actualy met and talked to who were riding a bike on the highway in Baja had only seen it on a map! What an " ADVENTURE". Most
of them were Euros. One couple even had thier dog in a trailer, we met them on the dirt road south of Puertocitos, at least they did some dirt, they
were heading to Yucatan. they said the worst they had seen was the Orteaga highway!
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
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I am an experienced/avid/adventurous bicyclist. I wouldn't do this ride, as there are other rides with more challenge and less danger. But, I
support his right to challenge himself and goforit.
What I don't understand is the road rage expressed in this and other threads(June 25 2007). It's not me against you on the road,... is it?
Mango's point about Dia de Reyes bicycles is interesting. What is different about a 6 year old on their first bike in your cul-de-sac v. the guy/gal
on Mex1?
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Seems pretty unanamous that this is a crazy thing to do and very dangerous. I tend to agree 100 percent!
Bob H
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alan
People have the right to put themselves in danger if that's their desire. However they have no right to endanger the lives of others. On
the majority of this road there is no room for him to get out of the way of others. If he wants to accomplish a real feat he needs to do it
off the pavement. I am astonished at the selfishness of his act. Sorry folks, I'm not impressed. |
Selfish?
Many bike riders I've seen in Mexico are locals that may not own a car. According to the logic of many here they must be selfish also. They should go
buy a $40,000 truck so some gringos don't have to be inconvenienced!
Should the slow trucks chugging their way up the grades have to get out of the way too? They take up far more room than a bike and often go as slow.
Are they selfish?
For all the people that seem to be confused or panic when they see a bike, slow truck, RV, cow, etc... here is what to do:
If slower traffic, then check to see if it is safe to pass.
-If yes, then pass and continue.
-If no, then slow down and repeat algorithm.
Not so hard. Now is it?
It is fine for people to go faster than others. Just be safe and remain in control if you choose to do so. This often requires waiting until it is
safe to pass a truck, car, or bike. In many cases, people pass when it is unsafe; but, this is not the fault of the person being
passed - it is the fault of the person who make the bad decision to pass when it was unsafe
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Seems pretty unanamous that this is a crazy thing to do and very dangerous. I tend to agree 100 percent!
Bob H |
I also agree 100%
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msawin
Nomad
Posts: 371
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: Grass Valley,Ca / Tripui
Member Is Offline
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In my twenty years of driving down #1 and seeing these "brave adventures" on the same strecth as me and wishing them to have as great a trip as mine,
I think having read the posts entered before me. It comes down to those 3-10 seconds to make a decision. Where I put my car, with that 18 wheeler
coming at me... And what do you do? Un-like my culdisac neighborhood, with junior on the new X-mas bike. All my neighbors are going about 15 miles an
hour or slower. Backing out. Looking left or right.... OR No. A "18' ft'er doing 75 an hour right in front of you!! Quick.. left / right ,,,,,
break / spead-up...stop...5 seconds and its over...
good luck to all, as I make the trip in 4 weeks myself.
martin-o
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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wanna read the FUNNIEST reasons not to go to baja?
they are at Dale Pearson's site
www.gonetobaja.com 
i say let 'em ride!!! its felony dumb but it should be their informed choice........ 
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64537
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajadock
I am an experienced/avid/adventurous bicyclist. I wouldn't do this ride, as there are other rides with more challenge and less danger. But, I
support his right to challenge himself and goforit.
What I don't understand is the road rage expressed in this and other threads(June 25 2007). It's not me against you on the road,... is it?
Mango's point about Dia de Reyes bicycles is interesting. What is different about a 6 year old on their first bike in your cul-de-sac v. the guy/gal
on Mex1? |
The concern/ outrage, etc. is about riding HIGHWAY ONE, not some residential street in the city.
Those trucks need that highway to transport goods, the people of Baja dependent on tourism need those RVs to use that highway to get south.... BUT,
some Euro or Eco nut that thinks it would be fun to ride a bike on the highway that is not designed beyond the needs of trucks, RVs and cars is
causing a problem... because a bike is so small, but still requires everyone to move into the opposite lane to get around it. That puts others in
danger. The solution would be to use dirt roads instead...
Once again, look at this photo that jrbaja took and tell me where is there room for a cross country bike rider... and that is a straight section? What
about the hills out of El Rosario or near Santa Rosalia?
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
Member Is Offline
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I think this is the third bicycle Mex1 thread in my 16 months here. History is repeated in many Nomad posts like this one. I enjoy this disagreement
and discussion much more than the Union-Trib, Rocky Mtn News or Orlando
Scenile.
My road bike still hasn't touched Mex dirt/pavement for safety reasons. Safe travels to all.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17398
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alan
People have the right to put themselves in danger if that's their desire. However they have no right to endanger the lives of others. On the
majority of this road there is no room for him to get out of the way of others. If he wants to accomplish a real feat he needs to do it off the
pavement. I am astonished at the selfishness of his act. Sorry folks, I'm not impressed. |
Seems to me the selfish individual is the one who thinks their auto has more right to the road than another legal vehicle.
Bikes have as much right to use a road as autos do. Autos just need to slow down when they see a slow vehicle and only pass when safe. You should
not pass a bicyclist or any slow moving vehicle when another vehicle is heading toward you.
Will it really inconvenience you to slow down and wait to pass the bike when it is safe to do so?
What's your rush?
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
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More food for thought from our dear friend, JR
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