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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8921
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Black Trans Lives Matter
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How to run a safe 4WD run in 2021
Last week, I was asked to inbox a serious 4 wheeler who wants to run Pole Line Road. Earlier in the summer, a pair of magazine individuals asked me
the same. Momentum is building after 16 years of leading the same run to make it all happen again.
Then, there is the fact that reality is stranger than fiction.
In 2019, months after announcing my 9 day trail bonanza, an 'exploratory' Baja run surfaced, whose sole purpose was to "tag along" in a semi-serious
fashion. Its members stocked up on copious amounts of beer while neglecting the requirements I reviewed for several weeks preceding the run.
When the run happened along the road to Cohabuzo Junction, a group of 5 rigs appeared out of nowhere. Its members enthusiastically purchased the last
remaining 'El Imposible' t-shirts and hoodies, then asked us if we had gasoline to spare as they were all on empty and couldn't continue, as they
weren't sure they could adequately make it back to Mexicali to the nearest Pemex.
We crossed paths with this hapless group of Jeeps and Tacoma's - the wife of one of the drivers complaining loudly that she couldn't tolerate the
rough dirt roads of Baja. WTF?
All of this would make anyone laugh out loud over a cerveza and beef jerky, but in this day and age, the question becomes - who is responsible for
transport in the event someone develops symptoms? We were lucky to have a Surgeon in out party, but Virology and Surgery are two different animals,
typically with entirely different outcomes.
A concern of mine is having someone develop symptoms of the virus, display symptoms, not be allowed to cross POE into USA, and need immediate vehicle
storage of infected auto. Not a good scenario, but one that I would have to solve in my mind before thinking about a run date, promotions and the
actual announcement.
I have read this virus will eventually become endemic begging the question, if it isn't going away, then why bother postponing events if
everyone were to get tested and safely distance for the run? The problem is, coming into contact with strangers who planned on tackling the same
trails you promoted on the back of a t-shirt and wine bottle that forgot to bring gasoline but over compensated with cases of beer and complaining
spouses.
I don't want to call this, "the end" of trail runs as I have come to lead in Baja since the late 90's, but they have become exponentially complex
since my last large scale pair of runs in February of this year.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17296
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Online
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Don’t invite people you don’t know.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9234
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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Got to limit who goes. Perhaps make everyone get tests before going. You can get the results in 10-15 mins these day.
Don't stop living life. Just be more cautious.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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Ken I'm faced with this all the time. My fellow mc riders from CA been coming here riding . With me from first reports of coivd. You bet I worry as
my small town has no sick people. With Ca being a hot bed of sick ones. So do we hide in a shack for the next 10 years. Only thing we can do is talk
on phone to ask . How they feel use all safety measures.Also I limit just two at a time. if your thinking a big group from CA that would worry me.
Unless your far apart difficult to due with big group.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8921
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Black Trans Lives Matter
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Quote: Originally posted by JZ  | Got to limit who goes. Perhaps make everyone get tests before going. You can get the results in 10-15 mins these day.
Don't stop living life. Just be more cautious.
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The reality is not everyone likes playing by the rules (I.e. - "tyranny"). These are some good tips, however.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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| Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider | | Ken I'm faced with this all the time. My fellow mc riders from CA been coming here riding . With me from first reports of coivd. You bet I worry as
my small town has no sick people. With Ca being a hot bed of sick ones. So do we hide in a shack for the next 10 years. Only thing we can do is talk
on phone to ask . How they feel use all safety measures.Also I limit just two at a time. if your thinking a big group from CA that would worry me.
Unless your far apart difficult to due with big group. |
Don't need to worry much about me. Been tested every week since March. Mandatory at work.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Just attended the 4lo fiesta in San Felipe. Had a great time even though usually I prefer a very small group. 43 vehicles participated. I think they
said 91 people.
I can't sit home and be scared while life passes me by. Take care of yourself.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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Yes. Ed true words any chance we ride this year. winter has arrived now cold can do tight trails again.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3005
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
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Ken, Never give out the time/date of your trips publicly. Or keep the time/date very broad except for those invited to attend.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13033
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Screening is crucial and Covid testing is a great idea.
But on a trip like that ANYTHING could happen which could be far worse than covid. So having contingency plans are important...evacuation plan, good
first aid kit and person, reliable communications in the event of an accident etc.
Go for it, have fun....ya never know when your expiry date comes up
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3005
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
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Good comments.
Make sure at least one person attending has an InReach device.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Heck ya we will ride. I plan on coming down sometime around November 19th
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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I can see why many people come uninvited. I can see why Ken is one great person to tag along. The one and only trip I did with Ken I had no idea what
to expect. All Baja nomads on this trip real good people. How I handle the locals that want to ride on our long multiple day .Over night rides I ask
does your moto have (Many. tools spares; large gas tank ect.) The answer from the locals why do we need that.  I kindly tell them next time please. One rider ruining it for all.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3687
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
Member Is Offline
Mood: muy amable
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There is always one
More than 20 annual treks, with a wide variety of guys who have been in the various groups.
As many as 16, as few as 4 (4 is a pretty good number, actually)
Even though they are all friends, long time mostly, there is always one guy that never quite gets with the program.
He is the one that grabs a book and a beer while the rest of us set up camp
The one that has an urgent mission after dinner when dishes need to be done.
The one that is always headed back into the gas station for "something" while everyone is gassed and ready.
We have one, in particular.
Guess who left his hand in the door when our leader closed it?
Yep, took the tip right off.
He once somehow led the pack coming out of a Bakersfield gas stop as we were headed south, and turned right (North) on 99.
He is the guy that refuses to pass anyone between Camalu and Los Pinos. Even tractors and bicycles, just trudges along.
Great guy,
but always there is one....
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5809
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Online
Mood: Retireded
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There are only two of us in my group. I am sure my dog thinks that I am "the one" that just can't get it together, but she doesn't complain! 
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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| Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner | More than 20 annual treks, with a wide variety of guys who have been in the various groups.
As many as 16, as few as 4 (4 is a pretty good number, actually)
Even though they are all friends, long time mostly, there is always one guy that never quite gets with the program.
He is the one that grabs a book and a beer while the rest of us set up camp
The one that has an urgent mission after dinner when dishes need to be done.
The one that is always headed back into the gas station for "something" while everyone is gassed and ready.
We have one, in particular.
Guess who left his hand in the door when our leader closed it?
Yep, took the tip right off.
He once somehow led the pack coming out of a Bakersfield gas stop as we were headed south, and turned right (North) on 99.
He is the guy that refuses to pass anyone between Camalu and Los Pinos. Even tractors and bicycles, just trudges along.
Great guy,
but always there is one.... |
hahaha. You are so right. Maybe not to that extreme though.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Oh my, I hate THAT guy! LOL
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17296
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Online
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner | More than 20 annual treks, with a wide variety of guys who have been in the various groups.
As many as 16, as few as 4 (4 is a pretty good number, actually)
Even though they are all friends, long time mostly, there is always one guy that never quite gets with the program.
He is the one that grabs a book and a beer while the rest of us set up camp
The one that has an urgent mission after dinner when dishes need to be done.
The one that is always headed back into the gas station for "something" while everyone is gassed and ready.
We have one, in particular.
Guess who left his hand in the door when our leader closed it?
Yep, took the tip right off.
He once somehow led the pack coming out of a Bakersfield gas stop as we were headed south, and turned right (North) on 99.
He is the guy that refuses to pass anyone between Camalu and Los Pinos. Even tractors and bicycles, just trudges along.
Great guy,
but always there is one.... |
Ken is running tour groups. If you run a tour group, or participate on a tour group, you should not be surprised to be in a tour group.
Tour provider should have contingency plans and emergency plans, and be prepared to save people’s butts — it goes with the job.
If you don’t like tour groups having a mix of people, some which may be annoying or slow or needy or whatever, then don’t go with a tour group, do
your own small trip with friends.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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When you organize and lead a 4x4 caravan, each participant must be responsible just as if they were traveling solo.
The purpose of a caravan is to see places you might otherwise not get to... safety in numbers, and all that. Having fun with like-minded off-roaders
is another bonus.
Too many in your caravan really bogs down the ability to do as much as planned. Each time you make a stop, it becomes more of an issue to get rolling
again. Around 10 vehicles is a good maximum, I think.
The power in numbers thing does mean if there is a problem with one of the vehicles (like the Ford in the 2015 Pole Line Run or Neal Johns' Tacoma's
[non-stock] rear-differential failing on the 2010 Mission Santa María trip), no one is left behind. Do make sure your vehicle is trail-worthy and
checked out, with good tires, before joining a caravan.
We have had some great Amigos de Baja/ Baja Nomad caravans from a day trip to a 10 day trip.
[Edited on 10-27-2020 by David K]
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2423
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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On a paid tour yes leader or collector of money. Tour operator has to be ready for broken people and trucks. Ken does not collect money so he has no
responsibility. I invited two other 4x4 to go on pole line run .As my back up as luck would have it the bronco broke down. Due to one China man part
so it was my responsibility to tow him out. if I remember there was a v8 powered ranger and a blazer broke down also. They where buddy's so they did
get out on there own. Correct me david if I'm wrong . Was it the ranger that dropped the whole exhaust set up? Something with the old blazer acting
up.
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