PJC - 11-20-2005 at 01:52 PM
CLICK: http://www.baja.net/photobb/showgallery.php?cat=584&thum...
We had a great time at the races!
* Did a fun run from RM165-267. Man that course is super rough. Worse than I have ever seen it. Must be all the local races.
* We stayed at Play de Laura. Ran into Corky!
* Had a few cold ones at the Miramar.
* Saw the lead bikes through RM250 then went down to the Sulfur Mines at 267 'till about 2000hrs.
* 1070 miles round trip! Too damn far!
All good. No injuries, no issues, no regrets!
[Edited on 11-22-2005 by Baja Blackie]
Great Photos, but-------------
Barry A. - 11-21-2005 at 02:27 PM
did any of you notice the incredible "whoops" that were forming?????
At the risk of sounding really grouchy, I am NOT looking forward to having to travel some of those stand-alone access roads that were part of the
race course. The locals must really love driving those roads. My truck does not like those "whoops"!!!!! in fact, it tries to self destruct, and I
have spend several thousand dollars (litterally) repairing the damage done in years past on those race-track "whoops". Sure wish the race
sponsers/promoters could do something about that, after the race.
PJC - 11-22-2005 at 03:55 PM
What????
The whoops I saw are on well used race course. That's how they got there. You know, via those races that the locals of Baja appreciate a lot more than
they have angst for bad roads. Regardless, I don't think too many savy locals use those routes. And if they do, it's at "5mph, no hurry speed" as
usual.
But, yes, the whoops from north of Borrego through the Sulfur mines were bigger than I have ever seen them.
[Edited on 11-22-2005 by Baja Blackie]
BB------on exclusively race courses, no problem------
Barry A. - 11-22-2005 at 05:17 PM
my problem is in the Matomi/Valle Chico/Parral canyon area, which I love, and frequent often. The road between Matomi Wash and Carricitos in Valle
Chico (which is the only one) is a mess. The Parral Canyon road between the El Apache surfur mine and the Valle Chico road is really a mess. The road
in Matomi Wash itself is also a mess. You cannot really access the south end of Valle Chico, or Matomi Wash, without using the race courses.
I certainly realize that the "races" are neat, and bring in lots of dinero for the N. Baja area, and I am in no way against them. I was just wondering
if there could be a little rehab work on the roads that are stand-alone access roads to some of the most beautiful parts of inland Baja. If it is
just impractical to do this, then I understand. I am just inquiring.
Thanks for your response.
BajaBlackie, and other interested folks------
Barry A. - 11-22-2005 at 11:21 PM
read the post here in NOMADS that was just posted by JOHN titled "Pole line Road" for more info on the public using race courses----------I think you
will find it interesting.
TMW - 11-23-2005 at 08:07 AM
Barry there is no question that a race will mess up a road as the people coming out from the summit found out. They've been running over the summit
for years. CODE has used it almost every year. However it has been 4 years since Score ran it. To Scores credit, at the bottom of the summit they ran
the wash out, not the road which is only a mile or so from the bottom. They did get back on the road at the cattle guard before Cohabuso jct. After a
rain or two in a few months you'd nerver know a race went thru there. When races are run over and over on the same terrain then you'll get whoops like
south of San Felipe on the old Puertecitos rd. If the road is not a normal route for the locals, probably nobody will do anything to fix it, if it is
then it needs grading. Who will do it, I don't know.
burro bob - 11-23-2005 at 09:58 AM
The Ejido Plan National Agrario gets money from the government to maintain some of those roads, east valley road in valley chico and old puertocitos
road to the pump stations are two of them. Many of the roads that are raced on are not used by the locals for access.
I have seen road maintainers out at morelia junction grading out the ruts in the turn onto east valley road several times. Unfortunately they often do
their road maintenance only several weeks before another race comes through.
Also the Ejido gets some money from the race promoters. Then they decide how to use it. Sometimes they fix roads, sometimes they have parties. I am
not 100% sure but I believe the promoters also are paying a fee to the government as well for road maintenance.
I don't hear too many complaints from the locals about the condition of the road. Big sections of east valley road were completly washed away several
months ago in a rain storm. It did a whole lot more damage than the races.
burro bob
Thanks, guys----------
Barry A. - 11-23-2005 at 10:27 AM
I appreciate your answers, and understand. I just wanted to bring the subject up to see if I was the only one concerned------and it mostly looks like
I am pretty much alone-----I realize that this issue is a relative one, and there is probably much more "good" that comes from the races, than "bad".
Thanks again for the answers.
TMW - 11-23-2005 at 12:24 PM
Barry your not completely alone. I would like to see the races run in different sections to give the just used areas a chance to recover. I must admit
I don't know the dealings that the promoters have to go thru and they may be limited in what they have to run on. For San Felipe it would be better to
run one year up north then the next year down south in my opinion. As long as the locals don't complain, I doubt it will change.