BajaNews - 9-21-2006 at 12:27 PM
http://www.competitor.com/article/?Guid=07e8f389-a217-44bb-a...
Thousands of cyclists from Southern California and Northern Baja California are heading to Rosarito Beach to ride behind a pack of elites who are
expected to set a new course record at the Rosarito Ensenada 50 Mile Fun Bicycle Ride on September 30, 2006.
Rosarito Ensenada attracts 7,500 recreational riders in April and September of each year, but event organizers have recently had a dramatic increase
in professionals and elites who want to race. "An elite start has been added, which allows the fastest riders to start first," said Gary Foster of
San Diego's Bicycling West, Inc. "It's made the event safer and more fun for everyone." So while a cult following of recreational riders cruise
their 50 miles south along the Pacific Coast in what they call 'The Original Party on Wheels,' the elites will break away to beat the official record
of 2:13:20.
Celebrating its 27th anniversary, Rosarito Ensenada is the Southwestern U.S. / Baja California region's largest and longest-running public cycling
event. The event won reader polls again in 2005 as the region's 'Best Cycling Event' and shared an award for 'Best International Cycling Event' with
Le Tour de France and Il Giro d'Italia.
The event starts at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel and continues 50 miles south on Highway 1 to Ensenada. It features a self-seeded
elite start, aid stations with purified water and Powerade, U.S. medical support, sag support, bike repair, traffic control, and a Finish Line Fiesta
with live music on the Ensenada waterfront. This year's Finish Line Fiesta will be hosted by Corona Beer and held at a new location in Ensenada: on
Blvd. Costero at Plaza Ventana al Mar, under the giant Mexican Flag.
Participation in the event is open to the public. United States residents can register online through September 25 for $35 or at the event on
September 30 for $40. Residents of Mexico can register at select Baja retail locations through September 29 or at the event on September 30 for $300
m.n. Rosarito Ensenada benefits Baja's children and poor families through the Red Cross and Mexico's relief agency D.I.F. The event also generates
over $10 million of tourism revenue each year for local Baja businesses.
bajabound2005 - 9-21-2006 at 12:58 PM
So, Nomads BEWARE. Don't plan on driving the Free Road or Toll Road on Sat, Sept 30, southbound between Rosarito and Ensenada. We came across this
ride a couple years ago and it took us about 5 hours to get from Rosarito to Ensenada on the Toll Road. The traffic was backed up from the Ensenada
toll booth to the Rosarito toll booth!
Cypress - 9-21-2006 at 01:18 PM
Got behind one of those bike rides, had to weave in and out of 'em for 25 or 30 miles. Never saw so many lumpy butts in very tight pants. Was
traumatized for at least a day or two.
Sure hope there is some serious security.
Hook - 9-21-2006 at 01:33 PM
If there ever was an event that a drug cartel could make a big statement against Americans, this is it.
kellychapman - 9-21-2006 at 08:08 PM
If anyone of you needs a quick medical air lift ......as there are no trauma units in this area let me know......MASA....medical air services
associations will cover you for as little as $260 in case you run into a large animial or miss a curve.....sounds terrible but happens alot in this
area....just let me know and I will set you up.....It is horrible to be in an emergency situation and pay mucho dinero when not necessary if you
should have an accident.....which statistics show they do.....especially when there are so many heading this way......Kelly
DENNIS - 9-21-2006 at 08:19 PM
Kelly ----
How could somebody get ahold of you on short notice?
bajabound2005 - 9-21-2006 at 08:34 PM
Dennis! We need to make these arrangements ahead of time! Are you planning on running into anything?
bajaguy - 9-21-2006 at 08:36 PM
Yeah......how????
BajaGeoff - 9-22-2006 at 10:34 AM
The bike ride organizers do have an emergency airlift service called Aeromedivac Air Ambulance in the event that a biker goes down and needs urgent
care. The helicopter patrols the course for the duration of the ride in case there is an emergency.
Dave - 9-23-2006 at 09:28 PM
They used to have upwards of 13,000 riders but attendance has slipped dramatically in past years. With all the recent violence reported I'll bet they
don't even get 5,000. I hope it dies. Does nothing but ruin my weekend business.