BajaNomad - Ensenada--Tecate Road

Ensenada--Tecate Road

lizard lips - 4-13-2009 at 02:34 PM

Planning to take this road to Tecate next week. Have they completed the repairs as yet or does certain parts still have that two meter drop off. Going to take a large motor home up.

DENNIS - 4-13-2009 at 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
Planning to take this road to Tecate next week. Have they completed the repairs as yet or does certain parts still have that two meter drop off. Going to take a large motor home up.

No way it could be completed now. Too extensive. Go the other way.

GOOGLE----Other Way :tumble:

Fred - 4-13-2009 at 04:22 PM

The other way is 3 more beers

David K - 4-13-2009 at 04:30 PM

Dan, Nomads who just traveled it reported it excellent with the detours paved or no big deal...

DENNIS - 4-13-2009 at 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred
The other way is 3 more beers

You have to go the other other way, Fred. It's a six pak.

We just did this

thebajarunner - 4-13-2009 at 05:32 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=38112#pid4069...

North of San Antonio de las Minas it is the same as it always was.
Seemed like a bit lighter traffic, perhaps a few more trucks
And a military checkpoint about 15 miles south of Tecate.

Bob H - 4-13-2009 at 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
Going to take a large motor home up.

How large is your motor home. We did this back in January in a cabover camper rig and I did not enjoy the southern end of my journey at all.

Also, lots of pot holes to the North end, and climbing up and down steep inclines - they are not maintaining the old road due to the reconstruction project going on. There is no way they will be finished with this for several months, maybe even a year.
Just my opinion.
Bob

DENNIS - 4-13-2009 at 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
How large is your motor home. We did this back in January in a cabover camper rig and I did not enjoy the southern end of my journey at all.

Also, lots of pot holes to the North end, and climbing up and down steep inclines - they are not maintaining the old road due to the reconstruction project going on. There is no way they will be finished with this for several months, maybe even a year.
Just my opinion.
Bob

Now Bob...Are you sure about all of this? David says it's a wonderful road and a wonderful trip. Doesn't matter that he hasn't been on it for years........he's just the resident tour guide who likes to run his mouth about that which he has no first hand information.
I'm sure, according to DK's analysis, you were just having a bad day and didn't realize how smooth the sailing was.

Neal Johns - 4-13-2009 at 09:57 PM

I was over it in my cabover poptop Tacoma two weeks ago and it was fine. The road is twisty and some of the hills are steep but the eight miles of construction was not very slow. A pleasant surprise.

David K - 4-13-2009 at 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Dennis, read carefully: I didn't say anything more than OTHER NOMADS REPORTED IT WAS NO PROBLEMA... and Neal Johns just confirmed that... and nobody knows roads better than him as a test driver for Henry Ford's new Model T... When was that Neal? :lol:

fishingmako - 4-13-2009 at 10:02 PM

For some reason It seems to be good going to Tecate from Ensenada, It seems coming the other way from Tecate to Ensenada is the problem? at least it was a month ago.
I wanted to know myself as I'm leaving from San Diego to Ensenada on Thursday this week and wanted to know if going thru Tijuana right now is still a problem? with the police stopping you on the U.S. side and checking all? or would it be better to go thru Tecate and take the toll over and drop down to the other toll road at Blvd 2000 and head South? or is it ok from Tecate to Ensenada now? I just want to avoid the Bull S--- at San Ysidro.

Could some one who has taken either one of these ways in the past couple of days give us all a heads up. I'm sure a lot of people would like to be informed.
Thanks all.

DENNIS - 4-13-2009 at 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Dan, Nomads who just traveled it reported it excellent with the detours paved or no big deal...

That's an approval rateing if ever I saw one, David. It sends people down a bad road as many take your reports as accurate.
The road isn't impasasable and it isn't torn to crap but, it isn't good.
Personally, I don't care who beats hell out of their vehicle on the road. Have a nice trip.

DianaT - 4-13-2009 at 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neal Johns
I was over it in my cabover poptop Tacoma two weeks ago and it was fine. The road is twisty and some of the hills are steep but the eight miles of construction was not very slow. A pleasant surprise.

Would you have felt the same way in a large motorhome? Are those awful drop-offs where there is road construction gone?

Neal Johns - 4-13-2009 at 10:23 PM

Never driven or ridden in a motorhome, but there were no dropoffs when I went north.

thebajarunner - 4-13-2009 at 10:26 PM

Seems from these posts like we are now comparing all paved roads in Baja to the Autobahn in Germany....

I was down the TJ-Ensenada Cuoata three weeks ago- absolutely no hassles at the border, or anywhere else.

I was up the road to Tecate ten days ago.
The construction was not a problem, we were on pavement at all times.
The road further north has some long grades northbound, but I think, by the laws of physics, etc., that those are mostly downhill southbound, but then I may be mistaken.

If this is a bad road, by Baja standards, then I guess 38 years of driving in Baja have made me lose perspective on good/bad.

I say it is just fine.
my story, stickin' with it.

DENNIS - 4-13-2009 at 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neal Johns
Never driven or ridden in a motorhome, but there were no dropoffs when I went north.

No four foot verticle drop-offs on the side of the north bound lane, three miles up the road from HWY 1 ? They must have filled them with what's going to be the new lanes in the road widening project. That's what they were, or are, all about.
Does there appear to be a new and wider road anywhere in the area? It's difficult to see all these things and make assumptions when your eyes are glued to the road surface in front of you.
You guys have pictures of everything else in Baja. How about this? It's history in the making.

redhilltown - 4-13-2009 at 11:23 PM

I agree as to a few days ago no problems on the road...sometimes you have to wait for the flag guys but no major delays or "drop offs". As a newbie here, I just gotta ask: What is Dennis growing in Punta Banda and is it it compatible with a good Anejo?

DianaT - 4-14-2009 at 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redhilltown
I agree as to a few days ago no problems on the road...sometimes you have to wait for the flag guys but no major delays or "drop offs". As a newbie here, I just gotta ask: What is Dennis growing in Punta Banda and is it it compatible with a good Anejo?

Gees, what Dennis is talking about is EXACTLY what it was like on the first part of that road a little over a month ago.

When they started the construction, they cut along side of the road which left very deep straight drop-offs.

An no Dennis, I did not take any pictures---I was too busy holding on the idiot bar hoping we didn't drop a wheel.

Evidently they have completed A LOT more of the work and the drop-offs are no longer there.

And even when it was in bad shape, we thought it was still the way to go---but we do not drive a motorhome--and when we came back a couple of weeks ago, we returned through San Ysidro for a change.

So, while more current information is very valuable, anyone talking about what it was like a little over one month ago, are not expecting high-speed highways and are not guilty of knowing nothing about "real" Baja roads, and they are not seeing things. :fire:

BTW, Lizard Lips, if you do cross at San Ysidro, stay to the left which are the only lanes for Motorhomes. You cannot see the sign directling you to those lanes untill you are already committed.

Diane

[Edited on 4-14-2009 by jdtrotter]

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by redhilltown
As a newbie here, I just gotta ask: What is Dennis growing in Punta Banda and is it it compatible with a good Anejo?

Why? Do you think I'm imagining things? I was a steady customer on the road 'till five or six weeks ago when I decided to take the alternate route because of the construction and deferred maintenance. It's a work in progress on Mexican time and I'd be surprised to hear that these conditions have been brought back to level in that short period of time.
I'll take the road Thursday and give an up-to-date report.

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
BTW, Lizard Lips, if you do cross at San Ysidro, stay to the left which are the only lanes for Motorhomes. You cannot see the sign directling you to those lanes untill you are already committed.

Thanks Diane. We're posting all over each other.

Your advice to Dan up there....That's for north bound traffic...correct?

DianaT - 4-14-2009 at 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Thanks Diane. We're posting all over each other.

Your advice to Dan up there....That's for north bound traffic...correct?

Opps, you are correct and he did say he was bringing it down. And down, of course, means south, unless one looks at a map made in the Southern Hemisphere---then down is North, and the Nile flows down after all. :lol:

Sorry, off topic.

Diane

[Edited on 4-14-2009 by jdtrotter]

thebajarunner - 4-14-2009 at 08:09 AM

Those "four foot dropoffs" are actually the phase of road building that has escaped Baja builders for years.
To make a good road surface you need to cut down about 12-24 inches (no folks, it is not four feet!!!) and then refill with base aggregate before you pave.
That is what you are seeing.
Generally you don't experience that in the U.S. because they either keep you off the road during construction, or they keep at least a full lane separation from the drop off.
Open your eyes (Abreojos) in the U.S.
that is standard for construction

and, amazingly, it is a good thing to see in Baja.

Pompano - 4-14-2009 at 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Neal Johns
Never driven or ridden in a motorhome, but there were no dropoffs when I went north.

You guys have pictures of everything else in Baja. How about this? It's history in the making.

Always glad to oblige. Some road-making history for you, Dennis. Will have some more up-to-date photos when my camera replacement arrives and we make return trip through Tecate.
.

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
To make a good road surface you need to cut down about 12-24 inches (no folks, it is not four feet!!!) and then refill with base aggregate before you pave.

Thanks, Runner....It's good to know what they're supposed to be doing and how they're supposed to be doing it but, it was four feet. I stopped and looked at it, dismayed by the danger aspect of it all. No cones....no barriers...no nada. Just a four foot vertical drop-off at the edge of the road for a hundred yards or better.
I see very well and I know what I saw.

Pompano - 4-14-2009 at 08:25 AM

Dennis, you were not hallucinating...I saw a vertical drop of that much, too..and was also wondering why no barricades or ? Another thing that kind of spooked me was a large backhoe swinging it's engine housing into traffic with no flagman present. If that scene were in the US, the lawyers driving by would start salivating...like Pavlov's dogs at the bell.

thebajarunner - 4-14-2009 at 08:26 AM

Wasn't there, so could not argue with you Dennis.
What I saw, going up the hill, was cut about 18 inches.
I was trying to get a good guess on just how well they were doing it.
We call that "cut and fill"
Also, just for the record, they are actually paving in two lifts.
That, in layman's language, means they make a first pass of paving a couple of inches, then a second paving of about the same.
Well, that is what it should be, not sure they are giving that much asphalt, but at least it is a two lift process.

So much of Baja is just "roll out the dirt and slap down a single layer of paving" and that is why you get potholes.

David K - 4-14-2009 at 08:26 AM

Come on, give the Mexican road crews some credit! The 4 ft. drop off are not forever... We drove the road in question last January and the detour was not a problem... I sure didn't expect it to stay dirt forever... Like I said, Nomads who RECENTLY drove it said it was fine/ good/ whatever... BUT, when you drive it... it may be different... any road may be different tomorrow from today!

Have a nice day! :saint:

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:26 AM

Thanks Roger...You're going to take over as "instant photo reference expert" from DK with responses like this.
Sorry about your camera loss but, everything happens for a reason. Maybe you're supposed to have one of those Canon EOS 5D, Mark 2 models with a big bag of lenses. You owe it to yourself.

Thanks again.

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
So much of Baja is just "roll out the dirt and slap down a single layer of paving" and that is why you get potholes.

Couldn't agree more, Runner. Success lies in the preparation which, in Mexico, is always loaded with mystery. They've come a long way in the last decade with better equipment and technique but, Mexico has a way of putting her personal touch on most everything.
Thanks.

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Have a nice day! :saint:

You too, David.

vandenberg - 4-14-2009 at 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
So much of Baja is just "roll out the dirt and slap down a single layer of paving" and that is why you get potholes.

Wouldn't get potholed if the bloody traffic would just stay off of it. :no:

DENNIS - 4-14-2009 at 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Wouldn't get potholed if the bloody traffic would just stay off of it. :no:

Very true, Ed. Tecate brewery should be paying for this road. They have most of the trucks out there.

Bob H - 4-14-2009 at 09:33 AM

Drop offs... no drop offs... don't care (but they were there). I would not take a large motor home through that construction zone. It was bad enough in my cabover camper. I've been driving Baja roads long enough. Don't do it.
Bob H

[Edited on 4-14-2009 by Bob H]

Ensenada - Tecate

Mulegena - 4-14-2009 at 09:53 AM

This stretch of highway is kinda gnarly but safe enough even for larger vehicles, in my opinion,
but remember its's your rig and I'm not driving it-- you are.

Do or don't drive this stretch, or any area in question:
Its the individual's call.

I remember 15 years ago taking m 18-foot RV down that stretch from San Felipe past Coco's Corner and over to Hwy. 1. Everyone I asked said I could not do it in an RV as it was a 4-wheel drive road only. Well, I did it easily enough and have exquisite memories for the effort. It was a deliciously slow trip of isolation and beauty. How many can say they have ever stopped in the middle of the road, climbed on top of their RV to view the wildflowers in panorama? On the other hand, how many can say they've unsuccessfully cleaned dried oatmeal flakes imbedded in every edge of carpet because twice everything came flying out of the cabinets that flew open on some extra-heavy fannywhumps? For me, all part of the adventure that is Baja!

Phil S - 4-14-2009 at 10:35 AM

Dennis. I just got on this thread, but I see that you are still "In Love" with David K. Your only mad at him because, "he turned you down"!!!!!!
I can't believe Dennis that your h.o. for David can continue for so long!!!!
Get a life!!!!! If this is how you deal with what consumes your life, I feel very sorry for you. Learn to love, not hate. It makes life so much easier. (from someone who used to be like that) But I was finally able to 'get ahold of it". I would hope you could do the same. I'm sure, though we've never met, that you do have some positive attributes regarding 'who you are'

[Edited on 4-14-2009 by Phil S]

lizard lips - 4-14-2009 at 10:47 AM

Actually I am asking this question for my parents who have a 30' MH and they like to cross at Tecate especially with such a large rig.

Last time they took it up on that road they experienced some mechanical problems and had to pull over to the side, and with the help of my brother in law who owns a tow company here in Ensenada, they were in good shape after some repairs. They broke down at the area where the construction was going on.

Thank you all for your answers and if there are more updates throughout the week, please let me know.

David K - 4-16-2009 at 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Have a nice day! :saint:

You too, David.

Gracias!

Phil S. : Thanks, but Dennis and I can work out any issues, I think... How about some more trip reports or photos, people?

Phil S - 4-18-2009 at 09:46 AM

I doubt that David. He's been a 'lost sole' almost since I started on this Forum. Dennis's bashing David, has gone on for years!!!!!! I don't think he will ever "change his colors". What a shame, because everyone has something good in them, and I'm hoping that David does have that quality. Otherwise, why would he even care about Baja????? But this has been going on too long. I know I jump in every time I see him do it, and can't help myself. Many long years ago, I was like that, and I did get a handle on it, and was able to "get over it". It's all in his hands you know. Not your job to "change is mind about you"!! He has to realize that it is a personality 'quirk' that makes him do it. Maybe a "father" image thing from his childhood. I pray not!!!

[Edited on 4-21-2009 by Phil S]

DENNIS - 4-18-2009 at 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil S
I know I jump in every time I see him do it, and can't help myself.

It's probably because you're an Obsessive Compulsive jerk. Lay off me and go take some spelling lessons.

Phil S - 4-18-2009 at 09:34 PM

Dennis. Only if you agree to be my teacher!!!! And don't forget that it "takes a jerk to know a jerk".

lizard lips - 4-19-2009 at 09:26 AM

Just talked to my Mom who is in line right now at the Tecate crossing in their motor home.

They left Punta Banda at 6:15 and the construction in San Antonio was a little confusing with lanes at the construction area not marked correctly but all in all it wasn't bad. The military check point prior to reaching Tecate stopped them and they went through the inside but my Mom said she felt the solider seemed a little embarrassed and was very polite.

After the checkpoint the north bound lane had several pot holes but the southbound lane was good.

They have been in line for 20 minutes with 20 cars in front and about 50 behind. Three hours is a great time from PB to cross in that monster.

They will be gone for three months traveling back to New York, Ontario Canada, and all points between.

Both of my parents have lived in Punta Banda for 35 years (retired early) and they say this will be the last trip in the motor home for them. I hope they have a problem free trip and come back safe and sound!

Thank you all for your reports!

DENNIS - 4-19-2009 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lizard lips
I hope they have a problem free trip and come back safe and sound!

Thanks Dan. We all wish for them a safe trip.

David K - 4-19-2009 at 10:39 AM

Ditto to what Dennis said, Dan!

DENNIS - 4-19-2009 at 11:20 AM

David...When you get to 20,000, you have to buy the beer. It's like getting a hole-in-one.

David K - 4-19-2009 at 11:28 AM

Okay Dennis... it's a deal, but you need to drive up to Oceanside and the beer is here! XX Lager Especial, on tap...

(I wasn't sure what you were talking about with the 20,000 number... then I saw that was my 18,000th post on Nomad) :light:

Fred - 4-19-2009 at 06:59 PM

Hey guys is Phil S invited ot can I stop by also?????????????????????????