BajaNomad

Dirt bike riding around BoLA

JZ - 7-15-2011 at 03:56 PM

What's it like and what are the options.

I have three kids about 10 yo that are fairly new to riding.

David K - 7-15-2011 at 05:00 PM

North from town to La Gringa... take the road that forks left just before reacing the tidal area at La Gringa for a ride way back into the hills to the El Toro copper mine area... about 7.7 miles from La Gringa (keep to the left at the junction just north of La Gringa).

South from town is the graded road to San Francisquito/ Mision Santa Gertrudis/ Guillermo Prieto or El Arco... OFF OF IT:

Las Flores-San Juan Mine Railroad Line and TRAM LINE up Ternminal Canyon... interesting history!

The older road south (used almost only by bikers) past Los Paradones and La Bocana (San Pedro) into the TALLEST cardon cactus found in Baja (the world).

Bahia las Animas and the mystery walls that may have been part of a forgotten mission.

ALL of the above is detailed in my web pages... see link below to find these location photos...

mcfez - 7-15-2011 at 06:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
What's it like and what are the options.

I have three kids about 10 yo that are fairly new to riding.


You wish info on just dirt biking or the area inn general?

motoged - 7-15-2011 at 06:35 PM

BoLA offers a base for some of Baja's best single track and double track riding. However, unless the 10 year olds have good riding skills in soft sand, cactus, gravel roads with babyheads,..... I would not think it is a good place for them to learn....

It is a long way from the nearest hospital:saint:

I am not trying to discourage such an endeavour, but you certainly need to be prepared, as do the kids.

ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) is the rule, as well as a camelback for hydration.

JZ - 7-15-2011 at 06:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
BoLA offers a base for some of Baja's best single track and double track riding. However, unless the 10 year olds have good riding skills in soft sand, cactus, gravel roads with babyheads,..... I would not think it is a good place for them to learn....

It is a long way from the nearest hospital:saint:

I am not trying to discourage such an endeavour, but you certainly need to be prepared, as do the kids.

ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) is the rule, as well as a camelback for hydration.


Yeah, we wouldn't get too crazy.

Hook - 7-15-2011 at 09:50 PM

I would think the road to and from Bahia Las Animas should be enough adventure for some 10 year old novices. Swimming should be nice at Animas through October.

Santiago - 7-16-2011 at 07:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I would think the road to and from Bahia Las Animas should be enough adventure for some 10 year old novices. Swimming should be nice at Animas through October.


I second this - the 10 miles or so from the turn off to the bay is pretty sandy in spots but well used. Nice little estuary for the kids to goof around in.

wessongroup - 7-16-2011 at 07:50 AM

Thanks Patch.. and coming from you... I'll take it to the bank....

Having someone ya don't know pull a gun.. is a bit concerning .. even if it is an ex marine..

As don't think most would make a play like that around a family... IMHO

Glad its a short story... with a happy ending...

mtgoat666 - 7-16-2011 at 07:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
What's it like and what are the options.

I have three kids about 10 yo that are fairly new to riding.


I would not let my 10-yo ride a motorcycle or quad. Kids don't have enough maturity for motorized equipment that will snap their necks or backs in crash.
just my 2 cents.

but, if you insist, the place has lots of dirt roads, and is wide open desert, you can ride all over the place.

JZ - 7-16-2011 at 08:53 AM

Yeah, there's a risk. You need to watch them close and understand the maturity level. My kids have been driving my 30' boat since they were about 3. My 9 yo can put it in and out of gear (twins) and put it up on the beach. He rides an 11', 10hp dingy around for hours. We've been mountain biking for about 4 years and he can make it 15 miles no problem. They all know that it isn't fun to crash.

They've ridden quads, but I personally think quads are too dangerous. One thing I would never let them do and will strongly discourage later on is having a street bike.


[Edited on 7-16-2011 by JZ]

David K - 7-16-2011 at 03:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
What's it like and what are the options.

I have three kids about 10 yo that are fairly new to riding.


I would not let my 10-yo ride a motorcycle or quad. Kids don't have enough maturity for motorized equipment that will snap their necks or backs in crash.
just my 2 cents.

but, if you insist, the place has lots of dirt roads, and is wide open desert, you can ride all over the place.


So the idea of kids HUNTING with GUNS must really freak you out!! :lol:

woody with a view - 7-16-2011 at 04:18 PM

Quote:
One thing I would never let them do and will strongly discourage later on is having a street bike.


my grand parents said, "get your kid a motorcycle for their birthday and it will be the kids last birthday." when i got my YZ125 back in 1980 they were peeed. you know, motorcycles are motorcycles.....

David K - 7-16-2011 at 05:00 PM

Both Chris (13, here at La Turquesa Canyon) and Sarah shared the Kawasaki 110 trail bike I bought for them...





Getting them gear and making sure they respect the machine... How long are you going to keep kids from enjoying some of life's pleasures and the things you had growing up?



(At the onyx spring above Gonzaga Bay)

[Edited on 7-17-2011 by David K]

Packoderm - 7-16-2011 at 08:06 PM

My son when he was 7 or 8:


He's always had a level head on his shoulders. If anything was too risky, he would have no shame in saying so.

Packoderm - 7-16-2011 at 08:11 PM

Here he is without all his protective gear:


tripledigitken - 7-16-2011 at 09:27 PM

Now that's funny.

mcfez - 7-17-2011 at 06:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Packoderm
Here he is without all his protective gear:




This is one of the best kids pictures ever posted here at BN! This little guy is in wonderland.

I believe in sticking a kid on a bike too at a young age......I was on one at 8.

bigjohn - 7-17-2011 at 07:52 AM

Is he just sitting there without the bike moving? I do not see any kind of track behind him left by the tires?? Just curious. :D

[Edited on 7-17-2011 by bigjohn]

JZ - 7-17-2011 at 01:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigjohn
Is he just sitting there without the bike moving? I do not see any kind of track behind him left by the tires?? Just curious. :D

[Edited on 7-17-2011 by bigjohn]


Photoshopped? :lol:

Packoderm - 7-17-2011 at 03:59 PM

Not photoshopped. He's cruising along at about 20 mph. The sand was wet and hard packed, and the balloon tires don't seem to dig in.