BajaNomad - ...And How Fast Do You Drive Mex 1?

...And How Fast Do You Drive Mex 1?

DavidE - 6-12-2012 at 11:45 AM

...south of San Quintín?

...near cataviña?

...north and south of Guerrero Negro?

...Between Mulegé and Loreto?

...South of Ciudad Constitucion?

Seems like most folks I ask drive a lot faster than I do.

[Edited on 6-12-2012 by DavidE]

DENNIS - 6-12-2012 at 11:48 AM

60 when the road is clear.
80 when there's bicycle riders on the road.
:lol:

Lauriboats - 6-12-2012 at 11:51 AM

Between 60 and 70 much slower than most of our friends.

Terry28 - 6-12-2012 at 12:02 PM

Not so fast that I spill my pacifico!!!

edm1 - 6-12-2012 at 12:44 PM

Speed limit in kph, minus 10 at curvas peligrosa and when beside 18 wheelers.
No desire to hurry.

[Edited on 6-12-2012 by edm1]

Ateo - 6-12-2012 at 12:45 PM

80 kph. Or mph? Can't remember.

paranewbi - 6-12-2012 at 12:58 PM

Accelerate up till my wife white knuckles the dash! Then drop it back a click or two.

Never have touched the gas pedal down hell grade going into SR.

durrelllrobert - 6-12-2012 at 01:52 PM

15 hrs non-stop from Loreto to Punta Banda pulling a 24 foot boat.

thebajarunner - 6-12-2012 at 01:52 PM

I drive as fast as the road will handle it.
In towns, I drive about 25 mph, and keep my radar detector on
(I seriously doubt if the radars they use are even working, just have some phony number locked into the screen- oh well)
And, in congested areas like San Quintin I try to keep it down when there are pedestrian, because they tend to do dumb things.

But, I seems to pass an incredible number of vehicles, and some days I never do get passed- guess that is a more honest answer.

But I do not take chances- NEVER!!

First year the highway was paved we set our record

thebajarunner - 6-12-2012 at 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
15 hrs non-stop from Loreto to Punta Banda pulling a 24 foot boat.

After a pre-run for the 1000, it was either 1973 or 74- first year the road was pretty much finished- some long graded stretches, but still fast.

We left Los Arcos breakfast table in La Paz at 9:00 a.m.
Home in Modesto (475 miles north of the border) at 8:00 a.m the next morning. 24 hours on the nose (Time zone adjusted)

That was before the 55 mph days in the US and also not much traffic on the Carreterra.

Drove lots of stretches at 100 mph, 85-90 all the way up through California- LA in the wee morning hours helped.

Barry A. - 6-12-2012 at 02:19 PM

45 to 60 outside of towns, rain or shine, depending on the area and traffic.

Barry

Mula - 6-12-2012 at 02:23 PM

In the '70's - LA to MZT 20 - 24 hours straight through.

comitan - 6-12-2012 at 02:28 PM

Toooo fast, but I keep saying I'm going to slow down...

sancho - 6-12-2012 at 03:11 PM

In the 80's, AAA had a rather simple book, distances,
etc. in Baja, they now have something similiar full
of ads. They had time between towns, I would be
right on their times, 45 mi covered in an hour,
so mph maybe a little faster. I grew up driving
VW vans, so my times are way slower than the
current drivers

SFandH - 6-12-2012 at 03:19 PM

I like to keep it under 2000..........RPMs.

Throughout the day I average 45 MPH, including pit stops.

woody with a view - 6-12-2012 at 03:59 PM

as fast as i need to go to get where i'm aiming at, in one piece, and with the most fuel left in the tank......

oxxo - 6-12-2012 at 04:19 PM

We average 55mph from border to CSL. So that means about 25 mph through towns and 70mph on open highway and 55 mph in the hills.

Udo - 6-12-2012 at 04:37 PM

I'm with oxxo on this one.

But on the off-roads, with lowered air pressure, it's about 60 MPH...at least according to my GPS.

DENNIS - 6-12-2012 at 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
It's totally schedule dependent... it can be quite variable.

If you have schedules in Baja, you're in the wrong place. :biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 6-12-2012 at 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
I like to keep it under 2000..........RPMs.

Throughout the day I average 45 MPH, including pit stops.

It's the pit stops that will ruin it. Although the occasional stop is really very good to prevent fatigue, just seems to me that those among us who enjoy mucho cervezas as they drive are prone to make mucho stops.

In my experience, the road provides a certain amount of unavoidable limits on the average speed.

Obviously, the mountains, with their steep grades and sharp curves do much to slow the overall progress. But, so many of the urban areas contribute to that as well.

With a few exceptions, in my experience, one cannot really speed until they are South of El Rosario. Even then, the curves, the grades, the trucks and the buses moderate ones progress.

That said, there are certainly many miles of very flat and straight highway where it just seems absolutely crazy to be observing the posted speed limit. Geez. The ruta vino road North of Ensenada has posted limits as high as 110 kph. So just what justifies a posted speed limit of 60kph on straight flat roads out in the middle of nowhere?

edm1 - 6-12-2012 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

. . . So just what justifies a posted speed limit of 60kph on straight flat roads out in the middle of nowhere?

I don't think there are MANY 60kph straight flat roads. They are 60 or 50 or 45 because of curvas or vados or steep grades. But on the straight aways in the middle of nowhere, the reasons for staying within the speed limits include, but not limited to, being able to enjoy the scenery, better mpg, being able to have a snack while lazy driving allowing the wife to walk around/inside the motorhome, less stress, less possibility of sudden surprises, speeding ticket, etc. Also, I'm one of those who can't conduct a proper conversation while driving fast. Of course, I only drive the Baja roads as a tourist on vacation.

David K - 6-12-2012 at 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner

After a pre-run for the 1000, it was either 1973 or 74- first year the road was pretty much finished- some long graded stretches, but still fast.

We left Los Arcos breakfast table in La Paz at 9:00 a.m.
Home in Modesto (475 miles north of the border) at 8:00 a.m the next morning. 24 hours on the nose (Time zone adjusted)

It would have been the Nov., 1973 Baja Mil/ 1000 (Baja Sports Committee)... The highway paving was completed that month in time for the Dec. 1, 1973 official opening at the 28º Parallel (Eagle Monument).

There was no 1000 race in 1974 (the only year there wasn't one, since 1967).

SCORE took over Baja racing in July, 1974 with their 'Baja Internacional'.

Mickey Thompson said they did not have enough time to put together a 1000 that year. The first SCORE Baja 1000 was in 1975, and for the first time it was a loop race starting and ending in Ensenada. The furthest south point was south of Punta Prieta, after running down the Seven Sisters road for the first time (except Class 6, 7, 11 which felt the silt beds were not passable, so they ran Hwy. 1 from El Arenoso to El Crucero).

1976, 77, 78 were also loop races, in the north, and closer to 1000 kilometers in length. 1979 was the first SCORE 1000 to go to La Paz!

[Edited on 6-13-2012 by David K]

acadist - 6-12-2012 at 06:37 PM

Some say too fast, but.....always go as fast as it feels safe and I try to keep the vehicle in good order. Some stretches topped at 90+ last week. The old truck with the V8 could get up around 100. That road to Asuncion though, a donkey might br too fast.

chuckie - 6-12-2012 at 06:50 PM

Whats the hurry? Seems like all the California people are in a hurry to get in and get out...Dont get it...What Dennis said...

Marc - 6-12-2012 at 06:50 PM

Driving my Tundra 90 0r 100 (Nevada) is routine. The Nevada HP just blinks me to slow down. I pass on I 5 in California at 120 in the Porsche (that's just a little goose on the pedal in 5th gear).
In Baja I drive slooow. Saw a head on once , Don't like to pass. To many drunks. No hurry.

[Edited on 6-14-2012 by Marc]

vacaenbaja - 6-12-2012 at 06:55 PM

When driving my main concern is not to over run my stopping ability;at night
not to over run my headlights no matter how straight a section of road.
Even in daylight hours when driving those tempting straight aways remember that the road is usually hyper elevated. So that if you were to
blow a tire and loose control you just may roll your car at speed if you fall
off the edge of the elevated roadbed. The section of road from G. Negro
to San Ignacio is quite notorious for bad accidents. A lot of people arrive at this point fatigued or going way too fast. I am always careful on that bad
section around El Tomatal. 55mph to 65 on the straights is plenty fast for me.

acadist - 6-12-2012 at 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
Whats the hurry? Seems like all the California people are in a hurry to get in and get out...Dont get it...What Dennis said...

What's the hurry? Limited vacation time, from COLORADO not CA. It takes me more than 1000 miles before I am even in Baja. If I had unlimited time I would drive 100-200 miles a day, and some days not at all. Someday that will happen for me too, but for now I gotta make a buck which severly limits my Baja time.

chuckie - 6-12-2012 at 11:05 PM

Here and I thought we were talking about Mex 1. Not Colorado or Nevada..Part of the titles for these threads must be getting lost before it gets to Baja...Dang...Must be the potholes...

DENNIS - 6-13-2012 at 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
Dont get it...What Dennis said...

It was....I guess....an inside joke with a reference to a long thread about the dangers of bicycle riders on HWY 1. It predates your participation here, Chuckie, but I'm sure it will resurface one of these days as most topics on Nomad have a cyclical life [no pun intended].......here today....gone tomorrow only to return a while later.
Stay tuned.

SFandH - 6-13-2012 at 06:27 AM

I slow down when passing bicyclists. That way I just need to readjust my passenger side mirror instead of replacing it.

Just kidding, bikers. I'm OK with you guys being on the road, now. At first it made me angry.

BTW, my top speed is 60 mph. Easier on me and the truck.

[Edited on 6-13-2012 by SFandH]

LancairDriver - 6-13-2012 at 07:41 AM

Think you drive fast? Make way Wimps! This guy needs a ride in the Baja 1000.

Motorcyclist nabbed doing 193 mph on NY highway

Published May 31, 2012

Associated Press

ROSENDALE, N.Y. – Authorities say a 28-year-old man in upstate New York has been charged with driving his motorcycle at nearly 200 mph on a highway in the rain.

State police say a trooper clocked Anthony Anderson of Poughkeepsie driving at 193 mph around 8 p.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 87 just south of Albany -- the same stretch of road where another motorcyclist was spotted doing 166 mph earlier this month.

The trooper was able to get a description of the high-performance bike and alerted nearby patrols.

Troopers eventually stopped Anderson in the town of Rosendale. He told them he was headed to a hospital to visit a patient.

Anderson was issued 14 traffic tickets, including one for speeding.

It couldn't be immediately determined if he had a lawyer.

Bugman - 6-13-2012 at 09:35 AM

Whatever it says in kph I do in mph. And to the question somebody posed about why the put such ridiculously low speeds on seemingly straight roads? Have you seed some of the cars on the road down there! They would disintegrate if they ever hit 60mph! :biggrin:

surfdoc - 6-13-2012 at 04:06 PM

Yes

Fishmagician - 6-13-2012 at 04:15 PM

This thread has brought new light to my Los Brailles trip next year. I need not fear the bug trucks and buses. It's the Pacifico filled, lead footed gringos that are most dangerous. :yes:

DavidE - 6-13-2012 at 04:19 PM

Drive fast at night in the fog with the lights off
That way no one will see you and you'll get there faster

David K - 6-13-2012 at 04:20 PM

As fast as it is safe (for me)... and still can enjoy the finest peninsula on earth where the boojum grows wild!

LOS BARRILES in 3 days is driving as fast as I would ever want... 4 days would be better. But, without Jimmy Smith there, I don't have any reason to go!

chuckie - 6-13-2012 at 06:05 PM

Acadist, If you live in Parker its same as California. We owned a small ranch right behind Ponderosa Hills, and a small ranch near Palmer lake. We sold it all out when all the Subdivisions and shopping centers started to sprout out of the ground, hoping to get clear before it got Californicated. It used to be a nice place..But then Colorado used to be a nice state....

msawin - 6-13-2012 at 10:10 PM

Got home Sunday Pm.

2nd trip 2012 via auto. My reply is the same as OXXO. 700 miles to Loreto and 50 miles per hour is the average for the 14 hour drive. 75 per hour in spots and 25-30 in those that need it. I am not one that drives fast.

Now lets talk about Tecate and those great UNION United States Emigration employees .. what a bunch of Great Representatives of the USA.. Lets save America...

So.. After 1 hour of waiting inline to get across to the great USA, you are pulled inline with about 10-12 cars. Stopped and Instructed to get out of your car and "STAND' here. " I said Here"... In this line with the other captives. And watch the 5 million dollar scan Mobil drive past the line of "Captive Autos", and look for the evils that will down the great country of the United States of America.

What a disgust for this country.

The young Hispanic children where laughing. I was using words that I will not post.....Bastards.

David K - 6-13-2012 at 11:06 PM

I have had the drive over scanner do my truck and a few others, at Mexicali East, many years ago... What was the big deal and why did that bother you (other than the delay at driving home)?

chuckie - 6-14-2012 at 05:03 AM

It really pays to take your time. I Have been driving it several times a year for over 30 years. Fewer now thank goodness since we are now full time in MUlege. I have seen so many bizarre things, and so many deaths. True, the road is better now, but the same bad drivers are doing the same things. :no:

805gregg - 6-14-2012 at 09:17 AM

I follow the fastist driver that passes me about 75 yards back, he gets the ticket I slow down.

Marc - 6-14-2012 at 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by msawin
Got home Sunday Pm.

2nd trip 2012 via auto. My reply is the same as OXXO. 700 miles to Loreto and 50 miles per hour is the average for the 14 hour drive. 75 per hour in spots and 25-30 in those that need it. I am not one that drives fast.

Now lets talk about Tecate and those great UNION United States Emigration employees .. what a bunch of Great Representatives of the USA.. Lets save America...

So.. After 1 hour of waiting inline to get across to the great USA, you are pulled inline with about 10-12 cars. Stopped and Instructed to get out of your car and "STAND' here. " I said Here"... In this line with the other captives. And watch the 5 million dollar scan Mobil drive past the line of "Captive Autos", and look for the evils that will down the great country of the United States of America.

What a disgust for this country.

The young Hispanic children where laughing. I was using words that I will not post.....Bastards.

The Tecate guys (USA) are a**h**les

Bajatripper - 6-14-2012 at 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
I slow down when passing bicyclists. That way I just need to readjust my passenger side mirror instead of replacing it.

That's a damn good one...and I've peddled a bike down the peninsula :lol:

freediverbrian - 6-14-2012 at 08:25 PM

Left Orange county 3:00 pm to arive San Nicolas 7:00 am in 1992 the drive takes me two days now

bajachris - 6-14-2012 at 09:39 PM

I too find someone faster than me to clear the cows, and move the trucks and buses to one side and then I drive behind them. If someone is in a hurry, just let them pass. I slow to about 55 when a truck or bus is coming the other direction. Go slow through towns. Always watch for policia. If you're in a hurry just get behind a bus.

vgabndo - 6-14-2012 at 10:24 PM

We pulled up to the old Tecate return lane, all was going well. Two women were "manning" the booth. I was pulling my 3/4 ton pick-up bed trailer with the 4 shocks, torsion bar, 3500 # axle with brakes, 16" ten ply tires and mean looking. "Good lookin' trailer you got there" she says. "Bombproof" I bragged. "Secondary", she said. "Sh*t", I said.

First time they ever told me to get anything alive out of the vehicle. It must be a powerful beam that thing shoots.

Driving speed...conservative but fast paced. The camper is 8 feet wide. I slow drastically for some types and appearances of on-coming traffic. There don't seem to be as many "crabbing" semi trucks as there used to be when there were still those concrete culvert headers right along side the pavement south of the 28th. Cathy calls them "sideways trucks" and they don't leave much room even with their right rears kicking up dust!

[Edited on 6-15-2012 by vgabndo]