BajaNomad

What's the dirt bike riding like around San Felipe and Gonzaga Bay?

JZ - 3-5-2014 at 11:27 AM

Any info? Thinking about taking my two boys down.




[Edited on 3-10-2014 by BajaNomad]

David K - 3-5-2014 at 11:48 AM

'Epic' I think is the word...

Dirt roads, dry washes, endless attractions, old mines, palm canyons, beautiful beaches...

Gonzaga is 100 miles south of San Felipe, so where do you want to stay? How (camp or motel)? What do you want to see and do while riding or while in camp/ motel?

Links to my photos grouped around destinations (San Felipe, Gonzaga Bay, etc.) can be seen at http://vivabaja.com/tours

motoged - 3-5-2014 at 02:00 PM

JZ,
Google your question and you will likely find tons of info....

A great variety of terrain from paved roads to deep sand in the arroyos....and everything in between.

Wherever you do your overnights, lock your bikes with at least a padlock in the brake rotor....and cable bikes together is another good idea.

I say this as my 690 was stolen in San Felipe last month while I was in a bakery buying donuts for 5 minutes (they rolled it away as it was not locked)....I offered a $15,000 peso reward ad put posters up....got the bike back 48 hours later...

My lessons were:

1) lock bike when leaving it out of sight.

2) Cut down on carbohydrate intake....:biggrin:

StuckSucks - 3-5-2014 at 02:39 PM

There's a whole lot of desert in Baja. If you like desert riding, you'll love the area - it has sand and rocks and killer scenery.

rts551 - 3-5-2014 at 03:14 PM

listen to people who actually ride motorcycles. There is a ton of places to go and things to do.

TMW - 3-5-2014 at 03:27 PM

Lots of good riding around San Felipe and Gonzaga. SF has a lot of whoops on the old Puertecitos sand road going south and the power line road thru the dump to the north, they will wear you out. Day trips would be great to Mikes Sky Rancho and Matomi wash etc. Stay in Gonzaga and ride to the Turquesa mine, Calamajue mission site and gold mine. Visit with Coco.

motoged - 3-5-2014 at 03:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
Lots of good riding around San Felipe and Gonzaga. SF has a lot of whoops on the old Puertecitos sand road going south and the power line road thru the dump to the north, they will wear you out. Day trips would be great to Mikes Sky Rancho and Matomi wash etc. Stay in Gonzaga and ride to the Turquesa mine, Calamajue mission site and gold mine. Visit with Coco.


Great advice....that's about 5-7 days of riding if you do it right :saint:

MAPS

David K - 3-5-2014 at 04:02 PM

Some maps to help you visualize the regions discussed...

San Felipe-Puertecitos Region:












Further South, Gonzaga Region...










Bahia San Luis Gonzaga (sometimes called 'Willard Bay')


Alfonsina's to Punta Final 'bay' is Ensenada de San Francisquito (but usually called 'Gonzaga Bay')

1970 map shows the turquoise mine, bird's eye view:



[Edited on 3-5-2014 by David K]

ncampion - 3-5-2014 at 05:19 PM

As David says, riding there is Epic. Carry gas if possible and/or know your bike's range. It's easy to burn through a tank out there and hard to find help.

Hook - 3-5-2014 at 05:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
listen to people who actually ride motorcycles. There is a ton of places to go and things to do.


But, but, but...............oh, what's the use??? :rolleyes:

Apparently maps trump actual experience. :lol:

[Edited on 3-6-2014 by Hook]

treuboff - 3-5-2014 at 07:23 PM

Take spark plug out at night. In Gonzaga stay of beach or a crazy lady will hunt you down.

David K - 3-5-2014 at 07:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
listen to people who actually ride motorcycles. There is a ton of places to go and things to do.


But, but, but...............oh, what's the use??? :rolleyes:

Apparently maps trump actual experience. :lol:

[Edited on 3-6-2014 by Hook]


My first Baja 'vehicles' were motor bikes... I just graduated to four wheels sooner than others... I almost was killed at Bahia Santa Maria in 1972 riding a Honda... So, 'nuff said.

Places that are great for exploring (on bikes or otherwise) are in the maps and photos I have to share... Why limit the data he gets because I use a Toyota instead of a Honda now? :?:

TW and Ged are great bike riders and they don't mind sharing... I haven't seen a m/c trip report or helpful suggestions by many others in this thread yet...

basautter - 3-5-2014 at 07:49 PM

The Baja 250 course is centered in SF. Lots of sandy whoops. Lots of info online. Not much by Gonzaga Bay except jeep trails and gravel roads. LA Bay has single track. So does Catavina. Google "Lizard Lady GPS". She has great books with GPS info. They are expensive, but worth it. Have fun!

treuboff - 3-5-2014 at 11:31 PM

Go out the well rd. west of El Dorado hit the power line turn S. Huge whoops& silt. Part of the Score course. Can continue west on the well road and lots of desert. On way into town at the black Mountain look for a couple of uprights trails there that's used for Pete's Camp Poker Run. Inquire at PC for upcoming run in Oct. Or look on lineFB Pete's Camp El Paraiso

David K - 3-6-2014 at 10:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by basautter
The Baja 250 course is centered in SF. Lots of sandy whoops. Lots of info online. Not much by Gonzaga Bay except jeep trails and gravel roads. LA Bay has single track. So does Catavina. Google "Lizard Lady GPS". She has great books with GPS info. They are expensive, but worth it. Have fun!


It may surprise you but there are a lot of tracks around Gonzaga Bay for m/c riding... One heads west from the north side of Rancho Grande market, drops into an arroyo and circles to the south. A side track goes to the Onyx Spring (glacier). South from Beluga, you can go all the way to Punta Final on the old road, via Molino de Lacy. A really old Jeep road (that is probably only passable on bikes now) goes south from Molino de Lacy to Coco's Corner area, via the Pioneer Gold Mine. There are other gold mines in the region.
The track to Las Palmitas is a fun run and going up the Santa Maria Canyon to the pools and palms may be possible on a bike. See my sketch map of some of these tracks I posted above.

JZ - 3-6-2014 at 03:39 PM

Thanks guys. Kids spring break starts on Good Friday. Does everything mostly clear out after Easter Sunday in San Felipe?. If so, thinking of coming down then.

David K - 3-6-2014 at 06:07 PM

In Mexico, Easter is a 2 week deal... Easter is in the middle. Get away from San Felipe... but all beach camps will be full. Camp out in the valley, canyons, anywhere but the beach if you want privacy and free country to ride in.

JZ - 3-6-2014 at 06:12 PM

In San Carlos (mainland) the town goes from 40K back to the normal 4K by 2pm on Easter Sunday. Not the same at San Felipe?

We aren't camping. Have been doing that too much here the last few months. What are the better hotels.

David K - 3-6-2014 at 06:16 PM

Oh well good luck then... A better hotel will be one with an available room, by this point!!!

TMW - 3-6-2014 at 10:36 PM

San Felipe rocks all thru Spring break or it use to. The El Capitan hotel is not a bad place to hang if you want a base. In Gonzaga maybe the El Sacrificio maybe the place, never stayed there, but I think it's cheaper than Alfonsina's but the food at Alfonsina's really rocks.

TMW - 3-6-2014 at 10:50 PM

Hotels in Baja depend on your level of tolerance, most good hotels are similar to a motel six. The better hotels for the upper class are in Cabo not the upper regions of Baja. Not saying they aren't good just don't think of the Ritz. You just have to lower your level of expectation. Then you'll love it. A good bed, hot shower and air when it's warm are the basic stuff to look for. TV may or may not have english channels. It's the overall experience that makes for a great trip. Me I prefer to camp two days then stay in a hotel to cleanup then camp some more. Nothing like sleeping under the stars with the ocean waves taking you to sleep and when you wake up. Catching some fresh fish makes it even better.

I forgot to add the people. Do engage them. You would be surprised how just knowing a few words in Spanish can make for an enjoyable conversation as you both try to understand each other.

[Edited on 3-7-2014 by TW]

David K - 3-7-2014 at 12:59 AM

Excellent advice TW... and even more valuable as you are a real desert motorcycle rider! :light::tumble:

brewer - 3-7-2014 at 11:58 PM

Lock up your stuff in Gonzaga. Several thefts reported. Try not to leave stuff unattended. Lots of new people around looking for easy $ ...

David K - 3-8-2014 at 02:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Lock up your stuff in Gonzaga. Several thefts reported. Try not to leave stuff unattended. Lots of new people around looking for easy $ ...


Reported where? I would think with all the Nomads there or passing through, such a report would be on Baja Nomad first?

Can't be too surprised if it is true... the pavement has arrived, and with it ALL kinds of people!* :light:

*Mama Espinoza, 1973: "Bad Roads bring Good People, Good Roads bring ALL Kinds of People"

JZ - 3-8-2014 at 02:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
Hotels in Baja depend on your level of tolerance, most good hotels are similar to a motel six. The better hotels for the upper class are in Cabo not the upper regions of Baja. Not saying they aren't good just don't think of the Ritz. You just have to lower your level of expectation. Then you'll love it. A good bed, hot shower and air when it's warm are the basic stuff to look for. TV may or may not have english channels. It's the overall experience that makes for a great trip. Me I prefer to camp two days then stay in a hotel to cleanup then camp some more. Nothing like sleeping under the stars with the ocean waves taking you to sleep and when you wake up. Catching some fresh fish makes it even better.

I forgot to add the people. Do engage them. You would be surprised how just knowing a few words in Spanish can make for an enjoyable conversation as you both try to understand each other.

[Edited on 3-7-2014 by TW]


Thanks bud, yeah I'm pretty familiar with travel in MX. We had a house in Sonora for 5 years (Hook stayed there once a while back), and I've done a couple 500 mile trips down the coast of Baja launching from San Felipe in a boat.

So, have been to San Felipe, but just haven't ridden out of there or Gonzaga.

A couple of my MX buddies are coming up from San Carlos to join us.


brewer - 3-8-2014 at 07:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Lock up your stuff in Gonzaga. Several thefts reported. Try not to leave stuff unattended. Lots of new people around looking for easy $ ...

Reported locally. That is why there is a gate and secruity guards at Alfonsinas now. And they are still ripping stuff off. Not all things can be found on Nomad. Like the recent home invasion robbery at Percibu
Reported where? I would think with all the Nomads there or passing through, such a report would be on Baja Nomad first?

Can't be too surprised if it is true... the pavement has arrived, and with it ALL kinds of people!* :light:

*Mama Espinoza, 1973: "Bad Roads bring Good People, Good Roads bring ALL Kinds of People"

brewer - 3-8-2014 at 07:32 AM

Messed my quote up last post.

David K - 3-8-2014 at 10:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Messed my quote up last post.


Happens if you type before the [ /quote] tag

You can edit your posts if you want to fix, change or totally remove them. The edit button is on the top right of your posts... Because JZ's photos are bigger than the Nomad page, you need to scroll to the right to see (if on a standard monitor).

Posting the bad news would be great for you to share here since you seem to have an inside of crime at Percebu and Alfonsina's? Thank you.