I've been perusing the forums on and off for a few months now, planning a 2wk driving trip from Mexicali to La Paz, exploring and camping along the
way w my wife and 2yr old daughter.
After Odile and other unrelated items affecting planning, we're now down to the wire. We'd made the decision to go starting on oct 24th. The main
factor was the comment we've heard from different sources that once the reconstruction is under way, tourist spending is welcome to help with the
recovery.
However... I was thinking that Baja 1000 prerunning was going to be open later, now it appears they start PR on 10/13.
So, having never been to Baja, my question is: How much of an issue is touring the peninsula while pre-running is going? Do I need to stay well clear
of any road marked on the map? Will I be choking on race fuel fumes and dust on every spot near the route?
I know it's a big peninsula, but having never been there my ignorance is even larger, and I'm imagining being overrun by unmuffled retired race trucks
doing 80mph everywhere. I'm also a bit wary of the flatbill-wearing, Monster-swilling "bro" fan demographics that are often portrayed as part of these
events, although I have NO idea if that is true or not in the case of Baja 1000.
If we don't go on 10/24 (10/24-11/9) we'll have to push it well into next year, if at all, so I'm hoping I can still make it work.
Excuse me if I sound ignorant, it's just that I have NO idea what it's like before the race, so any and all comments are welcome.
Thank you!
P.S. I don't hate motorsports or anything like that (I used to do some road rallying a few years back), just want to know if it's better to be out of
the way during these weeks if my main interest is knowing the peninsula, not the race itself.AKgringo - 10-6-2014 at 07:24 AM
Three years ago, I found myself on your same timetable in regards to traveling before the race. And like you, I am not a follower of, or critic of
off road racing, and all I can say is Go For It!
I think you timing is perfect. The rains will have settled a lot of dust, the dessert will be in bloom, and the few racers you will interact with are
good people and will add a little adventure to the trip.
I traveled down the east side, including the road south of Bay of Los Angeles (not maintained) and was surprised how little traffic I encountered.
With the rains come bugs, and if you drive the back roads, plan ahead and be prepared!
Have fun, G.L.Ateo - 10-6-2014 at 08:01 AM
You'll be fine. Go. Are you gonna be driving a lot of the race course?David K - 10-6-2014 at 08:31 AM
Pre running is not racing, but going the same direction (south) as pre runners are would be my choice if you happen to use some of the race course...
The exception is between Coco's Corner and Hwy. 1 where they will be coming north. However, that is a 2 lane wide graded road and there is traffic on
it... and the racers don't want to hit anyone either.
Enjoy your trip, you may not see any pre runners at all. It could be fun if you do.dtbushpilot - 10-6-2014 at 08:36 AM
Welcome to Nomads Gonzo. Don't risk it, Baja will still be here next year.danaeb - 10-6-2014 at 08:36 AM
Most of the time you won't even see them. I drove down during a pre-run and the most we saw was puffs of dust in the distance and tons of race
vehicles in the hotel parking lots when we got up in the morning. Have a great time - October is one of the best months all-round in Baja.Gulliver - 10-6-2014 at 08:43 AM
I've had more of a problem with the hangers on than with any real racers. The race is almost all off of the highway but during, and especially after,
the race there are some rather uninhibited drivers zooming back and forth on the highway I guess to get from one check point to another.
All and all, I wouldn't sweat it. Of course, no driving at night, take it easy yourself and watch out for the usual fools, both locals and gringos,
who will pass at the damnedest places and drive as though they were brain dead.bkbend - 10-6-2014 at 09:15 AM
I've driven hwy 1 in the pre-runner timeframe and it's not too bad. I haven't seen anyone pre-running the pavement but there are truck haulers
hopscotching down to the next segment in a big hurry. Go slow, let them go by, and get them off your tail. Not much different than busses and some
trucks. If your exploration takes you off the highway and onto course segments, then you could have concerns (IMHO). I'm heading down at that same
time and would prefer crossing at Mexicali and take Hwy 5 to Hwy 1 but may take Hwy 1 from Tijuana this trip and return via Coco's Corner after the
race. As mentioned previously the segment from Coco's to Hwy 1 is sort of two lanes but there is a section of hills with some single lane and blind
corners.
That said, how much off-road exploration do you plan to do. Two weeks to La Paz and back with exploration is ambitious for a first trip. You will
not cover as many miles in a day as you are expecting to do. There are a lot of short side trips off Hwy 1 and not part of the course to keep you
occupied. You can get a feel for Baja and get ideas for a second trip with more in-depth exploration. I wouldn't put off the trip, you are aware of
the hazard so travel accordingly.TMW - 10-6-2014 at 09:34 AM
Get a copy of the 1000 map and in the non-hwy areas where the race course is travel in the direction of the course if you get in the dirt. While SCORE
wants all pre-running done at a safe speed sometimes boys will be boys and want to open it up. Keep an eye in your rear view mirror when in the dirt.
We're leaving San Felipe Nov. 7 to pre-run the bottom end and finish the race.DrGonzo - 10-6-2014 at 09:39 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone!
While our route has not been finalized yet, It looks very likely that we'd be sharing the race route from BOLA to Vizcaino. At least we'll be going in
the race direction.
(based on http://score-international.com/2014-baja-1000-course-map/ )
Maybe I'll put one of those flags they use for sand buggies in the rear of our SUV
We're really looking forward to this trip. I guess we'll just carry on as planned and plan our exploration to minimize overlap with the course as much
as possible - with the exception I mentioned south of bay of Los Angeles. Unless of course it's super tight and narrow and nowhere to get out of the
way and those who know the road would recommend against it.
I'm thinking I'll carry my police scanner with the "stalker" function to find nearby active frequencies as well as the CB, at least I could hear radio
chatter if I'm close to a team / race truck - hopefully.
Cheers!TMW - 10-6-2014 at 11:54 AM
Most racers pre-running the course will give you slack in a tight place they just don't want to be held up when you can pull over for them to pass.
Also most organized teams have their own radio frequency but many use the Weatherman frequency 151.625mhz for the pre-run.AKgringo - 10-6-2014 at 12:04 PM
Your route is the same one I took when I unofficially pre-ran part of the course. I recommend that near the turn off to Punta San Francisquito, you
leave the course markers and travel the main road, or prepare to crawl for a while. Better yet, turn left and visit San Francisquito, I am headed
there this week myself.
The ranch between there and El Arco has a restaurant that might be open. I had machaca burritos with their home made cheese.
You will enjoy the trip! G.L.TMW - 10-6-2014 at 02:29 PM
On the road from BOLA the course will make a right hand turn approximately 69 miles from BOLA. You don't want to turn. The road was rough even before
the rains and is narrower. The main road is about a mile further south toward San Francisquito. The main road is wider and smoother or it was before
the rains. Go on to SF for lunch or just check it out.
BOLA-SF-El Arco Junction Sweetwater - 10-6-2014 at 03:52 PM
As someone who has gotten caught up in Calume Wash with a pre-runner Trophy truck, I'd advise you to think twice about actually using the route during
active pre-running. And as a chaser for a moto team, I can tell you that there are multiple examples of both chase and race vehicles being subject to
"events" that can easily involve you.....just sayin'.....
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by BajaNomad]
Thanks TW
AKgringo - 10-6-2014 at 04:10 PM
Thanks for posting the birds eye view of the course near the PSF turn off. It is much clearer than my narrative. I drove that green line in a stock
KIA Sportage 2 door with slightly oversize tires. I'm glad I did, and don't have to do it again. Thank God for low range gears, skid plates, and old
paint!motoged - 10-6-2014 at 04:24 PM
They run faster without all that fender crap....
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by BajaNomad]StuckSucks - 10-6-2014 at 04:37 PM
We'll be prerunning after the 6th between Loreto and the finish. What others have said: if you're not on the course itself, you probably won't notice
us. Of course, on race day things get a little more hurried on the highway. If you see me in the black Tacoma (pictured left), ask for some steekers.StuckSucks - 10-6-2014 at 04:42 PM
Hotel parking lots is where you'll see the largest clump of racers:
DrGonzo
AKgringo - 10-6-2014 at 05:25 PM
DrGonzo, check your U2U inboxfreediverbrian - 10-6-2014 at 08:25 PM
I was in Gonzaga during pre race a few years a go before the road was paved. The teams were no problem not driving at race speeds, gave the Baja
wave, and very cool to see the team and support crewgnukid - 10-6-2014 at 09:59 PM
The crews drive fast and will pass on a curve, let em pass and stay away from the course.
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by gnukid]David K - 10-6-2014 at 10:35 PM
That photo/ car has no relation to off road racing or pre-running... the first little rock it meets will destroy it.Alm - 10-6-2014 at 10:40 PM
One problem during those races is that all hotels are taken. At least, all good and cheap ones. Racers, support teams, fans etc etc. You will have
to drive sometimes 40-60 miles off your planned route to find a place to sleep. Don't know if it's the same during pre-run.DrGonzo - 10-7-2014 at 05:07 AM
Thanks again everyone for the replies and info. It is enlightening for a Baja noob like me.
AKGringo and TW, thanks for the info and map on the road south of BOLA.
So... now I have another question. By the SCORE map (tiny, little detail) it *looks* like they use basically the main road from BOLA to el Arco, then
detour until they cross HWY 1 again (as shown in my extremely poor sketch in MS paint - I'm on a business trip and have no access to my home pc w my
garmin/google earth stuff )
Do they actually follow the main road or do they switch back and forth between the main and some side trails (you know, more difficult, like the
"green line" from TW's map)?
If it's the latter, then I could conceivably keep to the main road and look for the day glo markers to avoid those sections. Then perhaps while on the
road just keep my eyes peeled. I have no interest in following the race route, just wonder how much of it overlaps with the main roads/trails into
some of the locations we may want to visit.
I'll look for the tracklog/map whatever I can load into my GPS to have as reference and avoid as much as I can, but I'd still like to drive this area
if possible.
Spent some time last night searching for "prerunning" "traffic" and "etiquette". LOL at the videos I saw. The faster trucks do what I'd love to do in
traffic most days ("first a small tap, if still in your way then big bump"). I'd just be extremely p**d off if some prerunner smashed into my SUV
while I was trying to get out of the way. Was considering taking my wife's escape (turbo!) but I think we'll take my "full size" Montero, while slower
and thirstier, it's larger and more robust. Did I mention it's larger?
AK and TW, San Francisquito looks like the kind of place I'm looking for, so I'll be sure to check it out. Seems like camping is a good option there,
so we may try that.
Thanks again for the replies and helpful info everyone!
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by DrGonzo]
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by DrGonzo]
Sweetwater - 10-7-2014 at 08:36 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
They run faster without all that fender crap....
[Edited on 10-7-2014 by BajaNomad]
That was 4 years ago....we were pre-running the course on 4 motos....of course....with 2 chase trucks. There were quite a few Trophy trucks like that
one out on the course and all over the highway. We were just north of Gonzaga when that truck passed us on the pavement....he had to be 90+ mph....we
did catch up to him about 5 minutes later when the pavement ended at the bottom of a hill with a tight left turn followed by a quick right. The truck
had rolled 2-3 times and came to rest as pictured....nobody injured which totally surprised me until I had the opportunity to look at the roll cage
and protection. When we got further south and dealt with the switchbacks around Bahia de Concepcion, it got really interesting since there were north
and southbound 18 wheelers.....Interesting that this year the Mil lists Datil on the road to San Juanico....they must be abandoning the high road with
those silt beds. I don't really want to see how the low road looks after the race.....mtgoat666 - 10-7-2014 at 09:27 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Sweetwater
Interesting that this year the Mil lists Datil on the road to San Juanico....they must be abandoning the high road with those silt beds. I don't
really want to see how the low road looks after the race.....
i dont think the road to SI lagoon and datil is open yet after storm damage. wonder if the race will help or hurt recovery efforts of road from SI to
lagoon and datil?TMW - 10-7-2014 at 10:46 AM
Except for the green section I posted above the SCORE race course is the main road to El Arco. From El Arco to hwy 1 it appears they will go to
Guillermo Prieto on a dirt road and take the graded road to hwy 1 crossing at Ejido. Mujica.
