BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Rip To Cabo - Days 1-4
Last week I headed south with Cameron Steele and the Desert Assassins crew for the first ever "Rip To Cabo" motorcycle ride from Ensenada to Cabo San
Lucas. The eight day ride would take them on a 1500 mile journey down Baja, along stretches of the Pacific coastline, then through the desert and out
to the Sea of Cortez. Days 1-4 were along the Pacific coast and included overnight stops in Eréndira, El Rosario and Punta San Carlos. They had
multiple camera guys and a helicopter to capture all of the action, which is going to be used to create a one hour special on CBS Sports. I brought
down some cameras as well...and should have a video edited together in the next few weeks.
Day 1: The crew crossed the border in Tijuana at 10:30 and everyone stopped to get their tourist cards. We stopped at Las Brisas in Ensenada for
tacos, then headed south to Uruapan where the riders geared up and got on their motorcycles. I drove the north road from Santo Tomas to Eréndira and
it was in pretty good shape the whole way. The riders caught up with us just north of Punta Cabras and had fun popping wheelies down the beach and
riding in the sand dunes. We had an impressive steak dinner at Coyote Cal's followed by beers around the fire.
Tacos at Las Brisas
Sidekicker chowing down
Unloading bikes near Uruapan
The trusty steed of 11 Time
Refueling after the first day of riding
Sunset at Coyote Cal's in Eréndira
Day 2: The riders were up early and took off down the coast, and I headed out to the highway to make my way south. Just before Colonet, I headed west
out to the sand dunes at San Antonio del Mar to catch the riders as they passed. The 4Runner hit the 100,000 mile mark on the dirt road out to the
coast, which seemed fitting, as it hit 50,000 miles many years before on a trip to Erendira. The riders spent some time jumping the dunes and then
headed south to the lunch stop at the Pirate Cove in Camalú. After lunch, I headed south again on the highway to a stretch of beach south of San
Quintin to meet up with the riders and get some more video. After that, I headed south on the highway to Baja Cactus in El Rosario where were would be
stopping for the night. Shortly after I arrived, the helicopter landed in the parking lot of Baja Cactus, which was pretty impressive considering how
small that space is. That night the crew cooked up tri-tip on the grill and everyone enjoyed the feast.
I slept next to the helicopter
The 4Runner hits 100,000 miles near Colonet
The turnoff to Punta San Jacinto
Day 3: The crew was up early to grab breakfast down the street at Mama Espinosa's. Today would be a fairly short day of riding from El Rosario to
Punta San Carlos. Because of the terrain and limited access along the coast, I had to take the main road in to Punta San Carlos and did not get to
follow the riders. I was pretty exited about this day though, since I had never been to Punta San Carlos. When I arrived, windsurfers and kite surfers
were ripping in the surf out on the main point, and the waves looked pretty fun. We met Kevin from Solo Sports who runs the camp there and he gave us a tour of their facility. It is a very cool setup and it is truly a mecca for windsurfing and
kitesurfing enthusiasts who come from all over the world to take advantage of the windy coastline. Knowing that the motorcycles would still be a few
hours out, I decided to go for a surf. Kevin had told me the water was warm, but I was shocked at how nice it actually was. I surfed for two hours in
trunks at a spot they call the "Chili Bowl" that is south of the main point. The tide was a little too high, but there were some fun head-high waves,
and I had it all to myself. The riders arrived at around 1 PM and quickly took advantage of the sunshine and opportunity to relax for the rest of the
afternoon enjoying the house drink known as a "Baja Fog". That night the crew was treated to a great tamale buffet dinner at Solo Sports and some good
conversation with the other guests staying there. Most of the crew headed to bed early as the ride the following day was a long one: Punta San Carlos
to Bahia de Los Angeles.
Tim Morton's jersey at Mama Espinosa's
Helicopter parking is allowed at Baja Cactus
The turnoff for Punta San Carlos
Kevin (center) and a guest at the Solo Sports bar
Day 4: I was up at 6:30 and the riders were making their final preparations for a long day on their bikes. Unfortunately, I was going to be heading
back home to San Diego today. All of the support vehicles made their way back out to the highway and headed south and I headed back up the highway
towards El Rosario. I made good time and stopped for a surf south of Rosarito around 4 PM. The waves were really good and no crowds! The SENTRI lane
had about a 20 minute wait, and I was home on my couch watching football by 6:30. It was a great trip!
Cameron and Sunny mugging for the camera
Cameron, Kevin from Solo Sports and Sunny
Lobster stoked on getting day 4 started
About to depart Punta San Carlos
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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trip of a lifetime! everyone stop and pay homage to the man?
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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Haven't these guys done a "Rip to the Tip" event before??? A rather well-supported play ride....
There goes the neighborhood 
Just in time to beat the pre-runners.
Don't believe everything you think....
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Yeah....Rip To The Tip was the series that aired on Fuel TV. This will air on CBS Sports, so therefore a new name for the 2012 ride. That helicopter
footage sure does look good!
We didn't go by the OX memorial on this trip....maybe next year!
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Geoff, thanks for a Nomad trip report. It is becoming a rare species. You are also providing a tease for my upcoming 2012 Baja adventure. CHEERS!
Tri tip? GEEZO, I'm hungry.
[Edited on 10-16-2012 by bajadock]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64739
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Did they go up to the mesa southbound from Solosports, as that is otherwise on a dead end road?
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Great report. Ive really enjoyed watching all the Rip to tips.
No worries
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Thanks guys!
DK...I think they went inland, as their next stopping point was Bay of LA. I was talking to Kevin from Solo Sports about the route south and he said
it is nearly impassable. Apparently there is a foot trail, but I think it is too steep even for dirt bikes. He said the only possible option is to
plan ahead for an extreme low tide and ride down the beach.
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TMW
Select Nomad
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Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Great stuff, thanks.
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Is Johnny Campbell and JCR still involved?
No worries
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Johnny was down for the first couple days, but had to leave early for a rally race in Morocco.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64739
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Johnny was down for the first couple days, but had to leave early for a rally race in Morocco. |
Rough life! Go Johnny Go...
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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johnny headed to morocco with his four other 2013 dakar teammates to shake down this this CRF450 RALLY BIKE. take a look!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5896
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Thanks. A fun read and epic trip.
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