Rana Sylvatica
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 10-24-2003
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Cycling in Southern Baja
Does any one have or know where I can get any information about road cycle touring in Baja? I am at the beginning stage of planning a trip, probably
to the Sea of Cortez area. I mainly want to know how steep the roads are, where are the least hilly areas, and whether I should bring a mountain or a
road bike.
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 652
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Biking Baja
Very very dangerous on Mex. 1 to ride bikes. But, there are some really good rides on some of the dirt roads. Mission San Javier being a very
rewarding ride as there is beer and food when you arrive. Wear hats and bring lots of water.
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Neal Cox
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Registered: 8-28-2003
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riding your bike in baja
Every time I drive down Baja I see bicyclists along the route. I hate to think of what they must go though on their trip. I always give them respect
and a wide berth, but still !!!! I would take a bike for side trips, but would never consider biking down the T/P. Just my opinion.
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Anonymous
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Rana:
Picture this.
You are riding up a hill on a bike. I'm approaching you from the downhill side. I figure I might have enough room to pass because you are moving
slowly. As I pull around you, an eighteen wheeler comes over the hill.
Guess who gets it?
Have a great trip.
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jeans
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Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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A Picture Is worth a Thousand Words
Picture a trucker coming up behind you on a blind curve when a truck is passing you head on...who do you think will lose?
That could ruin your whole day.
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Debra
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Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Good Pic Jeans but......
do you happen to have, and can post one of the hwy. going down the grade into Santa Rosalia? Every time this comes up I flash back to each time I've
met up with someone on a bike and then a truck and no where to go......how about just before you get into Mulege? (the curves from HELL!)
Rana....Please! Before you do this, DRIVE down Mex 1 at least once and learn what you are up against. Debra
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jeans
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Debra,
Nope..no pic there...I needed both hands in those places!
This was taken on the flats north of Guerrero Negro. The truck looks far away, but at the speed we were both going I barely got my arm back
in the truck in time!
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Debra
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Yes, you are sooooo right
I don't have any pics. of that area either for the same reason!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Not only will I get you a photo of the Santa Rosalia downgrade ('Cuesta del Infierno'/ 'Hell's Grade'), but in my other hand I will have my GPS, while
I drive with my legs and tell you about the nearest missions... LOL There's just some things guys can do that girls can't (or won't... ha ha ha)...
G'night ladies... I am off to Baja tomorrow for lunch with amigos at Dave's Nueva York Deli.
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 652
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Santa Rosalia Grade
Like David said. You can't see my hands because they are busy making tuna fish (with mustard), talking on the phone, and drinking a cold Pacifico
while keeping an eye out for targets, I mean bikers!
Stick to the dirt guys.
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vandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 10-10-2003
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What a bunch of negative people!
Hi. I've met about a half-dozen bicyclers in southern Baja, and none of them mentioned any major problems. The nice thing about a bike is you can
HEAR the vehicles coming and ease off the road if two are coming at once.
Another nice thing about Baja is that you can take your bike on the bus if it's uncrowded, and travel 100 miles or so for $12. Do a search on biking
baja on Google or try Lonely Planet Thorntree "Mexico" or "On Your Bike".
They can steer you straight. The people on this board are complete motorheads, and when they see my kayak, ask "Where's the motor go?". ;^)
Have fun...lots of people have done this ride, and continue to do so. The major problem I heard of was flat tires from spiny plants...Of course be
prepared for desert conditions also.
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
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Location: Rosarito Beach
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And like I said,
Targets. I am by no means a "motorhead" although I do drive this highway fairly regularly. In a big ol pollutin gas van. I can't imagine a more
dangerous road anywhere for riding a bike. And I too see many people on bikes wherever I have been in Mexico (sometimes in places I can't believe!)
worth a story sometime. But seriously, because of the narrowness of La Carretera, the width of the buses, trucks and motorhomes, which is the
majority of vehicles, why would you even want to when there are so many safer, more scenic, bike friendly roads in all parts of Baja.
To say you did? Would this be called "Pedalhead"?
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Ski Baja
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Location: Rosarito Beach
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6 arrivals
I've seen a lot more than that heading south from here! Only the 6 made it. Sounds like a job for Baja Search and Rescue!
Personally, I would stick with the dirt roads.
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vandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 538
Registered: 10-10-2003
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For bicyclists, I prefer the term...
..."dope-swilling logo monkeys". Actually, that's just for Lance Armstrong and his ilk. But that's beside the point, which is: ask a bicyclist who's
done the trip. There are lots of them.
As far as what type of bike, all I noticed was the term "kevlar" when they talked about tires. None of them were on actual mountain bikes with fat
tires, but on ones with skinny tires with knobby treads, smooth down the middle. Hope this helps.
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Janice
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 10-19-2003
Location: Owens Valley/Alpine - California
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???
Ski...Where was that "vado" that was in the picture? Recent?
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Ski Baja
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Vado
It was about a week ago but not anywhere where anybody wants to go right now. Just an example of paved roads for pedalheads. And I enjoy biking myself
by the way. Near La Paz.
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Debra
Super Nomad
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Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Vandy, I don't think we are 'negitive' just worried
David K. and Dick.......have you not yet figured out why none of us 'girlz' will ride with you any longer? 
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