marcos-el-malo
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Registered: 2-23-2006
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The "Gas Gap"
Hi Everyone!
I'm planning on riding my motorcycle thru Baja this March, maybe as far as Todos Santos. I've got a Suzi GZ 250 (250 cc) which is a small cruiser
style. I'll be sticking to the main roads, and only going around 200 miles a day since it's such a small bike. (I've ridden it from L.A. to S.F and
back, no problem, but 400 miles on it were very tiring.)
My cruising range on a full tank of gas is about 150 miles (3.2 gallons, 48 mpg roughly). I've been told that I need to carry a gas can for a certain
stretch that has no gas stations (the "gas gap"), but I'm not sure where this gas gap is located.
Any information, tips, or advice would be welcomed!
Thanks,
Marcos El Malo
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Pompano
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Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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I have driven my Vulcan many times through what you call the 'gas gap'...never had any fuel problems myself. But maybe I am going faster and can
coast a lot further!!
Fill it when you can and you should have no problems whatsoever. I see lots of similar bikes making the trip without gas cans. If you happen to
indeed run out...just stand there holding up an empty can or whatever. Someone will give you gas. Been there...done that.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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marv sherrill
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The gas at Catavena is non existent at this time - as of Tuesday it looked like they were putting in new tanks - the whole area was all dug up - gas
was still available in 5 gal cans here and at punta prieta -
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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At Catavina the "official" gas pumps are generally 'cerrado'
The guy across the street at the old, closed Pemex generally has gas out of cans, about a buck per gallon more, but worth it.
(The restaurant right there on the East side of the highway is really good!)
If both are out then ask around, the motel just a few steps North has gas in cans.
The LABay turnoff usually has gas in cans. The Llantera at Laguna Chapala probably would sell you enough for your bike.
And yes, when all else fails, a ranch house or a passing motorist will always be good for a couple of gallons.
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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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For some milage details as you don't really know where these places are at:
Border to El Rosario: 225 miles Many gas stations along this stretch with the final top off at El Rosario. Motel next door to station 'Baja Cactus' is
excellent and cheap (ask for new/remodeled room).
El Rosario to next gas (Catavi?a) is 76 miles. Sold by independant dealer on left side of highway... his name is Alfonso and he hauls cans of gas from
El Rosario to sell here for the needs of travelers.
The next gas is 64 miles from Catavi?a (140 from El Rosario) at the junction with the 41 miles good paved highway to Bahia de los Angeles (highly
recommend you pop in there)... Sold by 1 or 2 independant vendors on the right side of highway, just past the Y to Bahia de L.A.
There is a new gas station in Bahia de L.A. open during the day except from 2-4pm (siesta).
South of the Bahia de L.A. junction about 60 miles is Villa Jesus Maria with a gas station... and even better, Carmalita's tamales... sold out of her
van parked there... YUM!
22 miles from Jesus Maria is the state border (note tall eagle monument you have been seeing for many miles, wondering what that is). A gas station is
there and again another in the nearby town of Guerrero Negro about 2 miles south and 2 miles west from the border (where you show your Tourist Card
you got at the border in Tijuana.
From the Eagle Monument south, gas is no problem... but top off in Ciudad Constitucion for the long lonely run to La Paz... 130 miles away.
Do not pass up a chance to buy gas if you are below half a tank... as the next place may be closed!
Get the AAA Baja map... milages and gas stations shown Available from many online sources like bajabooksandmaps.com, mapworld.com, discoverbaja.com...
[Edited on 2-24-2006 by David K]
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marcos-el-malo
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Registered: 2-23-2006
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Thank you all!
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bajarich
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If you get gas at Santa Rosalia, watch for a crooked pump. They'll have 25 liters in before you even get the tank open. I'd fill up at San Ignacio
and then head for Mulege.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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His tank only holds 3.2 gallons... but the Santa Rosalia pump will probably get 4 gallons into it before it is full!!!
Good point Marcos el Malo, The station in Santa Rosalia is notorious for being way out of calibration and mis-counting change... Good idea to get
pesos for Baja... less chance of rip offs and getting the most for your money.
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DavidT
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Registered: 4-9-2005
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We topped off from the barrels in Catavina on the way to Gonzaga Bay last Thanksgiving. Three dollars a gallon, full serve and some pleasant
conversation to go with it. Try getting that from Arco.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
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Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidT
We topped off from the barrels in Catavina on the way to Gonzaga Bay last Thanksgiving. Three dollars a gallon, full serve and some pleasant
conversation to go with it. Try getting that from Arco. |
if you buy from the independents you need to have some way to filter the Gas. some of the barrels are very rusty inside. a funnel with a peace of
finely woven cloth will save you lots of headaches latter.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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