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mufflerbearings
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 5-15-2014
Location: Cathedral City
Member Is Offline
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Northern Baja Moto Trip
Hola Nomads,
I've been lurking here for some time and not contributing anything in return, so I thought I'd introduce myself by way of a trip report.
But first, I want to extend a big thank you to the active members of this site, since I've gathered so much helpful information here concerning places
to see in Baja.
I had a few free days recently, so I packed up my old Honda and pointed it south. I crossed at Tecate, where I secured my tourist card from INM and
some adobada tacos at one of my favorite places. I hit the Compadre Trail towards Ojos Negros. I was somewhat concerned to see that survey crews
have been busily placing flags and stakes along much of the trail, and there are some new concrete crossings over certain washes. Is pavement in the
future for the Compadre? I hope not.
Parked at the charred remains of the old palapa at the south end of Compadre:
I crossed Highway 3 at Ojos Negros and rode the trial south past Rancho Tres Hermanos and down through Ejido Uruapan to Highway 1. I encountered
these characters along the dirt superhighway from Santo Tomas to Erendira:
Coyote Cal's was my destination for the first night. I always run into interesting folks at Cal's. This time there was a nice mix of off-road types
and Mexican families.
In the morning, I headed down the coast and found one of the blow holes was pretty active:
There happened to be a local desert race taking place that day, and the course was running along my planned route. Where else but Baja do you get
scenery like this for a motorcycle race?
Some random scenery from getting lost along the edge of Cabo Colonet:
There seems to be less of the shipwreck at El Barco every time I see it:
Friends often ask me, "Why ride in Mexico? What's wrong with just riding in California?" Well, try this in California and see how long it takes to
have your bike confiscated:
I made it as far south as El Rosario, where I had dinner at Mama Espinoza's. This was the first time I'd visited Mama's, and while the food was
nothing to write home about, I was impressed by the old XR500 prominently displayed in the dining room. This gives me some ideas for my own home
décor:
I spent the night at Cielito Lindo, where for 350 pesos I got a huge, sparkling clean, recently renovated room with two beds and indoor bike parking
(with the permission and at the suggestion of the manager).
This was the first time I've stayed at Cielito Lindo, and I will certainly be back. Although the management is working to rehab the rooms, they've
managed to retain the 'Old Baja' feel of the place. This is most evident in the dining room/bar, where I felt like I had stepped into the 1950's.
It's really a very cool place.
Day three started with a leisurely ride back north on Highway 1, where I got a shot of my sexy gordita in front of the sexy gordita store:
I initially started up the Observatory Road with the intention of riding from Rancho El Coyote up to Mike's Sky Ranch, but before I got too far up the
road, I had a stroke of good sense and realized that I would be foolish to attempt that route solo. I stopped for a rest in this little settlement
along the Observatory Road:
I wasn't excited about riding Highway 1 all the way back through Ensenada, so decided instead to take the Wine Road from the military checkpoint north
of Colonet to Valle La Trinidad. About halfway along this route, and a very long walk to anything resembling civilization, I found this bit of bad
luck which reminds me that I should do some front-end work on my own Tacoma:
In Valle T, I was fortunate enough to find my favorite taco shop open and slinging quesatacos and Coca-Cola. This place alone was worth every mile.
From Valle T, a quick blast along Highway 3 and back up the Compadre Trail put me in Tecate in time for dinner. It was a short and uneventful trip,
but it was enough to recharge for another week in the trenches. 
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Nice ride. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the site. Great pictures.
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TecateRay
Nomad
Posts: 346
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: La Mesa, CA
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Paving on the Compadre trail? Not in current budgets. Friends living in Neji and at El Compadre tell me that there is some talk of paving to Neji in
the next few years, nothing further is in planning. It looks the survey marking is mostly for regrading and dirt road improvements. At least I hope
that is the case.
GOOD ROADS OFTEN BRING BAD PEOPLE
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13043
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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glad you jumped into the fray dude...I loved your photos...had an essence of DavidK and his toyota! hahahaha...enjoyed the ride along...thanks for
participating!
there is an amazing beach ride you may want to try someday a bit further down...at a good low tide, you can ride from San Hipolito...(just 45 minutes
south of Bahia Asuncion on the beach road) all the way to La Bocana...gotta be over 45 minutes on the beach...super cool! there are lots of offroad
dirt still in central baja to explore!
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6002
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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RE....bad luck
What happened with the Toyota was 'unfortunate'.
'Bad luck' would be making it five feet farther!
Nice job on the report, it shames and inspires me at the same time.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64739
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you for sharing the great photos and trip report! Welcome to Nomad.
No doubt the poor Tacoma was run off the road by some big Ford or Dodge truck using too much space! LOL
Enjoy Baja before they pave all the roads... it's happening right now!
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BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 889
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Great photos!
Lower ball joint failures in those 4Runners/Tacomas are a common problem after 150k. Which you'd probably just want to replace anyways by then.
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2107
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
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Thanks for the great trip report. I recognize some of those bar stools at Cielito Lindo!!!
"When you catch a fish, you open the door of happiness."
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Not much better than a few days riding anywhere in Baja....thanks for sharing the trip.
Don't believe everything you think....
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
Member Is Offline
Mood: 
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Thanks for the post. Brings back good memories, and reminds me that I need to take the bike down again.
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Maron
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 4-14-2014
Member Is Offline
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Great report and super photos
thks
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
Posts: 2318
Registered: 10-17-2013
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VERY cool photos - thanks for sharing!
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blackwolfmt
Senior Nomad
Posts: 802
Registered: 1-18-2014
Location: On The Beach With A Blackwolf
Member Is Offline
Mood: dreamin of Riden out a hurricane in Baja
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looks like a great time thanks for posting what was your total bike miles
So understand dont waste your time always searching for those wasted years
face up and make your stand and realize that your living in the golden years
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Excellent report, love the pictures, thanks. I have only stayed at Cielito Lindo one time many years ago and it was not very good. Glad to see they
are upgrading it. I do love the restaurant and bar. One of the best margaritas I have ever had.
I just had both lower ball joints replaced on my 04 Tacoma. I don't want to end up like that guy. I usually fall into ditches from poor driving.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Good job mufflerbearings, thanks for taking the time to post. Haven't been to Cielto Lindo in a bunch of years. Good to hear it's still operating.
It's quite the hideout.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Not a problem....only the left wing is damaged....
Don't believe everything you think....
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mufflerbearings
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 5-15-2014
Location: Cathedral City
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words, everyone!
TecateRay, I'm glad to hear that the Compadre will not be smothered by the brutal pavement anytime in the near future.
Shari, I love that beach ride between La Bocana and San Hipolito. It seems like it goes on for days!
Blackwolfmt, I'm not sure of the total mileage for the ride, since I don't have an odometer or GPS, but I'm guessing somewhere in the 500-600 mile
range, starting and ending at home near Palm Springs.
As far as the injured Tacoma, I couldn't tell if that was the result of a lower ball joint failure or if the LBJ failed due to the side load once he
slid off the road. The driver had a long walk regardless. 
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Pacifico
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 5-26-2008
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Great trip report and welcome! I just did a lot of that same route in my buggy... Great route! Beautiful bike, I used to have a XR 400...love those
Hondas!
Saw you lived in Cat City, I work in Cathedral City!
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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mufflerbearings
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 5-15-2014
Location: Cathedral City
Member Is Offline
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Quote: Originally posted by Pacifico  | Great trip report and welcome! I just did a lot of that same route in my buggy... Great route! Beautiful bike, I used to have a XR 400...love those
Hondas!
Saw you lived in Cat City, I work in Cathedral City! |
Thanks Pacifico! Good to see someone else still has a soft spot for the XR's; it seems like I'm the lone red bike in a sea of KTM's everywhere I go
these days. 
Yep, I live and work in Cat City. I'm always surprised when someone knows where tired old Cat City is! My office is near the corner of Perez and
Cathedral Canyon.
What kind of buggy do you drive? I deeply regret selling my well-built 1965 Baja a few years ago. I hope to someday soon build or buy a
Subaru-powered Baja.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2427
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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Great ride report,I ride same area. Great pictures too!
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