Dmitriy
test
Sorry about the bad focus and exposure but I still like it.... Here is a profile picture for you Leo
-
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Barf Baja 2016 - The ride begins!
- Thread starter OaklandF4i
- Start date
1962siia
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2013
- Location
- Rohnert Park
- Moto(s)
- 350exc-f
Aermacchi/HD Sprint 250ss
950 ADV
C&J XL350
T100SC
Guzzi hotrod
- Name
- Daniel
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 424261
Hydration is key in Baja. One of our riders because dehydrated and suffered the short term consequences. Coordination and stamina were affected and at one point not everything that he said made sense. After half an hour off the bike, a siesta and some water, our good buddy was back. I created this chart for reference.
I love the chart Tom! Thanks! "Are we is Disneyland?"
Leo_jb
City boy
Beat you to it buddy!
Leo_jb
City boy
Nice photo Dmitriy, but who's the old guy?
Lunch Box
Useful idiot
OaklandF4i
Darwin's exception
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2002
- Location
- San Francisco and Lake County
- Moto(s)
- Husqvarna FE350, TE300, a vintage CR390, and BMW R1200GS
- Name
- CJ
Baja 2016 Day 7 -
Scorpion Bay to San Ignacio
At this point in the trip, two bikes are now down for the count. We left Aaron in Mulege with his KTM to arrange for a tow back north to Bola. Josh's KTM is now down for the count as well. In Scorpion Bay Josh has access to the internet, a motel, the owners of the regular restaurant with wifi and fluent english speakers, plus Manuel with a truck to help him arrange a ride north to Bola. He also has instructions of where to go for help in San Ignacio if thats as far as he can get a ride too. Josh put in a great effort and had quite the adventure.
We met a number of great folks in Scorpion Bay this year. One, a retired gentleman from Bend Oregon and his uber equipped Taco. I forget the name of the fold out tent camper he is using, but I am told its the Rolls Royce of tent pop ups. He also traversed the Calle de Muerte we rode last year in his Taco with a buddy following in his cool truck. I believe he is pictured in Dmitriys photo previously. Great guy and knew his Baja. I was a bit pessimistic at his claim at first, but after speaking with him I have no doubts any longer. They had to do a little trail building in a few spots to make it through.
Leo, Scott, and Tom are going to ride as group and leave first. Scott, aka Norcalslowpoke or Fabioso likes his early starts. He feels, and I agree, its a key to keep a group moving and on time. Fabioso did a fantastic job this year of keeping the group on track. With the exception of the previous days mechanicals, there was no night riding. Leo on the other hand always wants a sit down breakfast before going anywhere. So I have to light heartingly tease him about a 5:30 departure everyday.
The rest of us are going to ride as a group north up the flats together. I'm not in a hurry as its an easy route and I think Eric could use the extra sleep and time as he was up so late helping retrieve Josh's bike. Speaking of Eric and his bored out KLX250S, he is always riding his own pace and his own program. The first day on the way to PSF, I was slightly concerned. But as the trip progressed I quickly realized he is one of our most consistent riders. Surprised if he ever even dabbed a toe wrong the entire trip. The dust wouid settle on the trail as we regrouped and there would be Eric, like Don Quixote's side kick Sancho Panza. The sane one, reliable one, always there. Big props Eric, would ride anywhere with you!
I keep getting distracted down on the beach trying to pack and load up my bike for the day. So many nice folks I cant help but continue conversations. For folks that know me, I have an opinion on everything (wrong as often as right), and like to gab. Its my favorite part of dirt biking and travelling. Meeting new folks and sharing stories.
Eventually I get geared up and on the bike to ride from the beach up to the motel where the group will meet. All together now we start north on the gravel road a few miles before heading west to and around the dunes with the flats just beyond that. I am leading at a moderate pace of 50mph or so on what seems like a relatively new graded track through the dunes and can see the old track to the side that is deep and sandy. I swore we rode it last year. Thinking to myself how nice and easy this is now, my mind kinda wonders. Around a right corner then sharp semi blind left I am greeted by a deep pit of silt.........
Being caught off guard, sitting down, mind wondering, and not focused are classic mistakes. Nothing I can do now but dab the rear brake to induce a bit of slide to change directions, get the bike leaned over, butt cheek on the outside edge of the seat, then weight my outside peg and apply some generous throttle to bust through the silt pit in the corner.
That works most of the time.
At the bottom of this silt is a very hard rut or bump (it happened so fast I cant truly tell). It kicks my rear so hard I am looking down at my front fender instantly, while the rear of the bike is now rotating in the air to my left to meet the front... with the weight of the bags only amplifying this physics experiment....... with a huge silt cloud behind me. 
Doesnt take a genius to understand how this is going to end when the bike regains contact with terra firma. Hard fast highside tossing me a distance ahead of the bike. Thud... and ugghh... wind knocked out of me and hip in pain i can only think of self preservation by crawling to the side of the trail. My self preservation instinct is quickly replaced by horror when i realize that Daniel has also gone done in the silt.
The silt cloud is going to mask what is going on and what is hidden beneath it. I have to force my self up to stop a potential 6 bike train wreck. Daniel is stuck under his bike and I quickly ask if he is ok and can wait for help... he says yes. Just then Ian comes into the cloud and attempts to stop but knifes the front wheel and goes down hard. I walk through the cloud past Ian to see I think Dmitriy or Merlin and flag them to stop and warn Eric before going back to get Daniels bike off him (he is uninjured.) Ian has hit the side of the trail hard on his ribs. Bruised or broken, as dirtbikers, we all know how painful that injury can be. Its not life threatening and nothing we can do other than ride on. This is all on me and I feel awful about it.
After assessing and regrouping, we move on out of the dunes and into the flats. Easy smooth riding on the packed salt and sand. After bit we make it out to the fishing village of El Datil where we will take a break, eat lunch, pass out stickers, and converse with the local kids. One particular kid takes a real interest in our bikes and everything on it. Dmitriys bike has all kinds of cool electronic hacks AND a crazy horn. The kid takes an interest in the horns sound as do nearly all of the villages dog population.
Northward bound we ride more of the packed hard flats before gaining 10-15 of elevation to ride on top of low dunes in sand. Fun sand! No too deep, small whoops, and about 50 mph. Easy and fun. I believe Daniel mentions how he now enjoys the sand and Merlin...... Merlin is hauling ass compared to last year. Nice job and without a doubt most improved. Must be all the riding adventures this past year.
Nearing the lagoon the group picks up the graded gravel again and i continue to ride on a short bit of the fun track to the right of the grade. We have made great time and will hit the pavement into San Ignacio in no time.
Mid afternoon in San Ignacio we find Leo, Tom, and Scott already enjoying a beer in the old towns square. We join in and all order food as well. We hear that they had just met the owner of Ritchie bikes traveling on a KTM adventure with his new wife. A gentleman from Santa Rosa who is guiding the group on a pretty trick CRF450X has a beer with us. One of his guided patrons pulls up to the table in clean gear on his spotless KTM 690. Some of us notice his rear brake pedal nearly falling off... and..... Dr Jensen gets up from the table without a word and begins diagnosing!
After our mid afternoon food and beer we grab some ice cream a few doors down. The shop's owners have a son who speaks better english that I, has worked for Redbull and Monster as a translater, has met or knows all the big offroad names, and will be moving to Riverside with Walker Evans so he can attend college. This kid has it going on and a very bright future.
On to Rice and Beans for rooms, showers, and drinks. Over drinks we meet a great younger couple in their 30's from the Mtns of West Virginia. First time in Baja, semi dropping out a few months to explore. He has built himself an awesome DIY sportsmobile 4x4 van. We later learn that he has worked and owned all kinds cool enterprises from custom semis to custom motorcycles. We all enjoy the company and share stories and places for them to visit in Baja. Before leaving the next am I leave them with the color full size copies of the Baja Almanac Aaron had made before the trip. Rice and Beans was also the site of my largest bar tab in Baja this year. Lots of rounds of tequila.
Trip isnt over yet, but I am beginning to get that feeling of not wanting to leave. Great riding with great folks and meeting lots of interesting people.
One more day of riding......
Scorpion Bay to San Ignacio
At this point in the trip, two bikes are now down for the count. We left Aaron in Mulege with his KTM to arrange for a tow back north to Bola. Josh's KTM is now down for the count as well. In Scorpion Bay Josh has access to the internet, a motel, the owners of the regular restaurant with wifi and fluent english speakers, plus Manuel with a truck to help him arrange a ride north to Bola. He also has instructions of where to go for help in San Ignacio if thats as far as he can get a ride too. Josh put in a great effort and had quite the adventure.
We met a number of great folks in Scorpion Bay this year. One, a retired gentleman from Bend Oregon and his uber equipped Taco. I forget the name of the fold out tent camper he is using, but I am told its the Rolls Royce of tent pop ups. He also traversed the Calle de Muerte we rode last year in his Taco with a buddy following in his cool truck. I believe he is pictured in Dmitriys photo previously. Great guy and knew his Baja. I was a bit pessimistic at his claim at first, but after speaking with him I have no doubts any longer. They had to do a little trail building in a few spots to make it through.
Leo, Scott, and Tom are going to ride as group and leave first. Scott, aka Norcalslowpoke or Fabioso likes his early starts. He feels, and I agree, its a key to keep a group moving and on time. Fabioso did a fantastic job this year of keeping the group on track. With the exception of the previous days mechanicals, there was no night riding. Leo on the other hand always wants a sit down breakfast before going anywhere. So I have to light heartingly tease him about a 5:30 departure everyday.
The rest of us are going to ride as a group north up the flats together. I'm not in a hurry as its an easy route and I think Eric could use the extra sleep and time as he was up so late helping retrieve Josh's bike. Speaking of Eric and his bored out KLX250S, he is always riding his own pace and his own program. The first day on the way to PSF, I was slightly concerned. But as the trip progressed I quickly realized he is one of our most consistent riders. Surprised if he ever even dabbed a toe wrong the entire trip. The dust wouid settle on the trail as we regrouped and there would be Eric, like Don Quixote's side kick Sancho Panza. The sane one, reliable one, always there. Big props Eric, would ride anywhere with you!
I keep getting distracted down on the beach trying to pack and load up my bike for the day. So many nice folks I cant help but continue conversations. For folks that know me, I have an opinion on everything (wrong as often as right), and like to gab. Its my favorite part of dirt biking and travelling. Meeting new folks and sharing stories.
Eventually I get geared up and on the bike to ride from the beach up to the motel where the group will meet. All together now we start north on the gravel road a few miles before heading west to and around the dunes with the flats just beyond that. I am leading at a moderate pace of 50mph or so on what seems like a relatively new graded track through the dunes and can see the old track to the side that is deep and sandy. I swore we rode it last year. Thinking to myself how nice and easy this is now, my mind kinda wonders. Around a right corner then sharp semi blind left I am greeted by a deep pit of silt.........
Being caught off guard, sitting down, mind wondering, and not focused are classic mistakes. Nothing I can do now but dab the rear brake to induce a bit of slide to change directions, get the bike leaned over, butt cheek on the outside edge of the seat, then weight my outside peg and apply some generous throttle to bust through the silt pit in the corner.
That works most of the time.
At the bottom of this silt is a very hard rut or bump (it happened so fast I cant truly tell). It kicks my rear so hard I am looking down at my front fender instantly, while the rear of the bike is now rotating in the air to my left to meet the front... with the weight of the bags only amplifying this physics experiment....... with a huge silt cloud behind me. Doesnt take a genius to understand how this is going to end when the bike regains contact with terra firma. Hard fast highside tossing me a distance ahead of the bike. Thud... and ugghh... wind knocked out of me and hip in pain i can only think of self preservation by crawling to the side of the trail. My self preservation instinct is quickly replaced by horror when i realize that Daniel has also gone done in the silt.
The silt cloud is going to mask what is going on and what is hidden beneath it. I have to force my self up to stop a potential 6 bike train wreck. Daniel is stuck under his bike and I quickly ask if he is ok and can wait for help... he says yes. Just then Ian comes into the cloud and attempts to stop but knifes the front wheel and goes down hard. I walk through the cloud past Ian to see I think Dmitriy or Merlin and flag them to stop and warn Eric before going back to get Daniels bike off him (he is uninjured.) Ian has hit the side of the trail hard on his ribs. Bruised or broken, as dirtbikers, we all know how painful that injury can be. Its not life threatening and nothing we can do other than ride on. This is all on me and I feel awful about it.
After assessing and regrouping, we move on out of the dunes and into the flats. Easy smooth riding on the packed salt and sand. After bit we make it out to the fishing village of El Datil where we will take a break, eat lunch, pass out stickers, and converse with the local kids. One particular kid takes a real interest in our bikes and everything on it. Dmitriys bike has all kinds of cool electronic hacks AND a crazy horn. The kid takes an interest in the horns sound as do nearly all of the villages dog population.
Northward bound we ride more of the packed hard flats before gaining 10-15 of elevation to ride on top of low dunes in sand. Fun sand! No too deep, small whoops, and about 50 mph. Easy and fun.
I believe Daniel mentions how he now enjoys the sand and Merlin...... Merlin is hauling ass compared to last year. Nice job and without a doubt most improved. Must be all the riding adventures this past year. Nearing the lagoon the group picks up the graded gravel again and i continue to ride on a short bit of the fun track to the right of the grade. We have made great time and will hit the pavement into San Ignacio in no time.
Mid afternoon in San Ignacio we find Leo, Tom, and Scott already enjoying a beer in the old towns square. We join in and all order food as well. We hear that they had just met the owner of Ritchie bikes traveling on a KTM adventure with his new wife. A gentleman from Santa Rosa who is guiding the group on a pretty trick CRF450X has a beer with us. One of his guided patrons pulls up to the table in clean gear on his spotless KTM 690. Some of us notice his rear brake pedal nearly falling off... and..... Dr Jensen gets up from the table without a word and begins diagnosing!
After our mid afternoon food and beer we grab some ice cream a few doors down. The shop's owners have a son who speaks better english that I, has worked for Redbull and Monster as a translater, has met or knows all the big offroad names, and will be moving to Riverside with Walker Evans so he can attend college. This kid has it going on and a very bright future.
On to Rice and Beans for rooms, showers, and drinks. Over drinks we meet a great younger couple in their 30's from the Mtns of West Virginia. First time in Baja, semi dropping out a few months to explore. He has built himself an awesome DIY sportsmobile 4x4 van. We later learn that he has worked and owned all kinds cool enterprises from custom semis to custom motorcycles. We all enjoy the company and share stories and places for them to visit in Baja. Before leaving the next am I leave them with the color full size copies of the Baja Almanac Aaron had made before the trip. Rice and Beans was also the site of my largest bar tab in Baja this year. Lots of rounds of tequila.
Trip isnt over yet, but I am beginning to get that feeling of not wanting to leave. Great riding with great folks and meeting lots of interesting people.
One more day of riding......
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Leo_jb
City boy
Tom handing out stickers after lunch in Santa Rosalia
Kaboom #1
At the hotel in Mulege
Service entrance running across the roof deck. At least the insulation looked pretty good.
Our hotel in Mulege
On the road from Mulege to Scorpion Bay
CJ coming close to having his own Huachinango moment.
Leo_jb
City boy
Scott, Daniel, and Tom make it through
Tom and Daniel through another crossing
Daniel climbing out of the arroyo
GreenHornet
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2006
- Location
- Sac Town
- Moto(s)
- 2019 r 1250 gs, 2002 998, 99 R6 Track Bike, 99 Yz 250, 2001 540 Exc, 2018 Benelli tnt 135
Hey Dani, doing fine in my old age haven't been sport biking much these days.Looking forward to more epic pics.
Sorry to read that your adventure ended prematurely Aaron.
Josh, too! Man Josh, it's been forever, how ya doing?
slupcho
New member
- Joined
- May 3, 2015
- Location
- Park City
- Moto(s)
- BMW, Triumph, Suzuki, KTM, Kawaski, Custom Chopper
- Name
- Shawn
Since the 805 is a bias ply, it has a much thicker side wall than most radial tires. When running a lower PSI for the soft dirt, bais ply tires inherent lack of flex also means the sidewall won’t "wash out" in a turn as easily as a radial.
Talking with Fran and the number of flats he got running a radial, I am more than ever a believer in bias ply tires for Baja. The 805 I was running is actually on it's second Baja trip. Considering that I got over 6K out of a knobby with two trip to Baja and only one flat, (nail in BdLA) I would highly recommend this tire!
Hope our paths cross again. Perhaps, I might tag along with you fella's next year? I do have a proper "thumper" baja bike.
Lunch Box
Useful idiot
Hey Shawn! Sorry I didn't get to chat with you much (I was one of the two guys who was out LATE on Saturday night, stuck on the trail). I need to buy some of those socks you were giving out, as they seem fantastic. I've had Moto Skivees for about a year and a half now (Bought them at the IMS in San Mateo) and I absolutely love them. I wore them almost exclusively in Baja this year, and they served me well. Thanks for making such a cool product!
Also:
for sticking us with Fran. (Kidding, he's awesome) slupcho
New member
- Joined
- May 3, 2015
- Location
- Park City
- Moto(s)
- BMW, Triumph, Suzuki, KTM, Kawaski, Custom Chopper
- Name
- Shawn
Lunch Box, Thanks for the endorsement. If you got the short at IMS San Mateo you bought them from me. Thanks!!!Hey Shawn! Sorry I didn't get to chat with you much (I was one of the two guys who was out LATE on Saturday night, stuck on the trail). I need to buy some of those socks you were giving out, as they seem fantastic. I've had Moto Skivees for about a year and a half now (Bought them at the IMS in San Mateo) and I absolutely love them. I wore them almost exclusively in Baja this year, and they served me well. Thanks for making such a cool product!
Also:
Let me know where you are in SF area. Moto-Skiveez® are actually in stock at Scuderia, if you are familiar with that shop. You should be able to pick up a pair of the socks there. Thanks again for the support!
1962siia
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2013
- Location
- Rohnert Park
- Moto(s)
- 350exc-f
Aermacchi/HD Sprint 250ss
950 ADV
C&J XL350
T100SC
Guzzi hotrod
- Name
- Daniel
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 424261
Shawn thanks again for the socks! I just left a review on your website, and I'll be back soon for more socks and those adventure skiveez!
Dmitriy
test
Of the Polygamy variety? Either way between Wasatch, Epic and Squatters (those are just the ones I frequented the most on WSBK weekends at Miller, ofcouse we have also frequented Uinta and Red Rock too) That sounds like an offer I can't refuse! Plus my friends live in Murray.
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HadesOmega
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2008
- Location
- San Jose
- Moto(s)
- Empulse TT (RIP),
ZR7 (Sold), DR650, KLR650, 750 Turbo, Light Bee MX, KLX140L
Super Cub
Redshift SM
- Name
- Merlin
Whoa awesome picture!
Dmitriy
test
Daniel in continued tradition here is your new avatar from this years trip:
Leo_jb
City boy
Sunset at Scorpion Bay
Real men don't sleep in hotel rooms
Dmitriy's awesome hammock setup
Where the rest of us (wimps) stayed
Fish camp on the Pacific side north of Scorpion Bay. Very remote.
Scott handing out stickers to the kids.
The salt flats. You could actually see the illusion of water in the distance. Kept receding as you rode. Just like in the movies.
This picture
Plus this picture
Equals this picture. Los Tres Amigos (with a little help from photoshop).
Notice my shadow is not pointing the right way.
Mi Huachinango
All together again in San Ignacio
My awesome fix to hold my rotor shield on after the bolt vibrated off - a zip tie and half a clothespin. The same thing happened to Tom, but he opted not to use the other half of the clothespin and carried his the rest of the trip.
The survivors lined up at Rice and Beans
The Doctor's work is never done
The road back to BOLA
Kaboom #3
1962siia
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2013
- Location
- Rohnert Park
- Moto(s)
- 350exc-f
Aermacchi/HD Sprint 250ss
950 ADV
C&J XL350
T100SC
Guzzi hotrod
- Name
- Daniel
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 424261
Classic! I can't believe how lucky it was I found his phone. Hadn't even gotten my helmet off before that drink was in my hand. Thanks Fran!
Awesome pics Leo!
Awesome pics Leo!
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