|
May
2002 - I receive a steady stream of
inquiries from across the nation-and the
world about how to go trail riding in Baja.
The inquiry usually goes something like
this:
"Me
and my buddy have been talking about this
for sometime, and now we want to do it.
We've always wanted to go trail riding in
Baja, but don't quite know how to go about
it. What makes it even harder is that we
don't live in California, or on the West
Coast. We live in New Hampshire (or Ohio,
or Indiana or... insert your state here)
and don't have a clue on where to start.
What kind of bikes should we use? How do
you set them up? Are there clubs or organizations
that will tell you where to get gas for
trail riding, or even pit support, should
we want to enter and race the Baja 1000?
There are lots of guys we ride with who
have been talking about a Baja riding/racing
vacation for years. Can you give us the
straight scoop?
Gratefully yours,
Two Guys From Back East Somewhere
- Your
best bet in bikes is a four-stroke, preferably
350cc and up in displacement. This will
let you gas up most anywhere without worrying
about mixing oil with your gas.
- Make
sure that you have a tank big enough to
allow you 125 to 150 miles range, at brisk
cruising speeds.
* Do not run a "hot" motor for
Mexico. Stock is good, and detuned is
even better. Consider that you might have
to run gas with an 82-octane (or less!)
rating in a pinch.
- Make
sure that your bike is fresh, from the
engine to the tires to the drive train.
Do not scrimp by using junk chains and
sprockets. Use quality 0-ring chain and
steel sprockets.
- Run
taller gearing than stock. Much of your
time will be spent cruising on smooth
dirt roads. The gearing lets your engine
loaf and increases gas mileage.
- If
you choose to ride a two-stroke, a 300/350
is a good choice, but make sure you have
an oversized gas tank.
- Do
not use soft-terrain tires. They will
wear quickly at high speeds and on occasional
pavement sections. A harder compound tire
is the ticket in Baja.
- Some
riders use the Bib Mousse tubeless foam-filled
tires, but I personally think they take
much of the pleasure out of riding the
bike. The feel is sluggish in normal terrain
and downright spooky on hard- packed dirt
roads.
- A
reasonable selection of tools and spares
is a must, but don't overload yourself.
- Good,
strong, comfortable riding gear should
be worn, but avoid new boots and helmets.
You don't want to spend half of your trail
ride breaking in stiff new gear. A sturdy
enduro-type jacket is mandatory, but make
sure it can be opened or unzipped for
proper ventilation during hot periods.
And yes, wear the jacket even in hot weather.
It offers a whole lot more protection
than a riding jersey.
- Have
your paperwork in order. A passport or
visa is handy, and basic ID is a must.
Carry your bike registration papers, but
not the title.
- Carry
most of your money in small denominations,
and also change some American dollars
into pesos at the border.
- Try
to get yourself into reasonable riding
condition. While much of Baja is easy
fun riding, you can become a real pain
in the butt to your group if you are tired
at 100 miles and there is still 100 to
go before nightfall.
- Put
together a good first-aid kit and carry
it somewhere on the bike.
- You
gotta have maps. The AAA (Automobile Club
of America) has a good one on Baja, and
it's free. Get several. You can also buy
a great map book at the border. The best
one is an oversized topo-map book that
sells for around 30 bucks, and all of
the Mexican auto insurance places at the
various border crossings have them for
sale. This book is neat in that it shows
canyons, rivers, washes, roads and even
coastal contours, making exploration not
only possible but actually easy!
- Contact
a dirt bike club in the area. District
38 (AMA) is a very active group in the
San Diego/El Cajon area. Get a copy of
Cycle News and check out names of clubs
in the events/calendar section. Then give
'em a call and ask if you could possibly
attend a club meeting and ask a few questions,
or even meet with some folks over a few
beers and talk about riding in Baja. You
will be amazed at how willing they will
be to give you friendly advice, especially
if you are buying the suds.
|
