The Flight of Bear Canada

Day 19 - May 1st
Tijuana, to La Rosario
Well I was too clever for my own good. The road to my hotel was actually closed for road work. I had managed to squeeze in. I did this for several reasons. One was that I knew the place and knew that my bike was safe in there. The second reason if it was difficult for me to get in, then thieves would have a harder time getting out. That was all a fine and dandy stroke of genius. Well until the roadwork crew went to work. Apparently road work is done at night. And they use concrete. And concrete trucks are not quiet. Did I mention that earplugs are priceless?

The next day I checked out and rode out on a small strip of gravel that was still unpaved. I headed south . It was a bit chilly due to the proximity of the sea. I did run into several army checkpoints, two waved me through while the third just gave me a cursory inspection. The road had gotten much better after Tijuana. Heck a lot of stuff got better after Tijuana. I mean it was still dirty and dusty but not as much of it. One thing I did find interesting was the Mexican talent for non-completion. There were a few buildings that were partially started or partially torn-down. The road was nice and twisty in parts. But do be careful of pulling off the roadway since there is usually a nice drop from the pavement onto the dirt.

0374

The Baja

0375

Mexican roads are awesome, just watch for the cross ditches.*
Actually I'm pulling your leg, the real road and bridge are off to the right in excellent condition

I rolled into Rosario early. I had to fight with myself to keep going for an hour, or listen to Ismael's suggestion of a place to stay and eat. Well I though Ismael knew better, and he was right on both counts. The Baja Cactus Hotel was a nice and neat play to stay. Immaculate rooms, hot shower internet, comfy bed. The restaurant next door was an even better surprise. Apparently Mama Espinoza's restaurant has been a checkpoint for the Baja 1000 from 1967 to 2006. Autographed posters from almost every racer lined the walls. And the food was good too.

0379

Third world squalor for $30 US a night.

0384

The ceiling at Mama Espinoza's

The only downside to being near such a motorsports hotspot is being serenaded by the sounds of two-stroke dirtbikes. Now what is Spanish for "get a tune-up and a muffler!"

0383

Some coolness outside of Mama Espinoza's, a Ural 750 sidehack for Baja prerunning duties.

Day 20 - May 2nd
El Rosario to Santa Rosalia

Today was a nice long haul kind of day. The road did meander a bit to start. But after San Ignacio, it started to straighten out. The only exciting part was the twisty steep decent to the coastal town of Santa Rosalia. One thing to keep an eye on is the truckers. They have a tendency to us the right signal when it is clear to pass. Mighty courteous of them, if you can make sense of it.

0386

Catavina boulder fields

0388

One of the bigger shrines on the side of the roads.

0394

My Strom at Catavina

0395

The sign says Abierto = Open. Well it is open to an extent, open to the sky, open to the elements...

I also ran into other motorcycle riders from Cranbrook, BC. And as I wrote this, a couple of cyclists dropped in to say hi. One of the rider's has a BMW, so he could relate. But anyone cycling the Baja, has to get kudos for their efforts