I didn't plan on writing any sort of ride report as this was just a quick 3-4 day run into Baja to get comfortable crossing the border and seeing what was there so I apologize for the poor quality/lack of photos that I took. Two things I learned was 1) check out your gear a week ahead of time (at least) as I found out my camera that took this picture in the summer;
could no longer access the SD card to save pictures so I had to use my cell phone and my gopro to get photos, 2) Clear out the gopro memory card each day (had a MacBook Air with me so I could have done so) so that when you think you are filming, the camera has not shut off due to lack of space on the card. Anyways here are some shots from my trip.
The beach at San Felipe where I stayed my first night in Baja.
The road south out of San Felipe (Mexico 5). Notice the road surface just below my left hand, lots of small rocks that probably speed up tire wear.
Fly or ride? Better take the left here.
Bacon crossing the road ahead! Be careful!
I think this means slow down but my Spanish isn't all that good.
My first off road excursion, there was an abandoned structure just off the road so I decided to take a gander up the small hill and see how the bike did (it did just fine)
Hmm they seem in a hurry, at least they have no interest in me.
As you head south on Mex 5 you will come across Cowpatty which I'm lead to believe is a must stop so I did. Turns out so did the Police, it was near lunch time.
So Mexican food for Lunch? Nope they sell hot dogs :drool.
Last chance for gas is at Puertecitos a small fishing village, the water here was a fantastic color but the camera did not pick it up very well.
Not too far after Puertecitos the paved road ends and the 20ish miles of dirt begins.
I don't really think you need a painted rock to find Coco's corner but hey here it is.
Another picture of the desert along Mex 5, very pretty and I had great weather.
After Mex 5 deadends into Mex 1 the pavement begins again and it is smooth sailing to Bahia de Los Angles, here I am right at the town entrance and they have this sail boat thingy. My Spanish is good enough to know Alto.
Spent the night in BoLA and headed home the next day, There was gas in town but no more until you hit El Rosaio 187 miles later. I was sure the bike could make it no problem but I was fighting a head/cross wind and about halfway along you find this;
Gas out of drums, it was about 1.5 times the cost of Pemex gas but I figured it was good insurance that I could reach the towns on the Pacific side of Baja. I got a gallon of gas and the bike ran it just fine.
This is the last picture I have, taken just off Mex 1 near the Pacific on my way home. I crossed the boarder at San Isidro and it was very busy but somehow I managed to bypass most of the cars and ended up in line about 3 cars back from the border. No hassle getting out of Mexico, just took off my helmet and showed my Passport and away I went.
So there you go, a solo trip into Mexico and I didn't get kidnapped once! The most dangerous part of the trip was the LA and San Diego traffic I had to ride through. Crossing into Mexico at Tecate was a good choice, nobody stopped me and it took all of 30 seconds to get out of the U.S. and into Mexico, I was laughing to myself after having so many questions about the process and what issues I may run into.
As a final note I was in BoLA on Christmas Eve and the hotel owner invited me to a special dinner he was having for his workers. I was sitting at a table of 20 Mexican nationals and only 3 teenagers spoke any real English but I had such a great time with the entire group it was quite an experience.