Wow. Baja, what can I say? It's like a whole different world. Now, I have been going down there my whole life mind you, but it seems everytime I go it is a whole new thing, a whole new adventure, like nothing else in this world. The second you cross the border your heart rate goes up (well at least mine does) and you get into baja mode.So my dad and I got up extra early and met up with Joe who was gonna finish the race when I 
got off the bike at race mile 192. We crossed the border and in no time we were going past the arches at San Felipe, a "small" fishing town with more Off-Road racing history than dirt itself!! I was so stoked to be back in "San Felo" after a one year hiatus of the host city for the annual "Baja 250". We rolled into contingency and as always the street was bustling with locals, racers, cars, vendors, the works. After awhile I was able to get ahold of my team and check out the new bike. Dang, she was a beuty...top notch bike all prepped and ready to go, this gave me some serious motivation. After continjency it was time to get down to business, we packed everything and headed out of town to where I was to get on the bike at about race mile 120. Well, that just happened to be at the farthest end of the course and it took my dad and I a good 2 hours of off-road driving to get to the spot. regardless of the long drive, the desert was epic. huge mountains to the West and green, rugged desert for as far as the eye can see, Baja at it's best.
got off the bike at race mile 192. We crossed the border and in no time we were going past the arches at San Felipe, a "small" fishing town with more Off-Road racing history than dirt itself!! I was so stoked to be back in "San Felo" after a one year hiatus of the host city for the annual "Baja 250". We rolled into contingency and as always the street was bustling with locals, racers, cars, vendors, the works. After awhile I was able to get ahold of my team and check out the new bike. Dang, she was a beuty...top notch bike all prepped and ready to go, this gave me some serious motivation. After continjency it was time to get down to business, we packed everything and headed out of town to where I was to get on the bike at about race mile 120. Well, that just happened to be at the farthest end of the course and it took my dad and I a good 2 hours of off-road driving to get to the spot. regardless of the long drive, the desert was epic. huge mountains to the West and green, rugged desert for as far as the eye can see, Baja at it's best.
So morning came and I took my time getting up. By this time we had fired up the radio and were listening to the injury reports coming in...two code reds within the first 15 miles of the race, one guy was already getting life-flighted to San Diego. Not what you want to hear before you get on the bike. Next thing I knew the 1x bike of Robby Bell comes SCREAMING by and the helicopter buzzes us overhead, It occurs to me that the field is coming and I REALLY need to get ready. I get all my gear on, make sure the radio works and wait for the bike to arrive.
The next 2.5 hours or so were like a blur. All I remember is getting on the bike and my dad telling me over the radio to be safe, don't get crazy and the one I remember best; The trophy trucks have not even started yet. After hearing that I relaxed...well kinda. Through my 7o-something mile section however, I lost a foot peg guard, the rear brakes and I got a flat, add to that my pit crew was nowhere to be found (they got stuck in the sand on their way to me) when I needed a tire change/gas.
At the end of the day we finished, bike and bodies battered with a 5th place in the pro 450cc class...awesome.
Adventure no doubt, baja is unique and I love the thrill of being down there.
2 comments:
Good job placing 5th with all those problems! That sounds awesome. I need to get down there sometime.
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