LAST-MINUTE EDR CHECK LIST
The EDR pulls out of Temecula in nine days. First-time Diablo Runner William from San Diego stopped by this afternoon to ask if we had room for his 2-gallon gas can in our chase vehicle. I told him if he brought it with him to the EDR pre-party at Biltwell HQ on April 18th, probably yes, but only because he asked. His other smart questions prompted me to make this last-minute checklist for first-time guys on next week's ride:
1) If you think your bike might run out of gas, make your own provisions for bringing extra fuel, or be prepared to wait for our chase truck to arrive. If it does, be willing to chip in a couple bucks for the life-saving top-off.
2) If you think your bike might break down at any point during the run, bring your own ratcheting tie-down straps. We're providing one chase trailer, but it only has 2 sets of tie-downs and those are already called for, or will be occupied by other broken bikes by the time you hit the curb.
3) Bring toilet paper.
4) Bring money. I recommend at least $100 per day to cover shelter, food, booze, the police, etc.
5) Be self-sufficient, self-confident, self-aware and self-contained. We can't stress this enough. The EDR is a freakout hellride into the heart of Baja with a pack of outlaw bikers; not a field trip to Sea World with your ninth-grade science class. Whining, douchebaggery and sundrie other lame actions will be dealt with harshly by seasoned vets on the ride.
6) Be prepared to fix a flat or two. Mexican roads are especially shitty, and spring showers bring out the worst in Baja's legendary pot holes. I recommend two tubes, but one patch kit MINIMUM is a must.
7) Ride single-file on two-lane mexican blacktop, not side-by-side in some HOG-approved touring formation. Doing so will allow you to dodge road debris, pot holes, fallen comrades, etc. The EDR is not a parade, and it's definitely not a race. Our friend TC from OC pre-ran the San Felipe route two weeks ago and a rider in his group DIED becuase he hit a pot hole, lost control and plowed into the dude next to him. A yard sale ensued, and one guy didn't get up. We're SERIOUS.
8) Think three times before acting once. Stupidity in Mexico earns dubious rewards.
9) Be prepared to help a friend in need. He'll reward you in kind at the cantina...
10) Have fun. We're wound tighter than a bull's ass at fly time around here because we know this year's ride is going to be a blast. That is if any of us gets to ride. Chris is still building pipes, my gas tank's still at the painter and Andy Dunn is still tweaking on Bill's carb.
Fuck. Some things never turn out the way you planned...
See you April 19th in San Felipe.