Haulin' Bass in Baja
Big weekend of chopper good times to report from EDR Central. Friday morning Bill, Chris and I picked up EDR alum Joel in San Diego and headed to San Felipe and Ensenada to TCB with our hosts at Ruben's Camp and Hotel San Isabel. Both gentlemen have assured us that everything is coming together smoothly. Aaron at Ruben's Camp in San Felipe told us that only there is still plenty of room in his palapa huts and on his beach for no-frills camping and fun. If you were thinking about waiting till the last minute to book your accommodations in San Felipe, better re-tool that notion... Kiki's Hotel next door to Ruben's Camp is at 100% pre-book occupancy. Bill will be posting information for alternate hotels in San Felipe for anyone who requires indoor accommodations, or you can simply strap your bedroll to your sissy bar and take your chances. All I'm trying to say is this: EDR 2008 is shaping up to be a big one, so you better move fast.
Speaking of moving fast, on our drive across Baja we encountered a new section of pot holes. A couple were so big you could fish in them after the rains. Chris didn't land the big one, but he got a couple nibbles. The four of us elected to screw down our pace on this year's ED, Doing so may spare our rims a serious bitch slapping, and it will give us a chance to take in the sights. All the rain has left the Mexican penninsula particularly beautiful and verdant this spring, so the views will be impressive.
We marked Baja Highway 3 with a Biltwell stencil in a couple particularly nasty areas. Keep your eyes peeled on this tricky section of tarmac and you might survive the westerly leg of the EDR on day three with little or no drama.
Returning to the subject of accommodations, Juan Carlos at The Hotel San Isabel in Ensenada told us that only 15 to 17 of his 57 rooms remain unbooked as of 1/21/08. It's January, Runners! If you haven't booked your room at the host hotel in Ensenada yet, do so immediately. Last year all 57 of the Hotel San Isabel's rooms were occupied by Diablo Runners. Something tells me by Valentine's Day every room at the Hotel San Isabel will be spoken for. If this is the case, contact Juan Carlos and tell him to reserve a room for you and your crew at one of the neighboring hotels on the Ensenada strip.