Rosarito-Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico April 17, 2010

We missed the 2009 ride due to the fact that it was cancelled, then by the time they reorganized, it was too late to coordinate anyone to go along. We've always felt safe in Mexico, but I also like riding with our friends on this ride. In the distant past, we'd have 20-30 of us doing this ride, but this year it was just the 4 of us: John and Ginny from Denver, and Rasila and Rodney.

Rodney and Rasila both took Friday off to pick up John and Ginny at the San Diego Airport. We strapped the tandem and 2 mountain bikes on the back of the Explorer and were waiting in the cell phone waiting lot by 10:00 AM. We picked up John and Ginny and headed to Trader Joe's for bagels, bananas, and water. We topped off on gas and then headed for the border.

Rasila and Rodney usually head off in the afternoon and are crossing the border at rush hour, so it was pleasant to breeze right across and through Tijuana easily. We headed for lobster burritos at Puerto Nuevo, specifically Puerto Nuevo II. It was empty! People are so afraid to go to Baja that the businesses are on the verge of failing. It was very sad to see. We had a wonderful lunch and headed for Ensenada about 2 PM. We arrived at the Best Western El Cid and checked into our normal patio rooms, then John and Rodney went for some beer. The day was great weather for hanging out on the patio and relaxing. We then went for dinner at the restaurant that has the rotating chickens in the window (can't find the name of it) where dinner and a pitcher of margaritas was only $25! A quick trip to Hussong's and then to bed for the ride.

The next morning we got up and made a trip to coffee shop around the corner, then bagels and bananas for breakfast before heading over to catch the shuttle bus to Rosarito Beach. It is a short 1 hour drive up the Toll Road to Rosarito. We were dropped off about 2 miles north, then had to ride to the start line. We skipped the customary pre ride beer since John and Ginny had to register. Rodney took the opportunity to buy a jersey since this year's had a desert scape, a jumping marlin, the outline of the Baja peninsula, and wine grapes to make a great looking jersey. We stopped at our favorite first stopping point, Cantamar, and were once again, the only patrons. The owner said spring break, normally a wild time, was dead, and that he would be out of business by the fall if things didn't change. We had our drinks and pressed on, stopping at the tamale stop, at just past 30 miles, for lunch. There was a cute Australian Cattle Dog there that Rasila fed. We then hopped back on and made it into Ensenada for a total time elapsed of about 3.5 hours. We had fish tacos at the fiesta, then headed back to the hotel and hung out on the patio waiting for John and Ginny. Ginny always is slightly lagging since she never trains for this ride. Since she runs, she has the general good shape, but I'm always impressed she can do it that way. We had dinner at the taco shop next to Hussong's. John and Rodney enjoyed Hussong's while Ginny and Rasila had wine at the wine shop across the street.

The next morning, we got up, packed up and headed back to San Diego. The line was fairly short (45 min) for crossing back into the US. We then met folks at the Cass St. Bar and Grill for lunch before heading to a friends place for the afternoon. We then dropped John and Ginny back at the airport before driving back to Irvine. It was a great weekend and we're looking forward to next Spring's ride!