Southern California - The Last Rosarito-Ensenada Ride

After almost thirty years, the 50 mile Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Bike Ride is ending.
If you've ever wanted to do this ride, September 27 will be your last chance.
Their website is: www.rosaritoensenada.com (http://www.rosaritoensenada.com)

They advertised the "last ride" about 5 years ago but on the day of that ride they announced it would return. Hoping the same thing happens again this time. Wonder if this is a result of lower attendance due to the increase of crime in Baja. If so that's too bad. It's a great ride.

It is a great ride, and the scenery's a lot different than what you're probably used to. Definitely go if you have a chance.

They advertised the "last ride" about 5 years ago but on the day of that ride they announced it would return. Hoping the same thing happens again this time. Wonder if this is a result of lower attendance due to the increase of crime in Baja. If so that's too bad. It's a great ride.

The "last ride" from five years ago had to do with a change in ownership, because the ride promoter was retiring. At the last minute someone stepped up and bought the rights to continue.
Yeah, acording to the website- ridership is suffering due to the ill-conceived notion that baja is a dangerous place. Also many people think that you need a passport to cross the border- this is not true.

Too bad, this was a classic ride.

[QUOTE=maxglide;7279842]ridership is suffering due to the ill-conceived notion that baja is a dangerous place.

QUOTE]

Well, in numbers I would do Baja. By myself I don't drive solo down there anymore.

Too many surfers get hassled, robbed and jobbed down there. Go to some surfer forums and do a search for 'Baja' stories. A lot of the robberies and worse never make the news - but the word does get around.

The Tecate ti Ensenada was a much better and harder ride at 70'ish miles. The hassle factor of getting back to the start of the ride and border crossing was huge in the late 1980s. Now it is a hassle and dangerous...

[QUOTE=maxglide;7279842]ridership is suffering due to the ill-conceived notion that baja is a dangerous place.

QUOTE]

Well, in numbers I would do Baja. By myself I don't drive solo down there anymore.

Too many surfers get hassled, robbed and jobbed down there. Go to some surfer forums and do a search for 'Baja' stories. A lot of the robberies and worse never make the news - but the word does get around.
I've NEVER heard of any of riders in this bike ride being "robbed or worse".
If you don't want any transportation hassles check out www.outback-adventures.com

This ride was fun. I did it 6 times during the early 90's.

But now if I wanted to ride with a crowd and have beer I can do that locally on any of the Ridazz rides. :D

I did it in 94; would never do it again. Too many instances of hurt riders being extorted for thousands of dollars before receiving medical aid. That country is so damn corrupt I'll never go back.

It was a fun ride, and I had a great time. It's too bad the government can't keep things under control anymore.

I did it in 94; would never do it again. Too many instances of hurt riders being extorted for thousands of dollars before receiving medical aid. That country is so damn corrupt I'll never go back.

It was a fun ride, and I had a great time. It's too bad the government can't keep things under control anymore.

??????? You've got to love these forums- where else can some knucklehead make wacky statements and get away with it. The only medical aid on the race course is provided by Balboa Ambulance- an American company....

The registration is still really cheap. I'm surprised they don't just raise it by $5 or something and still make a profit if 5000 riders is their current break-even. I don't think anyone's going to reconsider doing the ride because it's $5 more expensive.

The border crossing is definitely a PITA, though. It took 2 hours to get through last time I did it. I imagine the belief of the need for passports now is what contributed to the decline, not fears of being robbed. Not everyone has a passport and the process to get one isn't something many people would go through just for this ride.

I imagine the belief of the need for passports now is what contributed to the decline, not fears of being robbed. Not everyone has a passport and the process to get one isn't something many people would go through just for this ride.

The only things you need to get across the border by ground transportation is- a drivers lic. and a birth certificate.
A passport is not!! required.

i'll be there this year. did it last september. sad that this is gonna be the last one too. :(

fyi, for the cheapest tequila to take home, go to the big supermarkets.

The only things you need to get across the border by ground transportation is- a drivers lic. and a birth certificate.
A passport is not!! required.That's why I said "belief" - it was widely reported that you would need a passport. Which was the plan, but pushed back to 2009.

That's why I said "belief" - it was widely reported that you would need a passport. Which was the plan, but pushed back to 2009.
You are absolutely right Magicant. Didn't mean to diss you.
I was just emphasizing the point because, as you mentioned- it is widely believed that passports are required.

??????? You've got to love these forums- where else can some knucklehead make wacky statements and get away with it. The only medical aid on the race course is provided by Balboa Ambulance- an American company....

See here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html

Specifically:


Mexican Law

While traveling in Mexico, American citizens are subject to Mexican law. An arrest or accident in Mexico can result in a difficult legal or medical situation, sometimes at a great expense to the traveler. Mexican law can impose harsh penalties for violations that would be considered minor in the United States, and U.S. citizenship in no way exempts one from full prosecution under the Mexican criminal justice system. If U.S. citizens find themselves in legal trouble, they should contact the closest U.S. Consulate, U.S. Consular Agency, or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. (see "Contact Information" below). U.S. consular officials in Mexico can visit detained American citizens in prison, provide information about the Mexican legal system, and furnish a list of Mexican attorneys, among other assistance. U.S. Consular officials cannot arrange for Mexican officials to release detained American citizens.

And here:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Nov_9/ai_57438234


Mexican authorities refused to release two passengers injured in the weekend accident from jail for medical treatment until they posted bail. One critically injured passenger was held for nearly a day, according to newspaper accounts, until his parents arrived from San Francisco with $11,000 in bail money.

You might be fine with Mexican liability insurance, but there's been plenty of other cases reported on local radio and in the L.A. Times about people down there on vacation who get injured in an accident, and the police hold them until their families cough up cash.

All I'm saying is it's a dirty government, and I'm not going there ever again.

Done it about 7 times. I quit riding it figuring if I want to ride really crappy roads, I can do it locally on the Palmspring century!:roflmao2:

But really, IMO, the roads are better than PS!:p

You might be fine with Mexican liability insurance, but there's been plenty of other cases reported on local radio and in the L.A. Times about people down there on vacation who get injured in an accident, and the police hold them until their families cough up cash.

All countries have laws that prevent people from leaving skipping out on your financial obligations. Most of your reply was taken out of context, as it had to do with uninsured motorists involved in an injury accident.
Your previous statement was -" Too many instances of hurt riders being extorted for thousands of dollars before receiving medical aid". That my friend, is an out and out falsehood.

bump

The "last ride" from five years ago had to do with a change in ownership, because the ride promoter was retiring. At the last minute someone stepped up and bought the rights to continue.
Yeah, acording to the website- ridership is suffering due to the ill-conceived notion that baja is a dangerous place. Also many people think that you need a passport to cross the border- this is not true.
Too bad, this was a classic ride.

Fail.

I think what has everyone concerned lately are the stories about all the kidnappings. There's another one in today's UT. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080830/news_1n30kidnap.html According to the article there have been 22 reported kidnappings this year and they estimate as many as 200. The victims don't appear to be chosen randomly and are almost all from families doing business in Tijuana. This would be out of the almost 40 million people who cross at San Ysidro every year.

The world is a dangerous place and cycling can be a dangerous sport. If you head down for the this the most dangerous thing you will do that day is the ride itself. With over 5000 people on the road many who are drinking along the way and have never done an organized ride this can be a bit crazy. On the other hand if you get an elite start or start close to the front it clears out fairly well in a few miles and is a great ride with zero stops.

My biggest concern is the wait at the border. Seems to get worse every ride.

damn, i've always wanted to do this, too. oh well.

i'm doing it

farewell ride

I think what has everyone concerned lately are the stories about all the kidnappings. There's another one in today's UT. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080830/news_1n30kidnap.html According to the article there have been 22 reported kidnappings this year and they estimate as many as 200. The victims don't appear to be chosen randomly and are almost all from families doing business in Tijuana. This would be out of the almost 40 million people who cross at San Ysidro every year.

The world is a dangerous place and cycling can be a dangerous sport. If you head down for the this the most dangerous thing you will do that day is the ride itself. With over 5000 people on the road many who are drinking along the way and have never done an organized ride this can be a bit crazy. On the other hand if you get an elite start or start close to the front it clears out fairly well in a few miles and is a great ride with zero stops.

My biggest concern is the wait at the border. Seems to get worse every ride.

I work in Tijuana two or three times a week. I have ridden bicycles and motorcycles throughout Baja, and I have competed in many organized cycling events south of the border. The Rosarito to Ensenada ride is fun. If you want to avoid all the craziness, start up front, and keep your pace up for the first 1/3 of the ride.

As far as kidnappings and robberies, these are two entirely separate types of crime. The kidnappings are being perpetrated against the owners and operators of the maquiladoras, narco traficantes (drug traffickers), and family members of the same. The Arrellano Felix Organization used to control all drug trade in the northern Baja corridor. They started to blow up about 4 years ago, and a turf war ensued. The Gulf cartel, the Sinaloan cartel, and a number of independent operators have moved in and are trying to assert themselves. At the same time, the U.S. government has increased enforcement along the border. As a result, the quantity of drugs coming across has fallen off dramatically. Thousands of persons who used to make their money off of the drug trade are now, for a lack of a better term, unemployed. As a result, many have turned to kidnappings to support their lifestyle, as well as to exact revenge on rival cells. If you are not "in the business," your chances of getting kidnapped in Baja are probably only slightly higher than getting hit by frozen waste from passing jet.

Robberies are a different story; they are far more common and, unlike kidnappings, often target gringo tourists. To avoid robberies, stay away from night clubs after midnight, adult entertainment (strip clubs, massage parlors, etc.) after midnight (or altogether if you want to avoid a trip to the apothecary :lol:), and the cuota after dark! The cuota (or route 1D) is the toll rode that takes you from the Playas region of Tijuana to Ensenada.

Robbers have been cruising the cuota in faux 'unmarked' police cars, pulling over expensive vehicles, and robbing their occupants. Please note, though, that even though this has happened on a number of occasions, it still is pretty rare. The authorities have taken several steps in the past few months to make things safer including increased police and army patrols. As a result, the cuota is much safer than it was last Fall, when a member of the MacMillan team was robbed of his vehicle and money on the way home from the Baja 1000.

If you drive the cuota at night, do not stop for an unmarked car. There are no unmarked patrols on the cuota. If you are being stopped, feel free to turn on your blinker and wait to pull over until you arrive at the next caseta de cobro (toll booth) or populated area.

Mexico is a wonderful place, and as long as you use common sense, it is a great place to ride and play. If anybody has any questions about travel down there, or where to stay in Ensenada (which I HIGHLY recommend following the ride because of the number of borrochos driving back at night), feel free to pm me.

Cheers

El Pelon

Kidnappings are on the rise, and there is speculation that very often the police are involved: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-kidnap1-2008sep01,0,4003595.story

Like I said earlier I've done this ride a few times during the 90's and I had some good times.

But if I were to do another huge fun ride I can do them here in SoCal. No reason to go to Rosarito for one.

Kidnappings are on the rise, and there is speculation that very often the police are involved: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-kidnap1-2008sep01,0,4003595.story

There are two types of people in the world- One goes out and lives life to the fullest, and the other believes everything they read in the LA Times, and sits at home with triple locked doors.

Like I said earlier I've done this ride a few times during the 90's and I had some good times.

But if I were to do another huge fun ride I can do them here in SoCal. No reason to go to Rosarito for one.

You are right. There are some great rides in SoCal. No doubt about it! But this is the last of a great ride. And you have to admit- there's something about Baja...

anyone else goin?

im going, i hope i can pickup some tequila while im down there

[quote=obie;7281899]
I've NEVER heard of any of riders in this bike ride being "robbed or worse".
If you don't want any transportation hassles check out www.outback-adventures.com (http://www.outback-adventures.com)

I have. I have multiple examples. I had have customers of mine have their cars broken into and their bikes stolen while they were enjoying the festivities after the ride. One customer in particular came into the store and bought two Kestrels. One a Talon SL with Dura-Ace and the other a standard Talon with Ultegra. He and his brother were so excited to do the ride and they bought the bikes just for this ride. On Monday when they came into the store they were not so excited anymore.

This ride, like most things south of the border, sucks. You have to get much further south to enjoy the beauty and splendor of Mexico. This ride is way too inconvenient. The logistics, the quantity (too many) of the riders and the quality (lack thereof) of the riders. Why should you have to pay $35-$40 (w/ late fee) for 50 mile ride . I'm glad to see this ride go away. Now I won't have to be asked by some fred "oh are you doing the Rosorita-Ensenada ride?"

"This ride, like most things south of the border, sucks."

I guess that's why this ride received "Best Ride in Socal" by Competitor Magazine in 2007
By the way do you happen to have the stats on car break-ins and bike thefts in Huntington Beach on any given weekend? And what's wrong with being a "fred", you elitist snob.

"This ride, like most things south of the border, sucks."

I guess that's why this ride received "Best Ride in Socal" by Competitor Magazine in 2007
By the way do you happen to have the stats on car break-ins and bike thefts in Huntington Beach on any given weekend? And what's wrong with being a "fred", you elitist snob.

Hey man, no need for personal attacks... Vireo is entitled to his opinion and you are entitled to yours. And just because a cycling magazine calls a ride "best ride in socal" doesn't necessarily make it the gospel.

I've had nothing but BAD experiences just south of the border and I wholeheartedly agree with Vireo on the fact that in order to TRULY enjoy Mexico you gotta go way down south.

You are absolutely right- Baja does get better the further south you travel.
But I don't really believe that that's the point here. He is right that the logistics on this ride are tough, every year, sitting in the border line- I swear it's my last. But some how I always go back (glutten for punishment I guess).
If I'm nor mistaken- The Competitor Magazine awards are voted on by readers in a "Best of" survey.

If Jesus is watching, can bad things happen?

http://www.k38realestate.com/images/baja-jesus-statue.jpg

LOL... I never thought they'd finish that. Every year we would ride by it laying on the ground alone the route, and a little more would be done. (must have been 4-5 years ?) Glad to see it's up. Actually pretty impressive. Does anyone know whose behind this ??

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/851/img0607fn4.jpg
This has to be in everyone's photo album. :lol:

Would've been better if they'd done that in a Buddy Christ pose.

"This ride, like most things south of the border, sucks."

I guess that's why this ride received "Best Ride in Socal" by Competitor Magazine in 2007
By the way do you happen to have the stats on car break-ins and bike thefts in Huntington Beach on any given weekend? And what's wrong with being a "fred", you elitist snob.

I think I'm getting aroused. Talk to me baby I wanna hear more about this elitist snob stuff.

Sorry Vireo, I think I was the one getting "hot & bothered".

This has to be in everyone's photo album. :lol:

Sure is! :roflmao2:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/227712045_aa927dde77.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/227712002_b3096824b2.jpg?v=0

Ok, OK, OK No more Jeebus pictures!

PS- If Brandy's doing the ride, I'm definitely going. LOL

Ok, OK, OK No more Jeebus pictures!

PS- If Brandy's doing the ride, I'm definitely going. LOL

ummm....Brandy no longer pays for inconvenient 50 mile rides.

ummm....Brandy no longer pays for inconvenient 50 mile rides.

... of course not george, she's your wife.

Here are some links that came to me on one of my email lists.

http://www.knbc.com/news/17303552/detail.html

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=238262&version=1&template_id=43&parent_id=19

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-mexdrugs30-2008aug30,0,4013974.story

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Americas&month=August2008&file=World_News20080827102158.xml

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/29/mexico-corpses.html

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20080905-9999-1m5bikes.html

There are two types of people in the world- One goes out and lives life to the fullest, and the other believes everything they read in the LA Times, and sits at home with triple locked doors.

I thought the two kinds of people were those who made simplistic over-generalizations, and those who don't.



Or, maybe it was people who talk out of both sides or their mouth, and those who don't? ;)

I'm planning on doing the spring Rosarito/Ensenada bike ride in april. I'm not too wild about driving into mexico.

We have always driven down ourselves- but with all the BS going on down in mex, and the fact that our car was broken in to in rosarito during the ride last year- I thought this might be the best way to go. It's a long dark drive back from ensenada after the ride, but I really can't see any banditos messing with a group of tour buses.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=397346&highlight=

Touche', scott.
I certainly do have a love/hate relationship with this ride... or maybe it's just the schitzophenia

Well, that's the great thing about bicycling... there's something for everyone. Even this guy:

http://www.protocollon.com/images/overkill-lg.jpg

Here are some links that came to me on one of my email lists.
You live and work on the coast; ask the surfers. I know a couple with trailers and houses down there. They're staying home or going further south to Nicauragua.

Well, that's the great thing about bicycling... there's something for everyone. Even this guy:

http://www.protocollon.com/images/overkill-lg.jpg

HEY, That's ME... I don't remember signing a photo release.... must have been the crack...

You live and work on the coast; ask the surfers. I know a couple with trailers and houses down there. They're staying home or going further south to Nicauragua.

Nicauraguas' OK. But I truley prefer Ecuador. (sshhh!)
(I know i'm getting off topic, I blame it on the crack)