Modern Vespa

Just like to post some pics of probably the last time I ride the rigid frame to Cabo and back. I'll definitely do the ride again on my other motorcycle and hopefully on my 81 P200E soon. For those of you that have thought of doing this ride, go for it! It's a great experience. Although Cabo isn't cheap, the interior of Baja is still old school Mexico to me with plenty of little treasure troves to explore and enjoy. I'll post pics in sections over a few days. I'll start with my 3am departure from my house and crossing the border into Mexicali.

Last shot is looking back towards San Felipe.

Lots of loose dogs, goats, cows, horses and burros to lookout for on the highway.

The first night I like to stay at the midpoint of Baja in Guerrero Negro. Los Caracoles is a great hotel with a nice restaurant next door. Excellent coffee too. Next stop is an old copper mining town on the Sea of Cortez started by the French. They imported the wood for the hotel which is still in operation as well as the mine. A big conveyor dumps the copper into ships at the end of the pier.

San Ignacio is a little oasis in the desert. The town is shrouded in trees and has a really nice mission.

Mulege is one of my favorite spots and I haven't even explored the whole town yet. Hotel Serenidad is a cool place to stay with it's own dirt airstrip and easy access to the river that empties into the sea. Also has a nice pool with an outside bar.

Just south of town is Mulege Brewing Company with craft beers made on site and the best fish tacos on the peninsula.

South of Mulege is littered with incredible little coves and beaches that you can visit or camp on. I didn't get any good pics of Loreto. A drone is the only way to do it justice. Here's a couple shots of the coves. Baja is the only place I have encountered where cactus grows to the water's edge.

I do have a pic of the mission in Loreto. It's the first one built in Baja, 1697.

South of Loreto to La Paz is the least luxurious part of the ride. It's nice after you climb up to the middle plain if you manage to catch a cool breeze off the Pacific. If not it can get really hot. I've met lots of nice locals along this stretch and the little one room markets provide welcome relief with cold drinks and great food in the middle of nowhere. Farming going on here so expect your helmet to pick up a good layer of bugs.

La Paz isn't my favorite place (big busy city) but I'm sure there are great places to stay and eat here. I plan on exploring this city with a scooter.

The high plain is pretty desolate but I'll include a pic of the Tres Virgens composed of volcanoes.

La Paz to Cabo is usually a mad dash for me in anticipation of making it to the tip and getting to relax on the beach and see my wife. I prefer the westerly route down, passing Todos Santos. It's a little town with art shops with its own mission and assortment of restaurants. Many good surf spots close by.

I'm extra cautious riding in Cabo. Traffic and non-standard driving practices can get dangerous. I put my ride away for the duration of my stay and get a cab or walk when needed. Many different activities including atvs, camel and horseback riding, ziplines, watersports and of course world class fishing. After 18 years of coming down here I just relax on the beach or poolside and go out for nice dinners now. I have some friends that'll pick me up and take me surfing too.

After my visit in Cabo I head north and stay in Bahia de Los Angeles. Have a buddy that lives there. We fish the first day then go exploring or hanging out on the different beaches sharing food with family and friends. It's like stepping back in time here. Still feels like the old west. Used to be a gold, silver and copper mining town. Now mostly fishing, camping and the Baja 1000 comes ripping through in the fall. Got to see the old cave paintings this time. Next visit I'm planning on seeing the San Borja mission that's a 20 mile rugged dirt road journey.

The yellowtail is big in Bahia this time of the year. We eat it as ceviche, sashimi, fried in tacos, as meatballs in albondigas soup, whole stuffed and steamed in tinfoil on the BBQ and as a smoked pate with crackers! Yum. Also grill up burgers and lobster. Tons of clams here. Didn't have time this trip but clam chowder and clam ceviche next trip.

Offroad excursion to see the ancient rock paintings near Bahia. My buddy's MIL owns the property so we were able to drive to the site. No shortage of all kinds of cactus and great views.

Well It was a 630 mile ride home from Bahia. Only took 10 minutes to cross the border in Mexicali. Super easy on two wheels. Only damage incurred was a broken seat spring and a cracked headlight bucket. Gorilla tape and zip ties handled that. Managed to kill possibly three quail after a covey exploded out of the bushes on the side of the road. One hit my knee and left a mess on the frame. My back is still intact but my ass was a little sore from the broken spring not giving me enough cusion on the right side. Overall another great road trip. This was my second time doing this trip solo. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or need advice on riding through Baja.

DUDE - what an epic ride!

Thanks for the great and detailed ride report. It was fun living vicariously for a few. Maybe someday I'll get to make the trip myself

Thanks again!

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

BajaRob,

Big time great photos and narative. Thanks for sharing. That is some adventure you go on. I always thought it was somewhat dangerous free wheeling around in old Mexico. I have always just flown into the tourist hot spots.

Bob Copeland

Thanks Bob! From my house to Cabo was 1333 miles. With what the media says most people would never venture down. I do have set of rules I adhere to and also being respectful, a good human being and speaking the language to your best ability goes a long way. The military has a bigger presence than past years and are serious but helpful. No issues with the police and they've been friendly as well. The locals are kind and very generous. I recognize people from past trips and they remember me too, especially at the gas stations. I got several fist bumps at stoplights in Mexicali and Cabo. Lots of 150 cc and smaller motorcycles and scooters down there. Didn't spy a single Vespa though. The pizza delivery guys on their motorcycles are a blast to watch navigate traffic!

Señor! I propose we go on a burrito finding mission when we get down there on our scoots. I'm thinking we would need a decal to show people how serious we are in our endeavor. Something like "Burrito Brothers" or "The Great Burrito Expedition". 😁

Amazing!

Thanks for sharing