Best Western, Baja, Primo, Immodium, and more…

We’re strongly recommending for those of you joining us on the Baja ride that you roll into Azusa sometime on Tuesday (we’re leaving at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday), and I promised we’d recommend a couple of local motels.   We have two local Best Westerns that are close to the plant:

• The Best Western Plus Route 66 Glendora Inn, at 625 East Route 66, Glendora, CA, 626 335 2817 (for Reservations call 1 800 528 1234).
• The Best Western San Dimas Hotel and Suites, 501 West Bonita Avenue, Sand Dimas, CA, 909 592 0500 (for Reservations call 1 800 845 7080).

Of the two, the Best Western in Glendora is a little closer to the plant, so if you can get in there, that would probably be better for you.   I wouldn’t wait to make my reservations.

Now, a word on the hotels in Mexico.   The rates are up a bit from what they were a few years ago, and the hotels themselves may not be what you are imagining them to be if you’re thinking of a resort in Acapulco or someplace like that.   The fanciest ones in Baja (at least where we’ll be going) are about on a level with a Motel 6.   Some of the others are a bit more, um, primitive.   I’m trying to get us set up for the Frances Hotel in Santa Rosalia, and the La Pinta in Catavina.   Nice, real character, but not fancy.  The rooms have real keys.   We may or may not have Internet access.  The TV reception is not good, and in any event, there’s usually only one English-speaking station when you have reception.  They’re all clean, though, and it’s all part of the adventure.   And I don’t know about you, but when I’m riding exploring Baja, I’m not down there to fool around on Facebook or watch TV.   We’ll be doing the stuff that other folks dream about.

The Frances Hotel Lobby in Santa Rosalia

The Catavina Desert Inn Courtyard

I’ll be posting blogs in the next few days on what to pack, how much money to bring, our probable route with some options, and more.  In advance of that, here are some things you definitely want to consider while you’re getting organized.

We’re going to be on the road for 5 days, not 5 months.   Most folks bring way too much stuff.   Pack light.   For me, it’s a couple of pairs of jeans (one of which I’ll be wearing the first day), my riding boots, riding gloves, a couple of underwear changes, a couple of sock changes, deodorant, toothbrush, toilet paper, a couple of T-shirts, a sweatshirt, my motorcycle jacket and pants, and my helmet.

Make sure your jacket and pants are rainproof.  I have never ridden Baja without encountering rain, and I’ve been going down there for over 20 years.  Don’t think you can tough it out by just riding in the rain and getting wet.   I got hypothermia down there once doing that when I was younger and dumber (when I used to ride a Harley), and it was not fun.

The ultimate dweeb…all that unnecessary stuff, and I didn’t bring rain gear.

My advice is don’t bring an extra pair of shoes.   They take up too much space.  I wear a pair of Haix combat boots that I’ve had for 10 years.  They’re comfortable as slippers and they give good protection.

If you haven’t been to Mexico in a few years, bring a small bottle of Immodium.   You most likely won’t get sick, but you might (the same thing happens to the Mexicans when they come to the US).   I’ve been going down there so often the Baja bugs are living comfortably in my body, and the food doesn’t bother me.   If you haven’t been in Mexico for a while (or ever), it might get to you.   Don’t get scared.  It’s all part of the adventure, if it happens at all.

Immodium is your friend. Bring some toilet paper.

You might want to pack a couple of emergency bottles of GatorAde.   If it gets real hot (and it might), your minerals and such can get depleted.   GatorAde works wonders.    Not too much, just a small bottle or two.   Remember, pack light.

The temperatures will range from very hot to very cold.   We’ll actually come very close to being in the tropics, and it can get very cold in the early morning.

I’ll be posting about recommended tools in another blog.  The RX3 has a tool kit, but you’d be in a better spot with real tools.  You don’t need a Snap-On roll around tool chest; the RX-3 only needs a few tools and I’ll post what they are later this week.  A Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman tool (I use a Gerber) is a good thing to have.

I’m bringing a small tire pump.   You won’t need to.

I’m bringing a spare front and rear tube.   You should consider doing the same.

If you haven’t already bought the sheepskin seat cover, you should consider doing so.

You should bring some Bungee cords.  I have a Bungee cord net sort of thing (like the ones in your RX3 saddlebags) that I always bring with me on any motorcycle ride.

Bring a digital camera.   You’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t.   Don’t get carried away with extra lenses.  They will just be added weight.   Do bring extra batteries or your battery charger.  You can do a lot of zooming with your feet, so you won’t need a lens for every situation you can possibly imagine.

Wear a watch with an alarm.   You won’t have cell phone coverage down there unless you have international coverage, we won’t wait around for you to charge your cell phone, and if you’re not ready to roll in the morning, we’re still leaving on time.

Factor tips into your meals in your financial planning.   We want to treat these folks well.   My guess is all of you will be back.

One more bit of great news…I just got an email from my old Bajaeno traveling buddy, Primo.   He’s flying in from Florida to buy an RX3 and ride with us…so you’ll have two experienced Baja explorers to ride with on this trip!

Primo and Yours Truly, back in the day when real men didn’t wear rain gear and they froze their butts off!

That’s it for now, my friends.  Oh, this is going to be fun!