Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Mexico and Portugal. Winter riding at it's finest:-) John and Steven, thank you for the words and images. Best, Rich in ATL On Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 9:20:23 PM UTC-5 John Rinker wrote: > Steven, That cobbled road is very lovely. Worth a trip to Portugal just to > ride on that! > > 'And visions of [rumbling across the cobble] danced in his head.' > > Cheers, John > > On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:26:37 PM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: > >> John, the ramp in the pic is signed 16%, the other end that I rode up is >> 20%. Its all I can do. The road surface across the valley is (very smooth) >> cobbles with a different color stone for the center line. Its a gorgeous >> area with incredible February weather.Thats Vida do Bispo in the 2nd pic. >> Steve >> >> On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 11:56 PM John Rinker wrote: >> >>> Steven, >>> >>> That looks like fine Spring riding and that road swinging up the hill >>> looks like a lot of fun (up or down). Years ago I lived in Morocco and >>> visited Portugal. I remember it being wild and hilly. Must be a wonderful >>> place to ride. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> John >>> >>> On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 12:04:09 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: >>> John, I saw that massive development last time I was there, its been building for years. Glad to hear your tires were big enough for those sand roads. We should enjoy any undeveloped waterfront, its being built up in so many places. Currently in the southwest corner of Portugal, where there is less than the rest of theAlgarve coast to the east. Steve On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 9:37 PM John Rinker wrote: > Thanks, friends! Glad you enjoyed the read. Even more fun to ride it, > so make a plan if you can. > > Steven, La Ribera seems to be undergoing a massive construction > project involving a marina and a golf course. Very dusty when we rode > through. Fat tires would be helpful, but not necessary. My 2.15 Schwalbe > All Motions did the trick just fine. > > Eric, Yes, there are a lot of photos on the Gaia tracks. I really > enjoy this app on such trips for navigation, but also as a record keeper. > The photos do pile up though. > > Kim, Your Clem Jr. would handle this ride with no problem. We > encountered a couple for Colorado on 90s-era mountain bikes, fully loaded > on 1.95s, and they were having a blast! > > In all the reading leading up to the trip about optimal tires and best > set-ups, the best advice was: 'Just go ride it!' > > Cheers, > John > On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:58:46 AM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> Hi John, >> >> Thank-you for letting me know. >> >> As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem >> Smith Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied >> terrain and having a great adventure in a world with very few people >> around. I would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. >> >> In my dreamtime, >> Kim Hetzel >> Yelm, WA. >> >> On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker >> wrote: >> >>> Hey Kim, >>> >>> Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had >>> very nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the >>> mountains; very nice, indeed. >>> >>> Cheers, John >>> >>> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com >>> wrote: >>> Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. What was the day time high temperatures like ? Kim Hetzel Yelm, WA. On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: > Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. > > On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker > wrote: > > > > A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few > weeks and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that > completes the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km > and > takes in the Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and > beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the > mountains and along the coasts is a rich and diverse desert > ecosystem. In > addition to a variety of birds, we saw tons (literally) of humpback > whales > and mobula rays along the eastern coastline. The route is somewhat > challenging with some stiff climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few > technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that > offers > warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in beautiful spots both in > the >
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Steven, That cobbled road is very lovely. Worth a trip to Portugal just to ride on that! 'And visions of [rumbling across the cobble] danced in his head.' Cheers, John On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:26:37 PM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: > John, the ramp in the pic is signed 16%, the other end that I rode up is > 20%. Its all I can do. The road surface across the valley is (very smooth) > cobbles with a different color stone for the center line. Its a gorgeous > area with incredible February weather.Thats Vida do Bispo in the 2nd pic. > Steve > > On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 11:56 PM John Rinker wrote: > >> Steven, >> >> That looks like fine Spring riding and that road swinging up the hill >> looks like a lot of fun (up or down). Years ago I lived in Morocco and >> visited Portugal. I remember it being wild and hilly. Must be a wonderful >> place to ride. >> >> Cheers, >> John >> >> On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 12:04:09 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: >> >>> John, I saw that massive development last time I was there, its been >>> building for years. Glad to hear your tires were big enough for those sand >>> roads. We should enjoy any undeveloped waterfront, its being built up in so >>> many places. Currently in the southwest corner of Portugal, where there is >>> less than the rest of theAlgarve coast to the east. Steve >>> >>> On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 9:37 PM John Rinker wrote: >>> Thanks, friends! Glad you enjoyed the read. Even more fun to ride it, so make a plan if you can. Steven, La Ribera seems to be undergoing a massive construction project involving a marina and a golf course. Very dusty when we rode through. Fat tires would be helpful, but not necessary. My 2.15 Schwalbe All Motions did the trick just fine. Eric, Yes, there are a lot of photos on the Gaia tracks. I really enjoy this app on such trips for navigation, but also as a record keeper. The photos do pile up though. Kim, Your Clem Jr. would handle this ride with no problem. We encountered a couple for Colorado on 90s-era mountain bikes, fully loaded on 1.95s, and they were having a blast! In all the reading leading up to the trip about optimal tires and best set-ups, the best advice was: 'Just go ride it!' Cheers, John On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:58:46 AM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > Hi John, > > Thank-you for letting me know. > > As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem > Smith Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied > terrain and having a great adventure in a world with very few people > around. I would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. > > In my dreamtime, > Kim Hetzel > Yelm, WA. > > On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker > wrote: > >> Hey Kim, >> >> Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had >> very nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the >> mountains; very nice, indeed. >> >> Cheers, John >> >> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com >> wrote: >> >>> Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. >>> What was the day time high temperatures like ? >>> >>> Kim Hetzel >>> Yelm, WA. >>> >>> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: >>> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Steven, That looks like fine Spring riding and that road swinging up the hill looks like a lot of fun (up or down). Years ago I lived in Morocco and visited Portugal. I remember it being wild and hilly. Must be a wonderful place to ride. Cheers, John On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 12:04:09 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: > John, I saw that massive development last time I was there, its been > building for years. Glad to hear your tires were big enough for those sand > roads. We should enjoy any undeveloped waterfront, its being built up in so > many places. Currently in the southwest corner of Portugal, where there is > less than the rest of theAlgarve coast to the east. Steve > > On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 9:37 PM John Rinker wrote: > >> Thanks, friends! Glad you enjoyed the read. Even more fun to ride it, so >> make a plan if you can. >> >> Steven, La Ribera seems to be undergoing a massive construction project >> involving a marina and a golf course. Very dusty when we rode through. Fat >> tires would be helpful, but not necessary. My 2.15 Schwalbe All Motions did >> the trick just fine. >> >> Eric, Yes, there are a lot of photos on the Gaia tracks. I really enjoy >> this app on such trips for navigation, but also as a record keeper. The >> photos do pile up though. >> >> Kim, Your Clem Jr. would handle this ride with no problem. We encountered >> a couple for Colorado on 90s-era mountain bikes, fully loaded on 1.95s, and >> they were having a blast! >> >> In all the reading leading up to the trip about optimal tires and best >> set-ups, the best advice was: 'Just go ride it!' >> >> Cheers, >> John >> On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:58:46 AM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com >> wrote: >> >>> Hi John, >>> >>> Thank-you for letting me know. >>> >>> As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem >>> Smith Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied >>> terrain and having a great adventure in a world with very few people >>> around. I would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. >>> >>> In my dreamtime, >>> Kim Hetzel >>> Yelm, WA. >>> >>> On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker wrote: >>> Hey Kim, Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had very nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the mountains; very nice, indeed. Cheers, John On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. > What was the day time high temperatures like ? > > Kim Hetzel > Yelm, WA. > > On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: > >> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. >> >> On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: >> >> >> >> A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks >> and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes >> the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in >> the >> Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along >> the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the >> coasts >> is a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of >> birds, >> we saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the >> eastern coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff >> climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. >> Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild >> camping in beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty >> beaches. >> >> >> >> Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together >> and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with >> Peyote IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following >> morning. We chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after >> the >> busy-ness of San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the >> mountains. >> Climbing into the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised >> by the prevalence of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At >> the height of land, we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white >> oak surrounded by organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. >> >> >> >> Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent >> through sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the >> Pacific Coast. Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this >> verdant, desert landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican >> town fast on its way to becoming a gentrified destination for North >> Americans
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Thanks, friends! Glad you enjoyed the read. Even more fun to ride it, so make a plan if you can. Steven, La Ribera seems to be undergoing a massive construction project involving a marina and a golf course. Very dusty when we rode through. Fat tires would be helpful, but not necessary. My 2.15 Schwalbe All Motions did the trick just fine. Eric, Yes, there are a lot of photos on the Gaia tracks. I really enjoy this app on such trips for navigation, but also as a record keeper. The photos do pile up though. Kim, Your Clem Jr. would handle this ride with no problem. We encountered a couple for Colorado on 90s-era mountain bikes, fully loaded on 1.95s, and they were having a blast! In all the reading leading up to the trip about optimal tires and best set-ups, the best advice was: 'Just go ride it!' Cheers, John On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:58:46 AM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > Hi John, > > Thank-you for letting me know. > > As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem Smith > Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied terrain > and having a great adventure in a world with very few people around. I > would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. > > In my dreamtime, > Kim Hetzel > Yelm, WA. > > On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker wrote: > >> Hey Kim, >> >> Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had very >> nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the mountains; >> very nice, indeed. >> >> Cheers, John >> >> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: >> >>> Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. >>> What was the day time high temperatures like ? >>> >>> Kim Hetzel >>> Yelm, WA. >>> >>> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: >>> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following morning. We chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the busy-ness of San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. Climbing into the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised by the prevalence of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak surrounded by organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the Pacific Coast. Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican town fast on its way to becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue sea. After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed back into the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out of arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her ill-advised, less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing community, but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as steep and rocky as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert pulsed with the life of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape here seemed as
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Hi John, Thank-you for letting me know. As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem Smith Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied terrain and having a great adventure in a world with very few people around. I would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. In my dreamtime, Kim Hetzel Yelm, WA. On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker wrote: > Hey Kim, > > Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had very > nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the mountains; > very nice, indeed. > > Cheers, John > > On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > >> Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. >> What was the day time high temperatures like ? >> >> Kim Hetzel >> Yelm, WA. >> >> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: >> >>> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. >>> >>> On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and >>> headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the >>> popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the >>> Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the >>> Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is >>> a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we >>> saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern >>> coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, >>> tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s >>> a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in >>> beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. >>> >>> >>> >>> Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together >>> and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with >>> Peyote IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following >>> morning. We chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the >>> busy-ness of San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. >>> Climbing into the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised by >>> the prevalence of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the >>> height of land, we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak >>> surrounded by organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. >>> >>> >>> >>> Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through >>> sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the Pacific Coast. >>> Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert >>> landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican town fast on its way >>> to becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, >>> something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on >>> the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean >>> was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the >>> night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales >>> and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue >>> sea. >>> >>> >>> >>> After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed back >>> into the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out >>> of arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her >>> ill-advised, less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing >>> community, but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as >>> steep and rocky as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert >>> pulsed with the life of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape >>> here seemed as full as the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with more >>> pokey things. >>> >>> >>> After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights on >>> arriving at the mountain hamlet of *El Triunfo*, an old silver-mining >>> town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y hard pack eventually >>> dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to town. Carlota’s, a family >>> restaurant just out the other side of town, delivered a delightful meal. >>> After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, we were ready and >>> fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn back into the >>> mountains at *San Blas*. That evening we pushed our bikes off the road, >>> through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and torchwood, and camped among >>> piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its finest. >>> >>> >>> >>> Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard pack >>> brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first glimpse of the >>> Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were flying down the >>> highway
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Excellent pictures and reporting, John, thanks for sharing! I checked out your link for some pics of your rigs, many more great photos in there! On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 3:14:03 AM UTC-5 Steven Sweedler wrote: > John, very niceride report, as always. i have visited La Ribera a few > times and thought the sand roads would need a big fat tire. Steve > > On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 12:42 AM John Rinker wrote: > >> A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and >> headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the >> popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the >> Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the >> Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is >> a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we >> saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern >> coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, >> tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s >> a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in >> beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. >> >> [image: IMG_0243.jpeg] >> >> Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and >> headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote >> IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following morning. We >> chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the busy-ness of >> San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. Climbing into >> the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised by the prevalence >> of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, >> we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak surrounded by >> organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. >> >> [image: IMG_0250.jpeg] >> >> Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through >> sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the Pacific Coast. >> Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert >> landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican town fast on its way >> to becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, >> something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on >> the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean >> was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the >> night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales >> and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue >> sea. >> >> [image: IMG_0217.jpeg] >> >> After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed back into >> the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out of >> arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her ill-advised, >> less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing community, >> but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as steep and rocky >> as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert pulsed with the life >> of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape here seemed as full as >> the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with more pokey things. >> >> >> After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights on >> arriving at the mountain hamlet of *El Triunfo*, an old silver-mining >> town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y hard pack eventually >> dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to town. Carlota’s, a family >> restaurant just out the other side of town, delivered a delightful meal. >> After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, we were ready and >> fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn back into the >> mountains at *San Blas*. That evening we pushed our bikes off the road, >> through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and torchwood, and camped among >> piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its finest. >> >> [image: IMG_0354.jpeg] >> >> Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard pack >> brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first glimpse of the >> Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were flying down the >> highway towards La Ventana. We rode through the town unable to see the sea >> past the dust, cars, and development until we reached the more remote beach >> of *Agua Caliente* where we soaked in natural hot pools on the rocky >> beach. >> >> [image: IMG_0250 2.jpeg] >> >> The next morning, we rode a beautiful and extensive single-track trail >> system through a forest of *Cardon* (Elephant) cacti on our way to the >> wide expanse of undeveloped beaches southeast of La Ventana. After a fine >> swim in the clear, jade waters in Bahia La Ventana, we
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Hey Kim, Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had very nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the mountains; very nice, indeed. Cheers, John On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. > What was the day time high temperatures like ? > > Kim Hetzel > Yelm, WA. > > On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: > >> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. >> >> On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: >> >> >> >> A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and >> headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the >> popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the >> Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the >> Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is >> a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we >> saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern >> coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, >> tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s >> a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in >> beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. >> >> >> >> Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and >> headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote >> IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following morning. We >> chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the busy-ness of >> San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. Climbing into >> the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised by the prevalence >> of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, >> we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak surrounded by >> organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. >> >> >> >> Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through >> sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the Pacific Coast. >> Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert >> landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican town fast on its way >> to becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, >> something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on >> the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean >> was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the >> night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales >> and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue >> sea. >> >> >> >> After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed back into >> the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out of >> arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her ill-advised, >> less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing community, >> but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as steep and rocky >> as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert pulsed with the life >> of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape here seemed as full as >> the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with more pokey things. >> >> >> After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights on >> arriving at the mountain hamlet of *El Triunfo*, an old silver-mining >> town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y hard pack eventually >> dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to town. Carlota’s, a family >> restaurant just out the other side of town, delivered a delightful meal. >> After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, we were ready and >> fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn back into the >> mountains at *San Blas*. That evening we pushed our bikes off the road, >> through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and torchwood, and camped among >> piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its finest. >> >> >> >> Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard pack >> brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first glimpse of the >> Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were flying down the >> highway towards La Ventana. We rode through the town unable to see the sea >> past the dust, cars, and development until we reached the more remote beach >> of *Agua Caliente* where we soaked in natural hot pools on the rocky >> beach. >> >> >> >> The next morning, we rode a beautiful and extensive single-track trail >> system through a forest of *Cardon* (Elephant) cacti on our way to the >> wide expanse of undeveloped beaches southeast of La
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. What was the day time high temperatures like ? Kim Hetzel Yelm, WA. On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: > Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. > > On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: > > > > A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and > headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the > popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the > Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and beautiful beaches along the > Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is > a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we > saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern > coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, > tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s > a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in > beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. > > > > Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and > headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote > IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the following morning. We > chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the busy-ness of > San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. Climbing into > the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were pleasantly surprised by the prevalence > of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, > we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak surrounded by > organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. > > > > Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through > sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the Pacific Coast. > Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert > landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican town fast on its way to > becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, > something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on > the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean > was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the > night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales > and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue > sea. > > > > After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed back into > the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out of > arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her ill-advised, > less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing community, > but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as steep and rocky > as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert pulsed with the life > of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape here seemed as full as > the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with more pokey things. > > > After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights on > arriving at the mountain hamlet of *El Triunfo*, an old silver-mining > town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y hard pack eventually > dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to town. Carlota’s, a family > restaurant just out the other side of town, delivered a delightful meal. > After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, we were ready and > fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn back into the > mountains at *San Blas*. That evening we pushed our bikes off the road, > through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and torchwood, and camped among > piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its finest. > > > > Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard pack > brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first glimpse of the > Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were flying down the > highway towards La Ventana. We rode through the town unable to see the sea > past the dust, cars, and development until we reached the more remote beach > of *Agua Caliente* where we soaked in natural hot pools on the rocky > beach. > > > > The next morning, we rode a beautiful and extensive single-track trail > system through a forest of *Cardon* (Elephant) cacti on our way to the > wide expanse of undeveloped beaches southeast of La Ventana. After a fine > swim in the clear, jade waters in Bahia La Ventana, we found ourselves off > track and wandering through a vast arroyo in search of the ‘shortcut’ to > Los Planes. Eventually finding our way, Los Planes was perhaps the most > authentic Mexican town we visited along the coast- not a gift shop nor a > ‘#van life’ sticker to be found. Our
Re: [RBW] Ride Report: The Cabo Loop, BSC
Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away.On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker wrote: A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few weeks and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that completes the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km and takes in the Pacific Ocean, the Sierra La Lagunas, and beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the mountains and along the coasts is a rich and diverse desert ecosystem. In addition to a variety of birds, we saw tons (literally) of humpback whales and mobula rays along the eastern coastline. The route is somewhat challenging with some stiff climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that offers warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in beautiful spots both in the mountains and on relatively empty beaches. Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes together and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo load with Peyote IPAs and tacos de pescado for our departure the following morning. We chose to complete the loop in a clockwise manner as, after the busy-ness of San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of the mountains. Climbing into the Sierra La Lagunas, we were pleasantly surprised by the prevalence of running water in many of the arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, we camped in a clearing under a mature Mexican white oak surrounded by organ pipe cactus and Torchwood trees. Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent through sandy curves as we headed towards Todos Santos and the Pacific Coast. Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this verdant, desert landscape. Todos Santos is a historical Mexican town fast on its way to becoming a gentrified destination for North Americans seeking…well, something other than America north of the Mexican border. North of town on the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the deserted dunes as the Pacific Ocean was anything but. Thunderous waves battered the shoreline throughout the night. The morning light gave us our first glimpse of the migrating whales and the squadrons of pelicans gliding centimeters about the rolling, blue sea. After a brief stop in a bustling Todos Santos we were headed back into the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding in and out of arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with her ill-advised, less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike packing community, but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were as steep and rocky as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert pulsed with the life of such a variety of plants and cacti. The landscape here seemed as full as the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with more pokey things. After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights on arriving at the mountain hamlet of El Triunfo, an old silver-mining town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y hard pack eventually dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to town. Carlota’s, a family restaurant just out the other side of town, delivered a delightful meal. After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, we were ready and fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn back into the mountains at San Blas. That evening we pushed our bikes off the road, through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and torchwood, and camped among piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its finest. Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard pack brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first glimpse of the Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were flying down the highway towards La Ventana. We rode through the town unable to see the sea past the dust, cars, and development until we reached the more remote beach of Agua Caliente where we soaked in natural hot pools on the rocky beach. The next morning, we rode a beautiful and extensive single-track trail system through a forest of Cardon (Elephant) cacti on our way to the wide expanse of undeveloped beaches southeast of La Ventana. After a fine swim in the clear, jade waters in Bahia La Ventana, we found ourselves off track and wandering through a vast arroyo in search of the ‘shortcut’ to Los Planes. Eventually finding our way, Los Planes was perhaps the most authentic Mexican town we visited along the coast- not a gift shop nor a ‘#van life’ sticker to be found. Our ride that day ended with a planned detour off the route to Ensenada de Los Muertos, a deep-water port used by H. Cortez to quarantine (and bury at sea) sailors while his ships resupplied with fresh water in Los Barriles, another deep-water port to the south. A fiery-red sunrise (sailor’s warning?) ushered in a day of cool rain. We rode away from the coast and back into the mountains. Some thigh-busting climbing and a serpentine descent
