I know, I know…daylight savings, winter, darkness, holiday jingles and jiggles, Wedge is now a reef break, months ’till you get to the North Shore…
Let me take you back–if only for a few minutes. Rip to Cabras 2015.
Rip to Cabras
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Category Archives: Baja
October Roundup
In case you’ve been napping–FarAndAWey has been on the move for the last few weeks, traveling, working, and catching a few late-fall waves; but, a few posts are up, or forthcoming, and they’ll make your day a smooth ride.
- We had to wait until almost the end of summer, but the swells showed up and DST was there to make a statement about getting out there…everyday if you can.
- FAAW got lost in Baja…and that’s a good thing.
- Got a front row seat to maybe one of the most difficult Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathons in history–which is still difficult to write about (full post forthcoming).
- Laguna Aquathon did not happen, except for those that did not listen. It was the longest swim (4-5 miles) of any year I can remember, we missed the mid-day cocktail stop, and we still had more fun than can be expected for a six-hour tour of SoCal’s most beautiful beaches.
- Thought it would be super fun to race the second annual West End Loop Race, which it was if you didn’t actually race, but rather paddled with your friends, jumped in the water, and didn’t take yourself too seriously (full post forthcoming).
- DST ponied up a new short flick with his buddy and made a bonafide announcement that he is ready to charge larger surf in this great Dog Town Session that is dirty, nasty, and awesome.
Beware Mexico
…and all the wonderful people that you meet, the great food, epic days,
and, most importantly, the dear friends with whom you choose to travel…
Rod Hall Gave Me a Lemon
Let’s get this out of the way and not make it too uncomfortable. You are not a man.
Rod Hall, Rod Hall is a man. If you ask him, Rod Hall will tell you, jokingly, “I couldn’t read or write so well, so I had to drive fast” (translation: ‘I am a man’). Rod didn’t race in a few Baja 1000s, he raced in ALL of them – every single one. He raced in the Baja 1000 when it was the Mexican Mil (i.e. in Spanish); when California, Nevada, and Oregon where still part of Mexico and Native Americans were his only pit crew. Okay, well maybe not that long ago, but you get my point. Man.
Rod also happens to be damn funny, charming, and grows the largest lemons you’ve ever seen in your life. (Insert joke here.) I met Rod in Baja over the weekend and he spent a good portion of the afternoon buying me beers, telling salty jokes and bench-racing stories, and generally living up to his status as a legend of the off-road community. He also gave me a lemon.
I’m off to make whole pitcher of lemonade with Rod Hall’s lemon.
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 4): Off-road Hippies
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 4): Off-road Hippies
Why hippie? I don’t know, it just seems to fit. A sub-culture from the 60s and 70s that loved being in the desert, tweaking machines to go faster, and always on the lookout for a pristine place to enjoy nature with friends and family. Hippie.
The collection at the Ranch and at pre-race check-in for the NORA Mexican 1000 did not disappoint. Vintage machines bristling with trickness and horsepower, and good old fashion know-how. Events like this are the reason we keep a Bultaco in the back of the garage waiting to be restored. Because some day, we’re going to race that damn event and enjoy every minute of it. I spent a good number of hours on Saturday night getting Bruce Manx’s buggy race ready (light tabs and wiring were still being welded on at 2:00 a.m.), but I never heard one guy complaining — it was all jokes, laughter, and, when it was done and the lights were on, a few minutes to enjoy a cold beer before going racing the next day.
Hippies…all of ’em.
One of the original off-road hippies and the reason we were in Baja.
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- The first Meyers Manx
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- Race buggy
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- Leaky race buggy
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- Iconic logo and brand
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- Baja/Dakar ace Andy Grider and host Todd Clement
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- Log book review
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- Don’t know…but French
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- Urkov
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- Foot forward ladies
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- Running better than new
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- Broncos were everywhere
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- Honda (older)
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- Honda (newer)
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- Vintage
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- Labor of love
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- Horse
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- Horse
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- Horse
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 3): Arrived
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 3): Arrived at The Horsepower Ranch
Had no idea what to expect at the Ranch, but it was pretty spectacular. 150+ acres that was once a nudist colony, including a great pool, several mission-style outbuildings, and a grand hall all nestled in the rolling hills above Ensenada. In a matter of hours, Todd Clement, owner of the HP Ranch and former head of Baja Wide Open Tours, had a party going for more than 150 people, including their cars, buggies, trucks, and motorcycles. Good times.
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 2)
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 2):
Arrived in San Diego to hook up with the Meyers Manx club and caravan down to Ensenada via Tecate and the wine-country road. Most of the Manxs are headed all the way to Cabo, which looks to be a long, long trip for some of the buggies involved.
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 1):
Horsepower Weekend (Pt. 1):
Strangely, Part 1 of the Horsepower Weekend kicked off in Newport, with a press party for Baja Social Club at the Cannery. Josh sent over a few photos of Bruce Meyers doing an interview in the very first Meyers Manx. What about a Manx doesn’t scream, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.”?
Was excited to fly down with Josh; however, the plane was rudely hijacked by its owner who seemed to think it would be better served shuttling him down to Ensenada on Saturday. The temerity of some people, huh? Anyway, it looks like I’ll be catching a ride in in one of the Urkov vehicles tomorrow morning. There are no plans when it comes to Baja…
Horsepower Weekend (preview)
Horsepower Weekend (preview):
Super stoked to be headed down to Baja to catch the premier of the Baja Social Club at the Horsepower Ranch and to watch the start of the NORA Mexican 1000. Plane out on Friday afternoon, dinner and the flick on Friday night, race start on Saturday, and home through wine country on Sunday. This one will be good…stay tuned.
The Teaser
Just got into San Ignacio (redux) and am looking to run to Guerrero Negro tomorrow. First, let me just say that Mulege was nuts. In 24 hours I was party to almost getting eaten by a whale, a dinner party replete with artists and singers of the highest caliber, new friends that could party like tournament trained professionals, crashed cars (two), and all followed by a wonderful town party that kept the magic going through late last night. It took some effort, but I had to throw myself out of the mix this morning and head for San Ignacio. A ton of bikers in SI with expectations of 20 or more RVs coming into town tomorrow. Glad to be on the move.
Visited the Tres Virgines this afternoon (a beautiful volcano) and spend much of the time in the shade of a cactus tree having a sandwich. Perfect. Pushing for Guerrero tomorrow, but looking at the ride into San Franciscito and up through Bay of Los Angeles. I will try and work out the details on fuel tonight.
BT
Far and A Wey 
