Last Call: Rosarito/Ensenada Sept 27, 2008

[Kid A]

passing on a mail i received. Have never hit this in the past but as always wanted to and had a conflcit but looks like this is the last chance.

No roadie for me so will be hitting it fat tire stylie!!!

Anyone else doing it???


Be part of this final chapter in cycling history
The Rosarito Ensenada 50 Mile Fun Bicycle Ride has enjoyed a history spanning almost 30 years and has been an icon among cycling events around the world. But the decrease in Baja tourism has reduced attendance to about 5,000 riders: our financial break-even point
We have decided that this next ride on September 27, 2008, will be our last and we would like to invite you to take this final opportunity to enjoy Baja California on this historic ride!

Online registration is open at www.RosaritoEnsenada.com

$35 Until August 31 (entry packet mailed to your U.S. address)

$40 September 1-21 (entry packet pick up in Rosarito Will Call

As a special commemoration, our artists have created a special Team Logo for this ride’s jerseys and medals. These limited edition souvenirs are available only to participants and only while supplies last

The Rosarito Beach Hotel is offering a weekend special with two nights lodging and two dinners, plus up to two children ages 12 and under may stay and eat dinner for free
http://www.rosaritobeachhotel.com/ro...d_packages.php[/SIZE][/FONT]
Baja California Tours provides hotel reservations and is offering a weekend package with round-trip transportation from San Diego and lodging for two nights in Ensenada
http://www.bajaspecials.com/calendar.html

Baja Bound Insurance provides Mexican auto insurance to participants and offers free quotes online. Their rates are competitive and coverage includes roadside assistance while driving in Mexico http://www.bajabound.com/?r=bike

We thank you for 30 wonderful years, and we hope you will join us as we ride into the sunset on September 27www.RosaritoEnsenada.com


I'll also post in calendar edit - someone beat me to punch,...tahnks

[Rawhead]

I was seriously considering this ride... till I read this:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a/pa_3028.html

I have a feeling it is part of the reason this ride is shrinking and closing it's doors.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Rawhead

I was seriously considering this ride... till I read this:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...a/pa_3028.html

I have a feeling it is part of the reason this ride is shrinking and closing it's doors.

Sounds like business as usual for me... besides isn't that where the fun is. So you never traveled from Belize to Guatemala along Bandito highway. hmm, must have just been me

Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border
-------------------------------------
Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by Kid A

passing on a mail i received. Have never hit this in the past but as always wanted to and had a conflcit but looks like this is the last chance.

No roadie for me so will be hitting it fat tire stylie!!!

Anyone else doing it???

I'll be there.

Me and Captain Greg will be doing is SS style on Miss Kitty.

BTW, if you believe the US Gov Travel alerts you will never travel anywhere interesting

[duke777]

that is just sad! wish they could clean up the place and kick out those damn criminals! That use to be one of my favorite fishing trips.

"Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas."

This is not just from travel alerts.....this is from new paper and people who was there too. That use to be a favorite socal playground and there is a good reason for the mass exit.

[Cyanide41]

Most of the Americans that are kidnapped/murder/sodimized etc. are involved with the criminal activities. If you keep a low profile (ie.. leave the bling at home) and stay alert, you should have no problems. That should be standard practice when visiting any foreign countries.

[hoovermd]

Dunno if we can get some peeps organized to properly represent... but if you are going, RSVP here:

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...=2008-9-27&c=2

[Pain Freak]

Do believe what they have wrote. It's all true. I've lost two friends there. Neither of whom were involved in anything other then driving their vehicles or going to the park with their families.

My friend Isreal who has a lot of family in the TJ area went down for a visit and got carjacked. He gave up his truck and they still put a bullet in his head. He died there in the street. He was a good man and a devoted father. We had worked together for over 10 years and I know a lot of his family.He had four little boys.

Last year another friend of mine who I grew up with went down to Mexico (Ensenada) to go to his neices quinsenerea. They were all in a park, keeping pretty much to themselves when some gang banger types came up to them and asked for some of their beer (they had a keg). Being that there were many people there they thought it'd be best to refuse them as it might start a run on their party favors. After they were refused one of these hoods asked if they knew who they were dealing with? They said no and this little scumbag called out the name of one of the gangs that has been at the root of the drug trade and opened fire on them. My friend Jose was shot twice and died two days later in the hospital. So please don't tell me what they written is false I have first hand knowledge it's real, very real.

[Draheim18]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Do believe what they have wrote. It's all true. I've lost two friends there. Neither of whom were involved in anything other then driving their vehicles or going to the park with their families.

My friend Isreal who has a lot of family in the TJ area went down for a visit and got carjacked. He gave up his truck and they still put a bullet in his head. He died there in the street. He was a good man and a devoted father. We had worked together for over 10 years and I know a lot of his family.He had four little boys.

Last year another friend of mine who I grew up with went down to Mexico (Ensenada) to go to his neices quinsenerea. They were all in a park, keeping pretty much to themselves when some gang banger types came up to them and asked for some of their beer (they had a keg). Being that there were many people there they thought it'd be best to refuse them as it might start a run on their party favors. After they were refused one of these hoods asked if they knew who they were dealing with? They said no and this little scumbag called out the name of one of the gangs that has been at the root of the drug trade and opened fire on them. My friend Jose was shot twice and died two days later in the hospital. So please don't tell me what they written is false I have first hand knowledge it's real, very real.

You are absolutely right. There have been countless articles in the local newspapers in OC about this. One article a guy who raced in the Baja 24 hour race was driving home in his RV with his family pulling his trailer with the race car in it. A police car pulled them over and men with automatic rifles and masks came out of the car and started to approach them. They basically got held at gunpoint and had to run into the hills to get away.

[hoovermd]

Perhaps all true in general, but typically this weekend is pretty safe.
I've even seen the Army out on the roads for the ride.

[duke777]

Originally Posted by hoovermd

Perhaps all true in general, but typically this weekend is pretty safe.
I've even seen the Army out on the roads for the ride.

Good luck and safe trip Mark! Hope you have a great time.

[Piranha]

I agree with Pain Freak. Personally, I am no longer willing to go into Mexico to ride my bike or to do anything else. It's just not worth the risk IMHO. There are too many great places here in the USA that I've yet to ride for me to consider going into Mexico.

To those going down there to ride, be safe and have fun.

[JoeTruth]

Mike's right. Adhere to what he said. It's no joke down there anymore.

I used to do this ride back in the 90's and it was fun and festive. The last time I did it was in 1998 and that was also the last time I was down there. I used to travel to Estero Beach, San Miguel, San Felipe & Rosarito a few times a year but I stopped. On our way back from the Ensanada ride, I was pulled over and treated like a trafficking drug dealer. Here I was, in an SUV, 2 small kids, wife, bikes on rack & the back full of suite cases, toys and an ice chest. They were kids and were swinging their AR-14's around like they were air soft guns & probably didn't even know how to use them. I noticed one of them didn't even have the safety on and those things usually have a hair trigger. They made us all get out and they ripped the car apart looking for drugs. I have no idea why but I said nothing and let them do their thing. My kids and wife were horrified and that's all I needed to see. It's not like it used to be down there. We used to go surfing in San Miguel and party with the Federalies on the beach as they hit us up for pocket change. Now, it's a frickin' mess full of tension and drug wars. No thank you!

[Piranha]

Last time I did the Rosarito/Ensenada ride circa 1999 our bikes (Santa Cruz, FOES, Intense, etc.), were nearly ripped off at the Estero Beach Resort. Seems one of the resort staff let some guys into our room when we left to eat dinner. We had the bikes locked with a Kryptonite Fuggedaboutit and the thieves used a cutting torch to get them seperated. We came back in time to witness the SOB's loading the last of our bikes into a van. We took justice into our own hands and I am sure that the perps would much have rather have dealt with the Federales after we got finished with them.
Thanks but no thanks. No more Mex for me!