Gomez Farias to Magdalena
Wednesday July 23rd

More twisty high desert mountain roads with sparse traffic until I reached Hwy 2. Hwy 2 runs east west, more or less along the border, and is a much more scenic and interesting ride than the freeway alternatives in the US. I got completly lost in Cananea. And, yet again, Garmin decided the best route to the highway was a dirt farm road that ended at an embankment ten feet below the highway. I stopped for the night at Magdalena. A town with a perfect little town square, surrounded by arched collanades containing little restaurants. The kind of place I'd been dreaming of as I became tired and thirsty at the end of the day. But it was bitter sweet. I had diner and a beer sitting in one of these restaurants and I was the only one there, excepting a scourge of flies. It was hot, but a nice place, and no one around except the workers and a few locals passing by. In small towns this has become a common experience for me.

US / Mex Border marked by yellow plastic posts
and laser beam warning signs

La Curva Hotel - Magdalena

Route marked in bright yellow

Magdalena to Mexicali
Thursday July 24th

A series of sprints between Oasis. The road through the Altair desert, north of the Sea of Cortez, is flanked by steep dry mountains to the north and sand to the south. At every Pemex I stop, a few liters of gas for the bike and a few liters of liquid for me. The longest stretch, from Sonoyta to San Luis Rio Colorado, is about 130 miles without a gas station oasis. When I reach Mexicalli it is 116 degrees. In Mexico you can walk into a hotel or restaurant looking like Harry Dean Stanton in "Paris Texas" and everyone just smiles.

The Altair - I continued north west to Mexicali
The dark area mid-way is a fantastic set of switchbacks
through boulder strewn mountains

SoCal TT 2014

700 miles on the back roads of Southern California

Corsa Moto Classica 2014

Spring in the San Gabriel Mountains

Mexico - June 30th

Los Angeles to San Quintin

I left Los Angeles early on Sunday morning, June 30th. I crossed the border in Tijuana. At 9:30 Sunday morning it was deserted, three or four other vehicles. I parked the bike in Mexican customs and walked over to get my tourist card, I was the only one around and it took about 5 minutes. I had taken care of the vehicle import on line the week before. A friendly wave from the customs guy and I was in Mexico. I rode along the "fence" out to the beach and got on the toll road. 60 pesos later I was in Ensenada, on the beach, weaving between tourists. The ride along the coast was cool and foggy. None of the extreme heat hitting Mexicalli and points inland. 335 miles from L.A. I stopped for the night in San Quintin. The dirt road out to The Old Mill had a few sand traps (I'd rather be held up by banditos then ride my old R100R in the sand) but the destination was worth it. A mello spot right on the harbor with a very nice restaurant, "The Molino Viejo" next door.  Great sleep, quiet and cool.