While the editors were busy getting ready to depart for the big 2012 Dealer Expo last week I was busy roosting in their spot on the annual FMF Baja Bonanza. FMF invites a small group of industry friends and riders to take a trip to Baja Mexico for some off-road riding fun. The ride is more of a destination fun ride than a gnarly trail ride. This year the ride started off from Horsepower ranch just outside of Ensenada then headed up the hills through parts of the Baja 1000 course to Mikes Sky Ranch then headed back to seaside for some sun and sand riding as we made our way to our final destination Coyote Cal’s outside of Ensenada for the night before heading back across the border. Here is a glimpse into my three days with the FMF friends and crew.
Quick stop at the border to pick up some Mexican Insurance. These guy’s already look a little rough.
I had to get my paperwork for my bike updated in order to cross the border. Funny this guy looks a lot like Motorcycle legend Danny Laporte, Weird!
We all were pulled over at the border into the inspection line. Either Jeremy McGrath ahead of us had too many bikes on his trailer or they wanted and autograph. I never did find out.
Making our way through Tijuana to our first destination the Horsepower Ranch.
Arrival at the Horsepower Ranch
Story time with Jeremy McGrath and Victor Sheldon.
Horsepower ranch located just outside of Ensenada Mexico. We were surrounded by some beautiful views from this little oasis.
Donnie Emler Jr. and Travis Clark getting things lined up to rock and trying to look tough doing it.
The guy with his hands in the air is Spy Goggles Victor Sheldon AKA “Slasher”. Victor was the instigator of the game MINE. If you say the word MINE you have to do 10 pushups. I think Victor did the most pushups out of everyone.
My roomy, World Champ Danny Laporte telling back in the day stories again.
I cant quite remember but I think every night after riding started like this.
Showtime Jeremy McGrath. Check out his 1993 FMF Camel SX Champion jacket he is wearing and the creepy guy behind him.
I am not really sure what this is about; maybe they all said MINE and they had to do pushup.
Couple of late arrivals after winning a WORC race the night before. Kyle Redman and Kurt Caselli.
Kendall Norman the morning of the first night. I think Kendall wasn’t happy he didn’t get any eggs for breakfast.
I think this is actually “Mad Dog” himself, from Mad Dog’s Cantina at the Horsepower Ranch.
Pretty big crew for a trail ride. Cameron Steel and crew lead the charge and kept us moving at a good pace all day.
There as a lot of play riding going on every place we stopped. Here Caselli show’s us how to back it in on a dusty trail.
Sitting in the middle of nowhere on the Baja 1000 course, Cameron dials up headquarters to figure out where the gas stop is being dropped.
Donnie Emler Jr. navigating one of many rock sections.
Kendall, Jeremy and Donnie discuss bike sounds at our first pit stop day 1
Cameron Steele’s Desert assassin is pretty resourceful. Making lunch and repairs all day so riders didn’t have to even think about it.
Day 1 Lunch break was this quaint little diner about 20 miles from or second destination. I had so many carne asada tacos I could barely get back on the bike.
Caselli ordering his specially made Quesadilla. Kurt this is not Taco bell and if you going to be racing Baja you better get use to people making your lunch without washing their hands.
50 hungry dirt bikers really didn’t show Jeremy much respect when it came to the chow line.
Step 1 place rock just right.
Step 2 jump off rock through tree.
Step 3 well that didn’t work as planned.
Step 4 Just watch Geoff Aaron do it.
Our second destination, Mike Sky Ranch.
You could spend a whole night looking at all the memorabilia inside Mikes Sky Ranch bar. Colton Udall and Kurt Caselli talk about diet plans and hydration for racing instead.
If you spend too much time a Mikes Sky Ranch Bar drinking triple threats this is what happens to your bike when you fall asleep. All in good fun Kendall Norman laughed about it and had his bike back up and ready before breakfast was ready.
We had a few roadblocks along the way getting to our final destination
Well worth the travel getting to this lunch spot on the coast. It was awesome to just sit and watch Colton Udall, Kurt Caselli, Jeremy McGrath, Kendall Norman free ride.
If you fall you get roosted that’s the deal. Even if you are the first American World champ Danny Laporte.
Final Destination Coyote Cal’s.
Kendall kept it to double threats on the last night.
Awards were given the last night. This is Maui Donnie I think he got and award for the furthest traveler for the event. Donnie is from one of those Hawaiian Islands; I can’t remember which one though.
MC says piece out as we head for home. I think everyone at this point can’t wait for next year.
