By the time most of you read this, I’ll be on the road on a Janus Gryffin with Devin and Jordan headed toward San Felipe. It’s something I’m really looking forward to…a road trip on an exotic 250cc motorcycle in Baja. That’s a formula for a good time, any time.
I’m always a little apprehensive before a big ride and I probably will not have slept well the night before you read this. But I’m relaxed in the knowledge that as soon as the wheels start turning I’ll be completely at ease. I know I’m going to have an awesome time. And I know the memories will last a lifetime. It’s always that way. If you ride big rides, you have had these same feelings before, during, and after any adventure.
Yesterday afternoon was packing time. I always travel light. It actually takes more time to pack light than it does when you can just bring whatever you want. I’ve get a set of Wolfman soft bags I’ll pull off one of my other motorcycles, and I’ve got a Nelson Rigg tailpack I’ll use for carrying my laptop and my camera. I’m thinking I won’t need the Wolfman bags, as I want to get everything into the tailpack. A change or two of underwear, an extra pair of socks, my meds (all us old guys need our meds), my riding gear, and I’m good to go.
There are all kinds of riders in the world. I’m the kind that lives for big miles on rides that cross borders. I guess folks call that adventure riding, but I’ve been doing it before it had the label. Back in the day, we simply called these things motorcycle trips. My first one ever, when I was a college kid, was from New Jersey to Canada. You know what they say about Canada: It’s almost like going to another country. All kidding aside, that was a great ride. This one will be, too. They all are.
I love what Janus is doing, I know the CG engine is a classic stone-cold reliable motor, and I love riding in Baja. I know many of you reading this were alerted to the ExNotes blog by Janus’ Facebook posts. Thanks for joining us. If you’d like to get more info on where we are headed (and Baja in general), please take a look at our Baja page. Our ExNotes site has a lot on Baja, and that’s for good reason: It’s a great motorcycle destination. If you’d like to know more about San Felipe (our destination on the Sea of Cortez), please take a look at this “Destinations” piece I did for Motorcycle Classics magazine a few years ago. And for those of you who are loyal ExNotes blogistos y blogistas but you haven’t heard about Janus yet, please take a look at this awesome review my good buddy Richard Backus did on the bikes earlier this year in Motorcycle Classics magazine.
This is going to be a fun ride, my friends. Hang with us here on the blog, and you’ll be a virtual reality Bajaeno. One of these days, I hope our paths will cross on a Baja ride!
Don’t forget…if you’d like to get automatic updates on the ride and on future ExNotes blogs, please sign up for automatic email notifications on the widget you see here on the blog. We’ll never provide your email address to anyone else, and you’ll be eligible for a drawing for one of our moto-adventure books!
Want to read the rest of the story? Please visit our Baja page for an index to all of the Janus Baja blog posts!
Joe,
By the time you read this, you will be where I want to be. I’m glad that once again you are sharing your beloved Baja with other motorcycle enthusiasts. An early morning breakfast tomorrow on the Malecon while watching the sunrise is always the prescription toward the relaxation that Baja is known for. Paseo seguro mi amigo.
Thanks, John! Man, it’s cold here!
Joe, you’re living the dream, my dream.
It’s a tough job, Tom, but somebody’s gotta do it…
I bet it’s not as cold as the Destination Tour we did Jaja have fun till we meet again amigo.
It’s colder, Orlando.
Hi Joe:
As you know I do a regular long ride each year with my son. We’ve done the Glacier National Park, Northern Oregon, several times up PCH, CO and NM and of course, Sturgis.
I used to go to Cabo regularly (by plane and also by cruise ship.) But I’m a little scared of the security issues down there now.
What’s your view on taking a decent bike down there?
Hi Trevor.
I recommend you do the ride with a friend or two, which may alleviate some of the unease you are feeling. I would not spend any time in TJ, other than to pass through (nor would I spend any time in some parts of Los Angeles or Chicago, for that matter). You’ll want to make sure your bike is in good shape for the trip. The news media (no offense to you) has not been honest about the situation in Mexico and my feeling is they show it to be far worse than it is. My advice would be to take the trip in March with Guerrero Negro as one of your destinations to see the whales and then over to Bahia Concepcion on the Sea of Cortez side (more info on that on our ExhaustNotes Baja page). Feel free to contact for me info.
Joe