Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126525
Fony-three miles of broken and potholed pavement lead east again to the Sea of Cortez and Bahia de Los Angeles. On the shores of a beautiful bay, this rnan settlement has just about anything you need, incuding trailer courts, two motels, grocery stores, a bakery, fIShing boats, and sometimes a lot of gringos. Papa Diaz's lodge costs about $16 a night for a room and three deliciOU! meals per day will run another $10 or so, depending on the fare. Dining is family style and you take what" they got. Many people stay at Papa Diaz's because it's the less expensive of the two and because he pioneered the area more than 50 years ago, building much of his complex himself, by hand. The newer hotel is the Villa Vitta. Managed and partly owned by a San Diegan, Jim Bracamonte, it rivals in luxury and appointments anything you might find an the U.S. Always on a budget, I have never stayed there, but I have enjoyed the dining room and well-stocked bar. Construction is still going on and Mr. Bracamonte has big plans for the area. Friendly and outgoing, he has great faith in the future of "L.A. Bay." Papa Diaz's is reasonable and has atmosphere, but I have to admit that the plumbing sometimes doesn't work, the shower water is often either completely scalding, completely freezing, or completely nonexistent, and the roofs keep out the sun but let in the rain. I could te1l you which of the beachfront units have good showers, but I won't, because I might be there the same time you are - you'll have to learn for yourself. Despite the amenities, it's still a peaceful and isolated town, and the generators are still turned off around 9 p.m. From then on it's kerosene lanterns or darkness. There are beautiful isolated beaches for camping both to the nonh and the south, clams are plentiful, and the water is clear. If you can stay here for a day or two a good side trip is to the site of the Las Flores Mine, about 10 miles south on the trail to Punta San Francisquito. This mine was opened in 1889 and closed during the revolution of 1912. During those 25 years, however, it produced more than $2 million wonh of silver ore. There are still some partial ruins, including the old jail and some rusting equipment. This mine is being worked again on a small scale. There is no sign of reconstruction of the narrowgauge railway and tramway that once reached into the mountains, 50 what work is going on may just be reworking of the tailings. The journey from San Felipe to Bahia de Los Angeles begins and ends in relative civilization, but the wild country in between must be respected. Have fun, but don't treat Baja too lightly. Don't forget lomotil or something similar, water purification tablets, a first aid kit, maps, and extra water. A guidebook is highly recommended. The best I have found are the American Automobile Association tour guide available only to members and a book entitled Offbeat Baja, by Jim Hunter, which can be found at some libraries and many book stores. Hunter includes a suggested "take-list" for the motorcyclist which is quite helpful and based on his personal experience. Two final notes: 1.) Don't eat the "caguama" (sea turtle) for it's an endangered species, and 2.) leave your watch at home - manana time stana at the border. • ; • • Mexicali ~ • E Puertocitos GErTHE FULL RYON FLYING WITH THE EAGLES ~-------------~---------, • I Ask for Goodyear's 1981 Eagle motorcycle tire manual. It's the book that gives you the full story on our complete line of Eagle I tires. You'll get decision-making information on Eagle sizes, I construction, and applications for your particular motorcycle and I riding habits. Order your copy today. I I NAME: I I STREET: I CITY: STATE: ZIP: I MAIL TO: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 1144 E. Market Street, I • . I L Akron, Ohio 44316. . Attn.: Advertising Department. ~ GOODfYEAR ~NNiO¥ATION QUALITY AND , 33