Mexico and Portugal. Winter riding at it's finest:-) John and Steven, thank you for the words and images.
Best, Rich in ATL On Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 9:20:23 PM UTC-5 John Rinker wrote: > Steven, That cobbled road is very lovely. Worth a trip to Portugal just to > ride on that! > > 'And visions of [rumbling across the cobble] danced in his head.' > > Cheers, John > > On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:26:37 PM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: > >> John, the ramp in the pic is signed 16%, the other end that I rode up is >> 20%. Its all I can do. The road surface across the valley is (very smooth) >> cobbles with a different color stone for the center line. Its a gorgeous >> area with incredible February weather.Thats Vida do Bispo in the 2nd pic. >> Steve >> >> On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 11:56 PM John Rinker <jwri...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Steven, >>> >>> That looks like fine Spring riding and that road swinging up the hill >>> looks like a lot of fun (up or down). Years ago I lived in Morocco and >>> visited Portugal. I remember it being wild and hilly. Must be a wonderful >>> place to ride. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> John >>> >>> On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 12:04:09 AM UTC-8 Steven Sweedler wrote: >>> >>>> John, I saw that massive development last time I was there, its been >>>> building for years. Glad to hear your tires were big enough for those sand >>>> roads. We should enjoy any undeveloped waterfront, its being built up in >>>> so >>>> many places. Currently in the southwest corner of Portugal, where there is >>>> less than the rest of theAlgarve coast to the east. Steve >>>> >>>> On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 9:37 PM John Rinker <jwri...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Thanks, friends! Glad you enjoyed the read. Even more fun to ride it, >>>>> so make a plan if you can. >>>>> >>>>> Steven, La Ribera seems to be undergoing a massive construction >>>>> project involving a marina and a golf course. Very dusty when we rode >>>>> through. Fat tires would be helpful, but not necessary. My 2.15 Schwalbe >>>>> All Motions did the trick just fine. >>>>> >>>>> Eric, Yes, there are a lot of photos on the Gaia tracks. I really >>>>> enjoy this app on such trips for navigation, but also as a record keeper. >>>>> The photos do pile up though. >>>>> >>>>> Kim, Your Clem Jr. would handle this ride with no problem. We >>>>> encountered a couple for Colorado on 90s-era mountain bikes, fully loaded >>>>> on 1.95s, and they were having a blast! >>>>> >>>>> In all the reading leading up to the trip about optimal tires and best >>>>> set-ups, the best advice was: 'Just go ride it!' >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> John >>>>> On Monday, February 20, 2023 at 11:58:46 AM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi John, >>>>>> >>>>>> Thank-you for letting me know. >>>>>> >>>>>> As I read and saw your pictures, I visualized myself riding my Clem >>>>>> Smith Jr. "L" bike with my wide tires navigating through all the varied >>>>>> terrain and having a great adventure in a world with very few people >>>>>> around. I would be happy eating authentic Mexican food. >>>>>> >>>>>> In my dreamtime, >>>>>> Kim Hetzel >>>>>> Yelm, WA. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 10:00 PM John Rinker <jwri...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hey Kim, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Daytime temps were around 25-27C (77-80F) A couple of days we had >>>>>>> very nice cloud cover which kept things cooler while climbing in the >>>>>>> mountains; very nice, indeed. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Cheers, John >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 8:05:32 PM UTC-8 krhe...@gmail.com >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Wonderful getaway ride report ! Thank-you for sharing. >>>>>>>> What was the day time high temperatures like ? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Kim Hetzel >>>>>>>> Yelm, WA. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 7:41:09 PM UTC-8 Sky Coulter wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Awesome! Thanks for the write up. That looks like a great get away. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Feb 19, 2023, at 4:42 PM, John Rinker <jwri...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> A friend and I recently hung up our skis here in BC for a few >>>>>>>>> weeks and headed south to Baja Sur to ride the Cape (Cabo) Loop that >>>>>>>>> completes the popular Baja Divide route. The loop is roughly 450km >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> takes in the Pacific Ocean, the* Sierra La Lagunas*, and >>>>>>>>> beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The landscape in both the >>>>>>>>> mountains and along the coasts is a rich and diverse desert >>>>>>>>> ecosystem. In >>>>>>>>> addition to a variety of birds, we saw tons (literally) of humpback >>>>>>>>> whales >>>>>>>>> and mobula rays along the eastern coastline. The route is somewhat >>>>>>>>> challenging with some stiff climbing, tire-sucking sand, and a few >>>>>>>>> technical rock-dancing sections. Mostly, it’s a stunner ride that >>>>>>>>> offers >>>>>>>>> warm weather mid-Winter and wild camping in beautiful spots both in >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> mountains and on relatively empty beaches. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0243.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Shortly after landing in San Jose del Cabo, we put our bikes >>>>>>>>> together and headed toward the Baja brewery in the Old Town to carbo >>>>>>>>> load >>>>>>>>> with Peyote IPAs and* tacos de pescado* for our departure the >>>>>>>>> following morning. We chose to complete the loop in a clockwise >>>>>>>>> manner as, >>>>>>>>> after the busy-ness of San Jose, we were itching for the solitude of >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> mountains. Climbing into the *Sierra La Lagunas*, we were >>>>>>>>> pleasantly surprised by the prevalence of running water in many of >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> arroyos (Feb 2023). At the height of land, we camped in a clearing >>>>>>>>> under a >>>>>>>>> mature Mexican white oak surrounded by organ pipe cactus and >>>>>>>>> Torchwood >>>>>>>>> trees. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0250.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Our ride down the other side the next morning was a fast descent >>>>>>>>> through sandy curves as we headed towards *Todos Santos* and the >>>>>>>>> Pacific Coast. Again, there was plenty of water flowing through this >>>>>>>>> verdant, desert landscape. *Todos Santos* is a historical Mexican >>>>>>>>> town fast on its way to becoming a gentrified destination for North >>>>>>>>> Americans seeking…well, something other than America north of the >>>>>>>>> Mexican >>>>>>>>> border. North of town on the Playa Los Mangos, we camped in the >>>>>>>>> deserted >>>>>>>>> dunes as the Pacific Ocean was anything but. Thunderous waves >>>>>>>>> battered the >>>>>>>>> shoreline throughout the night. The morning light gave us our first >>>>>>>>> glimpse >>>>>>>>> of the migrating whales and the squadrons of pelicans gliding >>>>>>>>> centimeters >>>>>>>>> about the rolling, blue sea. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0217.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> After a brief stop in a bustling *Todos Santos* we were headed >>>>>>>>> back into the quiet of the mountains for some very challenging riding >>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>> and out of arroyos. Sections of deep sand had me pushing my Hunq with >>>>>>>>> her >>>>>>>>> ill-advised, less-than-3-inch tires (highly discouraged by the bike >>>>>>>>> packing >>>>>>>>> community, but just fine by me). The climbs out of the arroyos were >>>>>>>>> as >>>>>>>>> steep and rocky as the descents into them, and the surrounding desert >>>>>>>>> pulsed with the life of such a variety of plants and cacti. The >>>>>>>>> landscape >>>>>>>>> here seemed as full as the thick forests back home in BC, albeit with >>>>>>>>> more >>>>>>>>> pokey things. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> After camping at an abandoned rancho that night, we set our sights >>>>>>>>> on arriving at the mountain hamlet of *El Triunfo*, an old >>>>>>>>> silver-mining town, for a well-earned meal. Ochre ribbons of flow-y >>>>>>>>> hard >>>>>>>>> pack eventually dropped us onto the highway and a gentle climb to >>>>>>>>> town. >>>>>>>>> Carlota’s, a family restaurant just out the other side of town, >>>>>>>>> delivered a >>>>>>>>> delightful meal. After fresh orange juice and even fresher tortillas, >>>>>>>>> we >>>>>>>>> were ready and fuelled for a cruise along the highway before our turn >>>>>>>>> back >>>>>>>>> into the mountains at *San Blas*. That evening we pushed our >>>>>>>>> bikes off the road, through the forest of cacti, mesquite, and >>>>>>>>> torchwood, >>>>>>>>> and camped among piles of granite boulders- wild camping at its >>>>>>>>> finest. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0354.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Another morning of climbing in and out of arroyos on fine hard >>>>>>>>> pack brought us to the mountain’s crest where we caught our first >>>>>>>>> glimpse >>>>>>>>> of the Sea of Cortez. A quick descent, a right turn and we were >>>>>>>>> flying down >>>>>>>>> the highway towards La Ventana. We rode through the town unable to >>>>>>>>> see the >>>>>>>>> sea past the dust, cars, and development until we reached the more >>>>>>>>> remote >>>>>>>>> beach of *Agua Caliente* where we soaked in natural hot pools on >>>>>>>>> the rocky beach. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0250 2.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The next morning, we rode a beautiful and extensive single-track >>>>>>>>> trail system through a forest of *Cardon* (Elephant) cacti on our >>>>>>>>> way to the wide expanse of undeveloped beaches southeast of La >>>>>>>>> Ventana. >>>>>>>>> After a fine swim in the clear, jade waters in Bahia La Ventana, we >>>>>>>>> found >>>>>>>>> ourselves off track and wandering through a vast arroyo in search of >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> ‘shortcut’ to Los Planes. Eventually finding our way, Los Planes was >>>>>>>>> perhaps the most authentic Mexican town we visited along the coast- >>>>>>>>> not a >>>>>>>>> gift shop nor a ‘#van life’ sticker to be found. Our ride that day >>>>>>>>> ended >>>>>>>>> with a planned detour off the route to *Ensenada de Los Muertos*, >>>>>>>>> a deep-water port used by H. Cortez to quarantine (and bury at sea) >>>>>>>>> sailors >>>>>>>>> while his ships resupplied with fresh water in *Los Barriles*, >>>>>>>>> another deep-water port to the south. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0383.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> A fiery-red sunrise (sailor’s warning?) ushered in a day of cool >>>>>>>>> rain. We rode away from the coast and back into the mountains. Some >>>>>>>>> thigh-busting climbing and a serpentine descent through a truly >>>>>>>>> magnificent >>>>>>>>> canyon led us back to the coast just a few kilometers from our camp >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> night before. Soaked and chilled, we set up camp at an abandoned >>>>>>>>> rancho by >>>>>>>>> the sea. The next morning we were greeted by the promise of sunshine >>>>>>>>> and a >>>>>>>>> rainbow slicing through the dark grey rain clouds in the distance. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0420.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> For the next few days, we slogged through the sand, jolted over >>>>>>>>> washboard road, and cruised the undulating ribbons of hard pack as we >>>>>>>>> toured the more remote beaches of the eastern cape, and all along the >>>>>>>>> way >>>>>>>>> were treated to breathtaking views of humpback mothers and their >>>>>>>>> calves >>>>>>>>> breaching the crystal waters of the Gulf of California. Each night a >>>>>>>>> waxing >>>>>>>>> moon tried its best to hide the stars but there were too many of them >>>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>>> the dark skies above isolated beaches. We passed through *Los >>>>>>>>> Barriles* which harbored a curious coalescence of South Dakotans >>>>>>>>> with a penchant for pickleball and *Cabo Pulmo *which is the >>>>>>>>> jumping-off point for snorkeling and diving in the spectacular C.P. >>>>>>>>> National Marine Park. We pointed our bikes back into the mountains >>>>>>>>> after a >>>>>>>>> night on the beach in *Los Frailes *where each evening local >>>>>>>>> fishermen push their heavy boats through the sand and into the surf >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> pickup trucks and prepare for a long night of casting their lines. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0266.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Our final night in the mountains brought us within about 20km of >>>>>>>>> San Jose and to one of our finest camping spots of the trip. Tucked >>>>>>>>> at the >>>>>>>>> confluence of two wide and sandy arroyos far from the road, we >>>>>>>>> pitched our >>>>>>>>> tents in the white sand among the burro bush and mesquite trees. Here >>>>>>>>> we >>>>>>>>> watched the full moon both rise and set over the steep canyon walls >>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> sacred fig trees clinging to them. Another kilometer up the secondary >>>>>>>>> canyon led to a narrow boulder ravine that flowed with fresh water. >>>>>>>>> It was >>>>>>>>> here we caught a glimpse of a Mexican grey fox, presumably there for >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> same reason as us- in need of a long, cool drink in these dry >>>>>>>>> mountains. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0473.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> As we had an extra night out, we decided to head back to the beach >>>>>>>>> at *La Fortuna *before our final push to San Jose. Here we >>>>>>>>> splashed out on a fine dinner in a restaurant overlooking the beach, >>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>> after dinner, we sipped delicious tequila in front of their campfire >>>>>>>>> as we >>>>>>>>> watched a blood-red moon rise over the rolling waves. It was at this >>>>>>>>> beach >>>>>>>>> as well where we saw the greatest concentration of whales enjoying >>>>>>>>> the warm >>>>>>>>> waters of the Baja. Simply spectacular! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0496.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Pedaling the Cabo Loop offers much as a brief recess during >>>>>>>>> winter. The Baja is a warm, friendly place that promises excellent >>>>>>>>> riding >>>>>>>>> through rich and varied landscapes. It offers gorgeous camping in >>>>>>>>> wild and >>>>>>>>> remote places and delicious seafood all along the way. There are >>>>>>>>> opportunities to view incredible wildlife and to swim in calm, clear >>>>>>>>> seas. >>>>>>>>> And if this isn’t enough for you, there’s always pickleball in *Los >>>>>>>>> Barriles*. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> GaiaGPS tracks and photos along the way can be found here >>>>>>>>> <https://www.gaiagps.com/public/qhp7fxL8NSMLZqFNB6BUFKOl> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e5502c40-214d-4d0a-857c-3fff300ed1d3n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e5502c40-214d-4d0a-857c-3fff300ed1d3n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0217.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0496.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0473.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0383.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0250.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0266.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0250 2.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0354.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0420.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> <IMG_0243.jpeg> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>> the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/Rz_tdGzRAOo/unsubscribe >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/bc75de59-8eea-4751-b99d-9e03a38642d1n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/bc75de59-8eea-4751-b99d-9e03a38642d1n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9480d261-4a60-40ab-a133-1f9d010d5c47n%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9480d261-4a60-40ab-a133-1f9d010d5c47n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>> >>>> >>>>> -- >>>> Steven Sweedler >>>> Plymouth, New Hampshire >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> >> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/48cf313e-3196-4a9f-b46d-b5a602b5b7f9n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/48cf313e-3196-4a9f-b46d-b5a602b5b7f9n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- >> Steven Sweedler >> Plymouth, New Hampshire >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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