Sounds so gnarly makes me not wanna do it. but i go in ready for war, no expectation except for failure. So no worry. just for fun. 😂 Ima just go in with some prep an ignorance is bliss strategy here. lol. Im guessing 30 tip overs.
How is the trail? Is there a lot of uphills, or is it fairly flat? I'm thinking about joining this year for the Sunday Marathon as the Saturday one is already full. TIA
The entire trail is an old railroad that they converted to a trail. It’s a gradual decline for the whole race, and the scenery is amazing. You should go for it!
Based on the shrouds it looks like a ‘24 KTM? If so I would be curious to know the fuel tank setup you used given the issues the ‘24s have with the new design/location of the fuel pump/pickup. Cool video thank you!
Thank you! And Yessir, race bike is a 2024 xc-f. We used the 2.8gal IMS dry break tank. We didn’t have any issues with fuel on race day because there were pits every 50-60 miles. During pre-running the only time we had problems with fuel was around the 80 mile mark. There would still be plenty of fuel in the lower parts of the tank, but the bike would sputter and die. We would have to stop and lay the bike down to get fuel in the section of the gas tank where the fuel pump was. Definitely a pain in the neck, but not bad considering we didn’t have any problems until 80 or so miles into a ride.
Great video. Looking forward to the 500 and hopefully the 1000 as well. I was surprised no gopro 1st person footage of the race? Maybe next one. Be cool to see some of the more technical stuff. Next time!! Go get em.
Riley was using a chin mount on his helmet while we pre-ran, but for some reason on race day the mount fell off his helmet so we just didn’t gat any POV footage on race day. Definitely a bummer but hopefully for the next one we’ll be able to get some POV Footage
Great film bud- subscribed and ready for more. I'd love to get into the Baja races, just feels like a level of logistics that you need to have someone to guide you through the first one.
you got to go do it! i can give you numbers, people that wish they could do it, people that dont start (register and back out); get hurt bad, deaths and other such figures .... i ran 4 times broke first two, third finished after the time was disqualed and finished 9 th out of 11 finishers .... it is extremely hard to do plan, put a crew together get a set of chase teams for the down and then the up. the need to to eat water take care of the bruises and bumps the pyschologic beatings the fear and the unknown! it isnt for the weekend rabbit chaser in the desert. i am better for having tried as you are. at your age you have one under you join a team, i never iron maned it! i was on a four man team and that was work we lost a rider to injury, i rode a broken bike 80 miles.
you’re body positioning on the bike is terrible. You put so much pressure on your arms, and you quit wayy to easy no wonder you havent finished baja yet, put a new radiator hose on and keep going! And next time double layer the radiator hoses so they cant break as easily
Respect! Sorry you broke, but once the trucks catch you, things get dicey. Raced a bunch in SoCal Dez back in the day. Stopped in 1996 after a big get off at Glen Helen racing MX. Nothing like running 100 mph across the desert!
Awesome vid, raced it in 2020 Ironman @ 51 with 4 months of prep ( not recommended ) and 5 crew people 3 that have never been to Baja . A experience of a lifetime . Got lost for over 3 hours and missed cut off by a 1:40 but by the grace of God made it to the end. Lots of things I would of done different but I wouldn’t change my race for the world. You have one lap in life!
I lived in Escondido CA right next highway 15 and every year I would watch all the teams and people drive by on their way to the border. Ocotillo is where I rode. I just recently moved to Dalton Gardens ID. I currently have a 1993 rm 125 that I plan on racing in the desert 100 in Odessa, WA. Won’t race until next year as the bike is in pieces and the motors at the shop. Was a pit crew once for some friends trophy truck and it got me hooked on wanting to desert race. One day during Covid my neighbor asked if I wanted to learn how to ride a dirt bike. Started on a Honda 110 then bought my first bike a 2001 TTR 125 that had a bbr big bore kit that made it a 150. Bought a 1983 Honda Xl600R Dual Sport and I am currently restoring it. I am a better mechanic than a rider.
I am 59 years young and, in the same boat. Loooove riding but also enjoy wrenching on them. Got me a 1987 KLR250 for 100$, fixed it up and did 240 miles on it last weekend. Was a blast. Ibuprofen at the end of the day! 😂.
Interesting doco. Well put together. I’ve raced on and off all my life as well. MX enduro, road racing and so on. At 41 I had the same feeling that you did and did part of an enduro season here in Oz just to see if I could still finish a multi day race. Then I did a couple of stints as mechanic for very minor teams like your effort at the Finke Desert Race. I’d be interested to know what happened when those guys left the team. That is, how did that happen? Never dropped out or had anyone just jump ship like that. Anyhow, great effort man. Endurance races always have a big chunk of luck involved.
The details of them leaving were left out as to not make them the focus of the story. I’ve asked myself many times why they would wait to the last minute and flake. Guess They are the only ones that can honestly answer that question. We won’t let them keep us from going back!
Getting lost sucks. I had it happen on a trail race. You learn to look at the course, and mostly what each race does for course markings. Destination Trail does some BIG ones. Best part is you can volunteer with them and earn money towards racing. Congratulations on running. I suggest stopping before it gets worse. Trust me. I’ve done 7 marathons, or more.
Hats off to you for trying something so challenging. Better luck next time. Why don't they send the faster trophy trucks out first? This seems like a crazy and dangerous way to run the race.
I thought you might have edited it it a little out of order sort of like reservoir dogs or pulp fiction go back in time and then come forward Instead of just chronological but I like the video good energy
Never stop riding, @ 82 I'm still on the off road gas. Dirt Bike Gambler song On a hot Baja signup race day For extreme trails bound to nowhere. I met up with an old guy rider We were both tired of no pre-race sleep So we took turns a-starin’ At the Works Bikes in the shade The curiosity took us And he began to speak. ~~ He said, “Son, I’ve made a life Out of seeing clapped out bikes And knowing what parts are bad By the way it’s Duct taped on. So if you don’t mind me sayin’ I can see your out of Duct tape For a taste of you Gator Aid I’ll give you some advise ~~ So I handed him my bottle And he drank down my last swallow Then he bummed an 8mm socket And ask me for a ratchet too. And the entry line got deathly quiet And his face lost all expression Said, “If you’re gonna race, boy You got to race it right ~~ You got to know when to hole shot’um Know when to clutch’um Know when to roost away And know when to WFO run. You never count your points lead When you’re Beer benchracin’ The’ll be time enough for countin’ When the Trophy’s dealins’ done ~~ Every Pro rider knows That the secret to surviving Is knowin’ what shit to throw away And knowin’ what shit to keep. Cause a heavy right hands a winner, And very numb hands are losers, And the best hands you can hope for Is no arm pump for a grip you can keep. ~~ And when he finished speakin’ He turned towards the signup sheet Crushed down my Gator Aid bottle And somewhere in his bench race story, The old guy rider he broke even And in his final words I found bullshit that I could keep ~~ You got to know when to gass’em Know when to power wheelie’um Know when to smok’um away And know when to have yeehaw! fun. You never count your secret race money When you’re sittin’ at the parts counter The’ll be time enough for part$ countin’ After the Wife’s household countin’s done ~~Gasser Classic~~
Very well done. Cinematic AF. From a contemporary aged ex racer, best of luck in 2024. I've ridden in Baja many times, and love it. Would never think of racing the 1000. Scary. Give me a big triple out of a turn, sure... but hell on 90 mph with trophy trucks flying by. Inspiring. Thank you.
