el diablo packing list

Brandon,

I usually pack two tie down straps so if I have to load my bike in some farmer's flat bed to make it to the next town I can tie it down. They also come in very handy as strong, adjustable tie down points for hammocks...

You can get bottled water real easy down there these days. You don't have to purify stream water or desalinate sea water or anything that gnarly. As for towels and places to hang things, the palapas usually have a variety of old rusty nails and shit from the last thousand travelers. As always a bungie cord or two makes a great clothesline.

I go off on a damn long-winded bender on the ED site about what to bring, traveling in baja in general, etc. If you haven't suffered through that yet, check it out, there may be something useful in there.
http://www.eldiablorun.com/primer2.html

Hope that helps.

-Bill
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www.eldiablorun.com

Brandon,

There is no weather forcast that far out right now from www.weather.com but you can see how Feb is shaping up here http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/monthly/MXBC0145?from=weekend_topnav_business
Looks like a high of 78 and low of 55. It is a pretty temperate climate. I've been going down there in the spring for the San Felipe 250 for quite a while and have never had much weather other than an occasional cloudy day. Obviously it must rain some time, I've just never been caught in it. I think we'll most likely have bitchin' weather all day and it will get chilly enough to wear a flannel at night. Now, the ride across goes through a valley that has some weird weather. Last time we rode through that area there was wacky winds, rain, clouds, you name it. But it only lasted for the 15 miles or so across this big depression between two mountains.

Once we get to Ensenada on the pacific side, it should cool off a litttle. Averages for this month look about 10° colder than San Felipe. The ocean breezes carry cold air, yada, yada. Still it's averaging about 68° right now in Feb and that is pretty good compared to most people's reality. Last time I rode from there to home I was totally comfortable in March weather with a leather jacket and jeans. No snowmobile suits or heated mittens required at all. The part for us that will be cold will be the first two hours or so coming out of Temecula, through the hills and down into the Anza Borrego desert. When we start losing elevation and drop down into the boring section of the ride, we'll be really glad.

No insurance is better than the other. Sometimes I call a friend of mine and have her fax it over, sometimes I buy it at the border. Years when I am organized and plan ahead I join an organization called www.Vagabundos.com (800) 47-4-BAJA and buy a year's worth at a time that comes with other benefits. I've never had to use it, but I've been buying it for 25 friggin' years and it makes me feel slightly better about traveling down there. Everybody wil be liability only down there.

Yes, I hear you on the hangover. I'll bring a first aid kit with some ringers and hook you up on an IV if it gets too bad.

Hope that helps.

-Bill
__________________
www.eldiablorun.com