Like Junkie, I was thinking more about things like arms, legs, and neck. Hard to shoot video in a cast. ;D Seriously though, have fun, and good luck.
Weeellll, that could be a good segment. Self defense when disabled or from a compromised postion--like when in a wheelchair or cornered in a booth or chair.
Good luck, Rob. Keep your head on your shoulders and stay ahead of the pack.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: fightingquaker13 on November 01, 2009, 05:26:36 PM
Actually Rob, could you give us some basics on the race. I think I speak for most when I say I know its a long assed endurance race in the desert. Beyond that...... Are their seperate categories for bikes and trucks? What's the terrain like? Is it all off road or some rural roads? What are the basic rules about repairs and driver changes. I am very interested, and bored, and I doubt I am alone. Again good luck, and if you like to fish, pencil in an extra day or two, This time of year the Sailfish should be starting and you can get a panga out of Cabo for less than 4 bills per day. FQ13
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: twyacht on November 01, 2009, 05:33:18 PM
Good Luck Rob! Stay Safe. Watch out for that Agave,....and don't eat the worm... ::)
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Big Frank on November 01, 2009, 07:13:24 PM
Good luck, Rob. Watch out for holes that people dig in the track. They cause some serious accidents.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Rob Pincus on November 01, 2009, 08:10:53 PM
FQ,
The rule book is about 150 pages.... but a lot of it is redundant ... here are some facts:
1. The race is a big loop (most years, including this one)... and actually a little longer than 1000kms. This year it is almost 700 miles. Here is a map from a previous year that is very similar to this year's route: (http://bajahummer.com/Pics/2005_Baja_1000/2005_Baja_1000_Race_Map.jpg)
2. There are a ton of divisions. I am in "Class 30" for Motorcycle racers over 30. Right now there are about 13 entries in our division, we are # 307x. I think they are expecting 250-300 entries total.
3. Very few people actually do the race by themselves. I will be racing a bike with an old friend that I reconnected with earlier this year. We both have a lot of 2 wheeled experience, both much more on-road than off-road as adults and neither have done the race before. Or anything close to it.
4. We are riding a BMW HP2: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Images/bmw_hp2_lge.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Articles/bmw_hp2_enduro.htm&usg=__q3nEJl41r5Sl3YLX7FEV3-mTu-U=&h=533&w=600&sz=70&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=hQfDzMhzRezKVM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbmw%2Bhp2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1 (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Images/bmw_hp2_lge.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.motorbikestoday.com/news/Articles/bmw_hp2_enduro.htm&usg=__q3nEJl41r5Sl3YLX7FEV3-mTu-U=&h=533&w=600&sz=70&hl=en&start=11&um=1&tbnid=hQfDzMhzRezKVM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbmw%2Bhp2%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1)
5. Sometimes the locals set boobytraps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_tqQxNq6o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_tqQxNq6o)
(there was a rumor that a truck was hijacked at gunpoint last year, but I can't find any references to it... It seems to have been a misunderstanding in regard to a Cessna getting hijacked)
6. They do not reveal the location of checkpoints before the race, so if you cut corners, you could be disqualified. The BIG TIME teams that have air support are tightly controlled and CANNOT communicate about track conditions, checkpoints or just about anything else. The choppers and planes are really there for emergencies and photo/video. They aren't even allowed to communicate with support crews (but they can be equipped with repeaters to make ground comm easier in remote rugged areas).
7. Last year, the winner in our division finished in under 14 hrs, average for finishers was around 18 hrs... we want to get it done in under 20.
8. The bikes start at intervals that begin at 630 AM... the cars/trucks start their intervals 4 hours later.
9. Most of the terrain is off-road, but there are some sections of paved highway. The highways are still open and you are penalized if you are caught speeding. The sensor you are issued records data about every 10 seconds, each MPH over 60 on each HWY data point results in a time penalty. I think the paved portions are less than 20 miles total.
10. Some of the terrain is a talcum powder like silt that can swallow bikes and racers whole !!!! ( :o )
11. My goals, as I explained during dinner, are: A. Finish (or at least not do something that causes us not to finish). B. Collect at least one good story. C. Get some good photos/video. D. Not get seriously injured. E. Not Finish Last in our division. F. Finish in a position that is somehow articulable in a cool way ("We finished first out of all teams composed entirely of riders who went to Blair Academy during the summer of 1986 with black jerseys." does not count). G. Enjoy it so much that I want to go back and do it again next year. H. Publish an article about the experience in a motorcycle/off-road magazine. I. Not spend the entire next year talking to everyone I meet about the race.
12. There is a division for VW Bugs.
13. This year is the 42nd running of the race.
14. The Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_1000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_1000)
15. The event started as a Motorcycle only race.
16. I first became serious about running the race during the winter of 2006/2007, while being subjected to multiple viewings of "Dust to Glory" at my buddy Jeff's bar ("Track's") in Telluride, CO. At least once a week, the video was run on constant loop. Jeff and I talked about running the race a lot, but our schedules and obligations during my years in T-ride prevented us from getting it done.
17. NBC Sports will air a 1 hour show covering this years Race on December 19th. If I'm on it, it will probably be because of some horrible accident or my death.
18. SCORE Claims that 250,000 people converge on the peninsula to watch the race and enjoy the parties/events that take place over the weekend... but that is probably way overestimated.
-RJP
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Timothy on November 01, 2009, 08:17:57 PM
Good Luck Rob.
Tell Robby Gordon we all said Howdy!
Finish safely and I hope your legs are in great shape. If you've watched Dust to Glory that many times, you already know that your going to be off the saddle more than on it...
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: twyacht on November 01, 2009, 08:26:21 PM
5. Sometimes the locals set boobytraps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_tqQxNq6o
(there was a rumor that a truck was hijacked at gunpoint last year, but I can't find any references to it... It seems to have been a misunderstanding in regard to a Cessna getting hijacked)
Can you "put a BUG in your bag" just in case? If not, a fantastic Nextel or two-way radio?
Might have a runaway tumbleweed or environmental wacko that would love to disrupt your race?
Wishing you all the best Rob, to you and your team.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: fightingquaker13 on November 01, 2009, 08:43:44 PM
5. Sometimes the locals set boobytraps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_tqQxNq6o
(there was a rumor that a truck was hijacked at gunpoint last year, but I can't find any references to it... It seems to have been a misunderstanding in regard to a Cessna getting hijacked)
Can you "put a BUG in your bag" just in case? If not, a fantastic Nextel or two-way radio?
Might have a runaway tumbleweed or environmental wacko that would love to disrupt your race?
Wishing you all the best Rob, to you and your team.
Guns and Mexico are non-mixy things. Thing is they are serious about gun control down there, particularly if you are American. They don't like us putting their folks away on drug and immigration charges, and are happy to return the favor to a gringo with even one round of centerfire ammo. The gun is more dangrous to you than the BGs, unless you like the words "Mexican prison". Me, I'd just ride that bike faster. FQ13
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: twyacht on November 01, 2009, 08:58:56 PM
There's room for a SERBU in there somewhere....
The middle of nowhere comes to mind...
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: PegLeg45 on November 01, 2009, 09:30:48 PM
Ride hard, but as safe as needed to get home ;) ................... and good luck.
And, wait 'til after the race to hit the Tequila.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Overload on November 02, 2009, 02:28:36 PM
16. I first became serious about running the race during the winter of 2006/2007, while being subjected to multiple viewings of "Dust to Glory" at my buddy Jeff's bar ("Track's") in Telluride, CO. At least once a week, the video was run on constant loop. Jeff and I talked about running the race a lot, but our schedules and obligations during my years in T-ride prevented us from getting it done.
Hopefully he'll run "Truth in 24" on constant loop next!
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Rob Pincus on November 02, 2009, 06:04:23 PM
Actually, it looks like either Isle of Mann TT or Pike's Peak will be next.... ;D
...but one adventure at a time.
-RJP
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: r_w on November 02, 2009, 07:26:12 PM
Actually, it looks like either Isle of Mann TT or Pike's Peak will be next.... ;D
...but one adventure at a time.
-RJP
As an ex motorcycle roadrace cornerworker (local, nationals, WSB, and USGP), Pikes Peak is easy. They launch the bikes in waves of 4. Lower half of the track is paved, upper is packed & treated dirt. Supermoto and flat track style dominate. The only problem with PP is going off the edge, where there can be a 2000 ft drop, but with bikes there's little chance of that happening. You'll lose HP as you go up, making the bike slower. A run up to the top will take around 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: shooter32 on November 03, 2009, 08:48:29 AM
Have fun RJP....can't wait to see the pic's and videos!!
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: philw on November 06, 2009, 05:06:46 AM
Good Luck mate
Stay Safe as well
looks like a tough race like the Finke Desert Race we have here
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Rob Pincus on November 16, 2009, 10:54:30 PM
Well.. we made it here... but not in time for much practice.
We jumped on an off for a few quick turns on a trail near hotel and, of course, to take some photos before we break the bike:
The Bike, BMW HP2 #307x: (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/BMW1.jpg)
Me and The Beast. (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/RJP_BMW1.jpg)
Some of my Gear all logo'd up: (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Jersey_Baja.jpg)
More Tomorrow!
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: MikeBjerum on November 16, 2009, 11:24:14 PM
Good Luck!
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Overload on November 17, 2009, 04:55:23 PM
Wouldn't head protection (the cylinder heads) be good?
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Pathfinder on November 17, 2009, 05:13:06 PM
Wouldn't head protection (the cylinder heads) be good?
That's what his knees are for. 8)
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Rob Pincus on November 22, 2009, 01:47:05 AM
Well, our bid for the 2009 Baja 1000 30 and over class championship is over... it was a debacle! The bike gave up at least half of its power on the third leg of the race.
The bike was overweight and overpowered for this race to begin with. Overweight and UNDERpowered made continuing impossible. The pig was at least 200 lbs heavier than the average bike. Most riders were on bikes that were under 500cc... we had 1200!
There was a STEEP learning curve.
I had a blast. I rarely feel challenged in life, but this week was definitely an exception! My first full leg practice run was one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I have had in a Looooooong time... I got through it and shaved my time on the same leg by 25% in the actual race!
Here are some pics & vids:
This is me starting my race leg: (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/RJP_Race_LegPit.jpg)
This is near the end of my race leg: (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/RJP_Bajaraceleg.jpg)
This is my first (and best, I think) Crash. It was on my first practice run. If you look at it from the rock impact forward frame by frame, you see me hit, and bounce off of, the boulder! (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/th_RJP_nightcrash.jpg) (http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/?action=view¤t=RJP_nightcrash.flv)
Finishing this hill was the biggest test of the week... (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/th_RJP_HillSummit.jpg) (http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/?action=view¤t=RJP_HillSummit.flv)
Close up as I passed by photog during race: (http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q214/vtcrob/Baja%202009/RJP_race_pass.jpg)
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Pathfinder on November 22, 2009, 05:35:12 AM
Glad you're OK after meeting and greeting that rock.
Great videos too, thanks, almost like being there - except for the grit and dust and pain. ;D
And a 2AM post - let me be the first to thank you for your dedication to this forum.
So what's the next step - new, lighter bike before the next race?
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: MikeBjerum on November 22, 2009, 07:16:25 AM
Congrats on surviving the attempt, and learning somethings from it. Hope you try again, and we will wait for the plan.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Johnny Bravo on November 22, 2009, 08:54:23 AM
Great post Rob. I'm feeling sore just from watching. Thanks ;D
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: 1911 Junkie on November 22, 2009, 09:08:02 AM
I could watch the one with the rock over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over ;D
So, I probably shouldn't try that with the Fatboy? 8)
Looked like a rough course. Glad you made it O.K.
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Overload on November 22, 2009, 04:22:26 PM
The Isle of Man TT is like that, but much faster, on pavement, and if you crash you hit... stone... nevermind, looks like you already did.
Did you manage to keep fed and hydrated?
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Rob Pincus on November 23, 2009, 10:03:15 AM
Quote
Did you manage to keep fed and hydrated?
Yes. But, a couple of rules about desert racing: 1. Take our camelback. 2. When you don't take your camelback on a leg and the local spectators offer you "agua", it might actually be some kind of schapps or fruity vodka beverage. 3. In retrospect, that's not all that bad.
************
Quote
11. My goals, as I explained during dinner, are: A. Finish (or at least not do something that causes us not to finish). B. Collect at least one good story. C. Get some good photos/video. D. Not get seriously injured. E. Not Finish Last in our division. F. Finish in a position that is somehow articulable in a cool way ("We finished first out of all teams composed entirely of riders who went to Blair Academy during the summer of 1986 with black jerseys." does not count). G. Enjoy it so much that I want to go back and do it again next year. H. Publish an article about the experience in a motorcycle/off-road magazine. I. Not spend the entire next year talking to everyone I meet about the race.
A. Not this time. B. Accomplished. C. Accomplished. D. Accomplished. E. Not sure... only 8 out of 13 in our class finished the race, don't know how far others made it. F. N/A G. Accomplished. H. TBD I. TBD
-Rob
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Ping on November 23, 2009, 11:30:56 PM
Pretty cool Rob. Did not know you were in that type of thing? I have some buddies that run "Throttle Jockey" out of Kokomo, Indiana that might have been interested in this. I have a few buddies that have participated in this sport and have many bones broken and one who was paralyzed. I will stick to shooting and avoid Motocross any day of the week. Great intestinal fortitude/guts you have Pincus. ;) You rock Man!!!
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: ericire12 on November 24, 2009, 07:22:51 AM
Very cool, Rob
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on November 25, 2009, 11:55:02 AM
The pictures are great Rob.. Thanks for letting us "be there"...
Title: Re: Baja 1000!
Post by: philw on November 26, 2009, 05:35:35 AM
very cool mate the vids are a good example of how rough it was :o