Cycle Ensenada to Tecate

[krebs303]

Have any info? Have ya done it? I have a guy seeking info. I've never even driven it.

Hello Larry

My name is Jeff and I am a touring cyclist from Baltimore, MD. I am currently headed along the west coast toward San Diego, where I planned to end my trip, but I will be arriving a bit early so I thought I might try to visit Mexico for a week or so before I fly out of San Diego. I thought a good loop might be San Diego-TJ-Rosarito-Ensenada-Tecate-San Diego. I was wondering if you could help me make a decision by answering a few questions: 1) As a cyclist (and NOT an obvious tourist in a nice, flashy car) should I pay any attention to all the hype about drug-realted crime? 2) how are the roads between Ensenada and Tecate (I am on an old road bike with strong rims, somewhat narrow tires with good tread)? can i get water and food somewhere in betweeen? 3) would you be available to host me if I passed through your nieghborhood?

Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it!
Jeff

I will forward any info. Thanks

 

[Boeing]

You are aware of the Drug Lord Crime culture in that area right?

 

[krebs303]

I'm aware of the media hype and the reality.
The reality is if your not involved in law enforcement or drug trafficking things are fairly safe. It's a gang war and most killings are execution style not wild west shoot'em ups on the street. However those can happen that's why I said fairly safe. In six years here I've never heard a gunshot.

 

[ElChingon]

Those looking for trouble will find it, or those traveling with a bad attitude same thing.

I'd be more worried about someone taking me in to their house and feeding me till my belly burst

 

[ksmith]

Go to crazyguyonabike, this is a tourist bike website. I feel sure you'll get some answers there. Good luck.

 

[DirtyWorks]

... things are fairly safe....

My experience is similar, though I am only an occasional visitor. TJ is a little crazy for my tastes and preferences, but once you pass through it, I find Mexico very enjoyable.

 

[krebs303]

I avoid TJ mainly because I get lost

 

[Reghere]

I would not recomend it purely from a safety perspective. Traffic is jut to crazy. Take a bus to Ensenada & explore the roads around there, if you want a mexicain experience. Have travelled into TJ once a week for 6 months - it really was a mess. We travelled in a strengthened large van with a trained driver as a co-worker was kidnapped. Dont take it lightly.

 

[fatandfast]

TJ, Tecate and Ensenada very different places. TJ is pretty busy, the other two not so much. All the roads and signs are pretty straight forward . If you drive across the border and go toward 1D the drive is pretty nice. The cliffs and the ocean all the way. A couple of golf courses right on the water for 30% of what you would pay in California for only slightly less of a product. You can get a room in Ensenada ride,eat dinner, enjoy some yummy drinks wake up and drive to Tecate. The coast is very beautiful down there.

Tecate is a little sleepy and there are still plenty of cowboys around. It is nice to see, but lots of roads have traffic going toward the airport and the Otay crossing so it is a little unnerving for and 18 wheeler to fly past at 60 plus. If you have a GPS and the roads show up on the screen in advance the hills around Tecate are really sweet. If you want to ride in similar terrain Campo Rd and anything out there(Dulzura, Boulevard,Jacumba, ect) are all epic places to ride on the US side.

If you are road only those are options, if you have dirt abilities also Nobel Canyon and anything on the Pacific Crest Trail will please you and test your skills.
Another more civilized ride is up Banner Grade.

 

[Quixote]

I took the bus between TJ and Tecate several times. This was in my pre-cycling days so I wasn't checking out every road with a cyclist's view (as I do now). However, if memory serves correctly, there was one section that could be challenging for a safe ride. Also, I don't recall seeing services between the two points.
Now, the TJ to Ensenada, if I remember correctly, seemed like it might be a beautiful ride.
If krebs is unable to put you up, accommodations in Mexico are relatively inexpensive. Most of the bigger cities have Spanish immersion institutes. Some may be willing to hook you up with a family that rents rooms...the rate is usually around $20 a day and could include meals.
Buena suerte amigo!

 

[bajabikerace]

The Tecate to Ensenada is back!

Just wanted to introduce everyone to Baja Bike Race It is a 73mi race from Tecate to Ensenada on June 21, 2015.

Go to our website for more details: http://www.bajabikerace.com

Keep up with the news through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! @BajaBikeRace

Did i mention that there will be prize purses?!?!