We flew into San Diego for our pre-run trip and met our driver Andrew Terry – a thirty-something rider and mechanic from Southern California with an enthusiastic personality and great sense of humor. Andrew would be my mechanic during the race. We met another rider who was pre-running with us – Rick Thornton is a Texan who lives in Baja now. The internet allows you to run some businesses from anywhere.
We crossed the border at Tijuana and headed south two hours along the picturesque Pacific coastline. In Ensenada, we picked up Santana, who would be riding with us for the five and a half days of the pre-run. I knew Santana, as he was one of our guides for our first recreational tour in Baja in January of 2014. Santana is 56 years old, rugged and strong, with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye. He has been riding in Baja for 42 years – a great rider, and knows all the places, routes, and people. I was happy to be riding with him.
Oh yeah, and Santana being Mexican and speaking Spanish is a huge plus for us. Local language is your link to local resources.
We headed to the military checkpoint near the poor dusty little town of Ojos Negros. There aren’t many paved roads running down the Baja Peninsula, and the military had set up checkpoints at various intervals along them. I assume they ask where you were going and they looked in the back of your truck. I always had Spanish speaking crew members handle it. When they realized we were “Baja mil” racers, they’d let you go. We’d give them race team stickers and their stern looks would turn to smiles. Ultimately, they are race fans, like most local people in Baja.
Santana explained that he’d often give them Gatorade and snacks from the tour supplies. At first, I thought it was a bribe to not hassle us and let us go through with ease. Maybe. But Santana explained that being posted at a checkpoint in the middle of nowhere, in the hot sun or cold desert nights, was a lonely job and not easy. These were young men, away from their families. I thought about how there were no stores or entertainment around the checkpoints. Sometimes there were makeshift shacks as barracks, so they could sleep there. Sharing drinks and snacks was simply a nice human thing to do.
I thought about it…
Santana was wise.
We all need help to carry our own rocks only because there are others who can benefit from helping you, it makes them feel better to be around and to be able to help, let that be a simple gesture as landing a phone charger, giving you directions or teaming up to learn about regional cultural habits. Besides, having someone watch your back while you sleep is always a plus …
Team work – and if you don’t have a team you make one. People like to be acknowledged.
Great story Larry. A smile and wisdom is always a great way to begin a day! Blessings and Namaste. Angie