Here are some testimonials from

Evan Plews, Salem, OR
#100 (PRO Class) Overall Winner!!!
After racing 13 years and traveling all over North America and even to Europe, I have never been in an event like Baja Epic. While I was the only PRO rider in attendance, and I didn't have a chance for any competition, I still had more fun than I recently remember! Maybe it was Armando's enthusiasm and personal care for each one of us, or the true adventure of the Baja course. Or possibly the beautiful scenery from the blue Pacific to the high-mountain pine forests. It could have been the thrill of hearing a Baja 1000 buggy behind me or not seeing another human being for so many miles on day two. Whatever the case, I sincerely hope the Baja Epic continues so that other riders can experience this great event. This was my fifth MTB stage race and Baja Epic ranks right at the top of my list--must do!!!
Hope to see you again next year.

Evan Plews

Evan Plews Race Report

The Baja Epic has come and gone and I am back home in the Northwest winter again. We had a blast in Mexico playing bikes and seeing sights. Here is my day by day report and some pics attached...

Day Zero
This was our travel day and we left early in the morning from PDX flying to San Diego. It also happened to be the day we would find out if we were going to be chosen to adopt two little girls--wow, the anticipation. We landed in San Diego with an hour to spare and sat down for a snack at Chili's. That is when the phone rang with great news! We ARE parents! After many phone calls and not much eating, we were ready to meet the Baja Epic Shuttle to Rosarito beach. Armando Carrasco (the promoter) was waiting at the curb with vans and trailers for all the bikes and gear. Awesome service!
We all hopped in and picked up some more racers at Holiday Inn. Next we drove to a local bike shop for last minute purchases. Then it was on to the border which was an uneventful crossing--I don't even remember them asking for passports! Shortly after we got back on the freeway heading south, things got interesting. We heard some sirens and looked back to see several pick-ups passing traffic with lights flashing. As they got closer we were immediately reminded that we weren't in the USA anymore. These "police" officers were armed with sub-machine guns and dressed from head to toe in black combat gear--including ski masks. In case you didn't know, there is a war going on right now just south of the border. Just so happens that the USA and its insatiable appetite for drugs is creating quite the battle over cartel control at entry points like Tijuana. Some locals told us that as many as five killings per day are happening there alone! Maybe the media needs to spend more time covering this mess than the mid-east conflicts... Soon we were on the coast and pulling up at the famous Rosarito Beach Hotel. This is an older place, but very cool indeed and worth another visit.

Day One
We woke up to sunny skies and kind of a slow start on the beach. After a little run through the soft sand, we headed east up and away from the coast. Initially we were on dirt road but then as we traveled inland we experienced jeep roads, atv trails and even a bit of single track. It was a difficult day starting at sea level and ending up at over 3000ft fifty some miles later. Since I was in the lead from early on, I rode alone pacing off my Garmin most of the way. Unfortunately I missed one turn but still made it to the finish line well ahead of the race caravan! Looking back, this was probably my favorite stage since it had a little of every kind of riding. We finished at Hacienda Santa Veronica outside Tecate. It was kind of remote but would be an awesome place to stage some epic off-roading from.

Day Two
Yellow jersey clad, I pedaled out of Santa Veronica into a rising sun and some sweet singletrack. It was a little hard to see with the glare but lots of fun. We continued to ride east for the first part of this EPIC 80+ mile stage straight into a vicious head wind. It was also a virtual uphill for the first 50 miles with many deep beach sand sections. I suppose that I walked a total of a couple miles but I enjoyed the beautiful serenity of the desert morning along at the front. Again I missed a turn but still managed to finish well ahead of any of the riders. Uphill, sand, wind--needless to say it was a HARD day! We traveled into the high sierra country and went right through a nice National Park. It was outrageous with nice pine forests and elevation over 6000ft.Then we had a great dirt road descent for about 15 miles into a small town called Ojos Negros where the finish was.

Day Three
After a wonderful night in Ensenada at the lovely San Nicolas Hotel, we shuttled back inland for a loop around a place called Mike's Sky Ranch. The stage started with some dirt road with a gradual stair-step climb to the ranch. We were heading south so the wind was mostly behind us and the first 20 miles to the Ranch literally flew by. We were sharing this part of the course with the Baja 1000 so it was pretty cool when I got passed by some sweet, off-road buggy! I plan to try some of that when my racing legs are through for sure... Anyway, after Mike's the trail deteriorated to rocking, rutted jeep trail and that was pretty fun. Unfortunately, there was a lot of up/down in and out of sandy washes followed by about 7 miles of perfectly straight washboard dirt/sand road into town. Oh, yeah, it was also into a strong afternoon cross wind--nothing like being able to see exactly what you are up against!

Day Four
Another night in Ensenada and short shuttle ride to the Wine Country of Baja. Some beautiful sights and a fast start on the road followed by a little single track and lots of dirt road and cow trails. We traveled northwest back toward Rosarito Beach on what I would describe as a high plateau just inland from the coast. The elevation was between 1000-1200ft most of the day before a quick plunge down to the beach. It was during this fast rocky downhill that I got a little distracted. After stopping for some photos, I jumped back on my bike only to mis-judge one of the last corners of the course. OUCH! After sliding about 20 yards on my hip and forearm over 1" minus gravel I was literal hamburger. Unfortunately, the fun was over and I high-tailed it to the finish hardly able to enjoy the beautiful beach or a nice victory and lobster chimi!

Epilogue
Luckily we were able to get into the hotel quickly where I tried to wash out my wounds which consisted on many gashes several inches long and more than 1/4" wide and deep. We also were lucky to meet a great guy from San Diego who gave us a ride to the airport Saturday night. With a layover in Sacramento, we decided to visit the local ER there only to be given a run around and no stitches or anything. Evidently all the flesh was gone so the doctor didn't want think he could sew me up! We finally got to bed at 2am and made it home Sunday morning. A great trip and a fun ride. Hopefully the Baja Epic lives on next year, since it seems like one of the best places in the world for a race like this!

Thanks for reading,

Evan Plews
www.evanplews.com
503-949-4879

Jay Server, Commerce Township, MI (really)
# 406 (Class 40-49) (whatever)
To the inaugural and future riders of the BAJA EPIC (Rosarito: Beyond and forever) I shall start with: “EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS”.
My testimonial doesn’t reflect the hard core MTB racers beliefs. This finisher caulks the BAJA EPIC up as his first race of the season. The outlook was an adventurous, four day cycling trip, surrounded by compadres, while witnessing the beauty of the mountains and deserts of Baja California. These goals where easily accomplished throughout the race.
Truly it’s the many, small, seemingly insignificant items throughout the trip that anchored the BAJA EPIC as exemplary. Armando (promoter/supporter/friend) guided the field of racers from a pack of coyotes into the likes of a cohesive race team. Thank you for the well marked course to the peak of every mountain, threw every tiny dog ridden village, and down every hill only suitable for a BAJA 1000 race buggy, I thank you. Honestly, the morning wakeup calls, evening socials, beautiful hotels in Rosarito and Ensenada, and well deserved downhill finishes turned a challenging race into a dream beyond my expectations.
This participants conditioning wasn’t sufficient to bring home any medals but the memories and photos will last forever. My gratitude goes out to all the fine cyclists, race personnel, and support group, I shared the BAJA EPIC 2008 experience with.
Jay

Esteban Gonzalez, San Diego,CA
#304 (Class 30-39)

It's been over a week and I'm still recovering from this EPIC RIDE!!
Wow!! Now I know what a stage race is all about!! This was an experience of a life time! Baja is like no other, there was something special about every stage.
Stage 1: Hills, hills, wind, wind & more hills. Oh! & some sweet single track at the end.
Stage 2: Sand, sand, sand and washboard roads that rattled your brain. Let's not forget the dog from hell that made some of us sprint to the finish line.
Stage 3: Sand, washboard roads, sand and plenty of hike a bike sections that made me wonder why I brought this bike. The descents were scary steep, made me wish I had air bags on my bike!!!
Stage 4: Yes! At last! no sand or headwind, just pure speed on hard pack! When I climbed the last hill and saw the pacific ocean I said," This is EPIC!!" I knew there was a bucket of Dos Equis waiting for me at the end!!!
What a race and adventure it was! Everyone who participated is a real hard core MOUNTAIN BIKER!! I want to thank Los Primos Pit Crew and my friend Gorge for volunteering and assisting many of us during the race!!!
Armando it was a lot of fun!!! Make it happen again next year, just leave out the sand!!
Esteban G.

Chris Wurster, New York, NY
#501 (Class Masters 50+)
As a representative for Independent Fabrication I would like to extend my congratulations to Armando for putting together a truly challenging race and sending the racers through parts of Baja that you only get to see from the front seat of a Trophy Truck or on ESPN during Baja race coverage. On paper the race looked to be a very straight forward and not one that would "break" a rider, that was until we were on the course battling constant headwinds, sections of deep sand and descents that should be part of the Redbull Challenge! What truly made this an epic was the ways in which riders were tested to their mental limit handling the challenges of the back country of Baja.
Chris

Art McFarlan, Chandler AZ
#412 (Class 40-49)
I've done a few of these events.... Cape Epic, La Ruta and Trans Rockies... and Baja Epic is as epic as any of these. Yes, it's only 4 days, but I'm not sure I could have done more. The scenery was awesome. You definitely get to see Baja in a different way... and I grew up here. The whole group was very cool. We had people from Colorado, California, New York, Canada, Mexico City, oh yeah, and from Arizona. Yes, a few complaints, a few disappointments, but most of it expected for a first year event. Next year it's expected to be be bigger and better (we talked Armando into reducing the shuttles :-)

)
Armando and his staff did a great job. The medics, Vitamin Water staff and Carmen's massages made for a perfect environment.
Thanks Armando!!
ps: Find more about Art's journey in the Baja Epic at: http://artandwendy.blogspot.com/

Jaime Hernandez, Yuma AZ
#306 (Class 30-39)
Armando:
Last week I survived the Baja Epic. After day two, Ramon from Primos Pit Crew asked me why the race was named Epic? As I stepped in pain from the grueling 81mile day trek from Rancho Santa Veronica to Ojos Negros, I realized that I would not be able to explain the full meaning of the Baja Epic concept.
Please let me thank you for showing us Baja and for putting on this painfully sweet and well planned race. Thanks for all the tough climbs, the gnarly down hills and specially thank you for throwing all that sand at us. Half of us bitched specially about the sand. It was an ingenuous plan to demoralize, belittle, and humble every rider. Notwithstanding the toll it took on our bodies. And if I hear from you “the rest is down hill from here” one more time, I promise next year I’ll punch the air out of you atv at the top of Mike’s Sky Ranch and leave you to deal with the 2,000 lb wild bulls.
Day four came and both Esteban and Bryce were ridding fresh. Crap!! I had to ride hard till’ the finish line! At this point I was granny-gearing every 10ft hill and it was 45 miles to Puerto Nuevo. I asked Chad to take me home-tether in hand and no luck.
Crossing the finish line was a moment where the race finally made sense to me. The course had torn me up, shredded me mentally and physically and finally built me back up to a better man.
Next time I talk to Ramon, I’ll probably still have trouble explaining the why’s of the Baja Epic. For sure, the Baja Epic was long, and surpassed the ordinary. The Baja Epic was the most AWSOME MTB experience ever! Lets do it again?
Sincerely
Jaime Hernandez

Chad Leptich, Yuma AZ
#413 (Class 40-49)
Hello Armando
Thanks for putting the Baja Epic together. Team Primos really had a great time with you and your great crew in Baja. I actually remember some of your crew from doing the Montana Grande and Camino Duro back in early 90's. You and your crew have been great hosts to all of us gringos. Case in point is when one of the paramedics was hiking out with Calvin's bike (#502 Class Masters 50+). This act demonstrates the class of this individual.
I wanted to tell you that the Epic was truly a test of what my body can endure on a bike. Thanks for making me find these new limits.
I also would like to invite you to our New Year's Day ride down the Carrizo Gorge. The Yuma Bike Club and the I.V. Velo club are doing the ride early in the morning. Si no andas crudo, puedes andar con nosotros. There are like 17 tunnels we ride through so bring a light. Check out the video at http://www.mtbbill.com/videos/CarrizoGorgeWeb.mpg.
Thanks again
Chad Leptich

Fernando Trejo, Mexico D.F.
#305 (Class 30-39)
Armando
Felicidades por el evento

Puedes ver la nota y fotos publicadas en www.deporte6am.com
Diciembre 1 sale en la revista impresa.

Recomendaciones
1.obligar a competidores a cargar manta espacial de supervivencia
2. Dejar puntos de hidratacion sin staff solo el tambo con producto.
3.Marcar aparte de listiones con cal ya que el viento puede arrancar marcas.

Saludos
Fernando Trejo

Rob Quinn, Denver, CO
#407 (Class 40-49)
Boys-
The GCC contingent is back in one piece after a successful run at the Baja Epic. Everything considered the event went off without a hitch and the GCC riders all showed well everyday with at least one of our guys pressing hard with some good riders in front.
Paul "POW" Camp took no prisoners and brought back some hardware with a solid 3rd place finish 50 plus and honorary GCC member Andy Slayton did a great job and won men 30-40. Way to go boys. Andy also brought back 18 stitches.
The course was a mofo! with day 2 dishing out a 20 mile sand slog that really stripped it down to the primer mentally.
I'd say overall about a 1/4 of the field DNF in one stage or another due to bonking, running out of light or mechanicals.
As I suspected the small group ( 26 racers ) bonded well and spent quality time on the bus and just generally doing all the other stuff you do at an event. The people you meet who do these are really cool. There was a interesting array of personalities and backgrounds and everybody hung like brothers. Very cool. In my opinion that part was just as good as the epic riding.
Everybody in our group had good stages...Tom, Jim, Rod, Jim's bro Jay and of course Paul and Andy... and since fact is indeed stranger than fiction... even yours truly had some shining moments in a few stages which our times will attest.
Everybody had some tough moments in a long event like this. I thought the rocks were dancing in the hills once when I bonked on stage 1 and I wasn't even smoking anything.
All in all the event may have exceeded expectations and the GCC basically rocked the f%*cking house...ending big in full kit day 4 and then leading the charge at the post party and raising the roof and basically showing them how we roll in CO baby.
Even though my ass is sore, my wallet empty (after making a sizable contribution to the Rosarito Beach Widows and Orphans fund Sat night and attempting to have Squirrel from BIKE MAG deflowered ) and my guts upset from a big day with Sr. Patron on Sunday...I was kind of wondering on the way to work "when's the next epic".
www.bajaepic.com
-rq