Dana Neisler Memorial Ride: Baja (June 14-15, 2014)

Dana Neisler was a Baja guru with whom I rode last year; you might've read a Tecate to Mikes Sky Rancho ride report I posted. He was a great guy with an electric smile, a zest for life and an extensive knowledge of Baja riding.


He unfortunately passed away in a tragic accident near Laguna Hanson on January 25, 2014.


This weekend, I participated in a Memorial Ride in his honor. Here is the ride description and some photos:




The GPS location of the memorial site is N31"58.361" W115"58.443


I counted 35 bikes and a total of 50 people. After meeting at the memorial site, many riders met for tacos and beer at the Old Sawmill (Ramona's). Some headed back to the border, others went to Mike's Sky Rancho.


I headed down to Valle de la Trinidad, across an obscure road to San Vicente (La Calentura) and on to the small town of Erendira where I stayed the night.


I then headed north to the border on Sunday. All in all, I rode over 350 miles in Baja; 165 miles of that was off-road.

An excellent way to pay tribute to a great guy. You're missed, my brother.


Here's info:

The Dana Neisler Memorial Ride (a one to two day ride) is scheduled for June 14 and 15, 2014, leaving Tecate Saturday morning to Laguna Hanson then continue to Mikes Sky Rancho and return Sunday afternoon.

The overall plan is meet and ride to Dana's Memorial site about three miles past the Saw Mill by 11:30 to meet up with Dana's family in the trucks. We'll then head back to the Saw Mill for lunch and gas.


Bikes meet at the Tecate, California, border gas station on June 14, 2014 at 8:00 leave at 8:30 AM.


1. Technical group: Ken Kugel will lead bit more technical track to Laguna Hanson; the route will be determined depending on the skill set of the participating riders, then will continue to Mikes (after lunch. This group will stop at the Kurt Caselli Memorial on the way.

2. Slower big bikes/noobs: Arnie will lead a slower big bike group through La Rumorosa to Laguna Hanson on the way down then back through the Compadre Trail on the way back. Depending on the skills and bikes, Arnie will try and stop at the KC memorial before Mikes.

3. Trucks and cars leave out of TJ: Meet at San Ysidro Insurance Office on June 14, 2014, and leave at 7:30AM. The address is 4575 Camino De La PlazaSan Ysidro, CA 92173.

The trucks will head to Ensenada and head to Laguna Hanson off the S3. Dana's dad will lead the trucks; cars can make the trip to Dana's Memorial site without any problems. If you would like to continue to Mike's, a higher clearance vehicle is recommended.

Please share the event on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1473.../?notif_t=like