Day 135, true desert riding!

Published on 21 November 2022 at 13:33

Day 135, November 18, 43.8km and 414m climb, Agua Caliente to freedom camp Diablo Dropoff, Anza-Borrego Desert

Wow, what a day! We left early and had a pleasant , predominantly downhill, 20km on tar seal with one climb at the end. That climb took us to the start of the Canyon Sin Hombre. A steep, sandy drop before a more gentle meander down into the desert. It was a harsh introduction with both of us falling off within 100m of the start! Once we'd got that sorted, we figured out our approach and the rest of the day was easier.

The route wound through the first canyon, out onto a plateau and then up through another spectacular canyon. The best approach was mostly alongside the 4wd track, but not always! Sometimes being in the track was better and often we only figured that out after an impromptu get off! Vice versa was also applicable!

The desert is stunning and the recent rain has resulted in an unseasonal bloom with purple and yellow flowers lining a lot of the track on the plateau. There are also a few creepy crawlies around! 

After 40km or so, we turned onto the Diablo Drop-off track. Not knowing what this was, we had great fun in discovering two sandy drop offs for both our riding and viewing pleasure. We are currently camped between the two drop offs so have enjoyed watching several vehicles and motorbikes attempt the drop offs. Most are going down like us but a couple have gone up which has also been fun to watch. Not everyone has been successful the first time I might add!

We have never spent any sustained time in the desert, let alone ridden it, so we are loving the terrain, views, sunsets and camping. The nights are not particularly cold so we are warm and the days are in the 20s so lovely riding conditions. We are definitely enjoying this part of our journey where our approach is no longer about getting along the route as efficiently as possible, but stopping where we find a nice spot and staying a couple of nights if we feel like it. We doubt we will make it to Mexico on the bikes as we are likely to run out of time!

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