Rolling to the January Jam in Rocky Level, Mexico | Favourite Experience

January generally is a merciless month for motorcyclists. Even in sunny southern climates, chilly temperatures could make prolonged rides an train in discomfort. That’s why I make an annual winter sojourn south to the land of tequila and tacos for some using and music on the January Jam in Puerto Peñasco – or Rocky Level – Mexico.

After topping off my tank on the lone American border gasoline station in Lukeville, Arizona, nice ambient temperatures combined comfortably with radiating warmth from the cylinders of my BMW GS as I idled within the gradual parade on the border crossing. Rumble strips, distant cameras, armed brokers, and concrete obstacles marked the intimidating border safety protocol.

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My anxiousness was tempered by the data that I had my geese in a row. I had bought my three-day Mexican bike insurance coverage, and I had my passport, registration, and license useful. The camouflaged border agent motioned for me to carry my tinted faceshield after which waved me via. Identical to that, I used to be in hustling, bustling Sonoyta. Males rushed at vehicles with squeegees, girls held up packages of tortillas on the market, and site visitors was frenetic. 

I knew what to do on this dusty border city. I stored my head on a swivel and rode beneath the posted pace restrict. Native police cluster by the border and on the southern fringe of city with eagle eyes for vacationers who drive like they’re nonetheless within the U.S. It’s not an affordable ticket for those who get stopped.

Sonoyta has the colourful, casual vibe of most Mexican cities, however I stored using south. Whereas the temperature again residence in Arizona was hovering within the 40s, I smiled because the studying on my sprint indicated 72. Yep, simply what the physician ordered.

Associated: Baja Enlightenment: Driving Mexico’s Decrease California Peninsula

On Freeway 8 towards Puerto Peñasco, I handed dozens of descansos (“resting locations” in Spanish), memorials which might be intriguing, sobering, and sometimes fairly lovely. They vary from miniature concrete shrines to thematic collages. One honored a Dallas Cowboys fan.

I additionally handed an indication that learn “Trouble Free Car Zone.” Uninformed vacationers typically mistake these indicators to imply relaxed site visitors and pace guidelines. Not true, my pals. They only imply fewer paperwork laws for vacationer journey.  

The highway from the border to Puerto Peñasco is straight and barren, however there’s something to be mentioned for an open-throttle roll via the nice and cozy desert within the lifeless of winter.

On the finish of this 70-mile stretch, I came across a bunch of Mexican sportbikers who had been chatting alongside the dusty roadside. The half dozen crotch-rocketeers waved and saluted as I approached. They had been very happy to pose for a photograph for a lone gringo moto-tourist earlier than pulling a bunch U-turn and roaring again towards the coast. 

Simply as Puerto Peñasco/Rocky Level goes by each Mexican and English names, it has two distinct personalities. There’s the previous city itself, teeming with road distributors, rusted autos, and colourful buildings, exuding the character of a conventional fishing village. Road taco stands waft fragrant clouds, and small bikes mounted with huge transport containers function supply autos. 

Then there’s the brand new, principally American-owned resort neighborhood in Sandy Seashore north of city. Upscale resorts line the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. What Sandy Seashore lacks in conventional character, it replaces with consolation and security for worldwide vacationers. 

Each areas served as staging factors for my weekend’s actions through the January Jam, which is the brainchild of Roger Clyne, the charismatic entrance man for Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Clyne is an entertainer with a voluminous catalog of nice songs and an enthusiastic following within the Southwest and past. 

For the jam, Clyne assembles a lineup of achieved musicians and invitations followers to congregate in Puerto Peñasco for 3 days of music, golf, and basic reverie. Music fills the ocean air, and tequila flows, particularly Clyne’s personal premium spirit, Canción, fittingly named after the Spanish phrase for “music.” 

There are every day and nightly concert events at Clyne’s watering gap, Banditos, in addition to performances at different venues in Sandy Seashore and Rocky Level. We loved the acquainted tunes of Clyne’s band in addition to David Lowery of Cracker, the Mexican-influenced sounds of The Jons from Tucson, and the energetic rock mix of Miles Neilson and the Rusted Coronary heart.

After a weekend of sampling conventional Mexican meals, listening to nice music, and using to close by fishing villages, the time got here to move again north. It was over too quickly.

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