Baja Bound (Part 8)

This entry is part 8 of 23 in the series Baja Bound

April 12, 2023

By Simon J. Lau

Today, I had my first road spill on the way to San Javier Mission. The route had several modest water crossings, which in this desert landscape feel almost out of place. They are shallow streams that cut across otherwise dry roadways. They don’t look intimidating at first, but the surfaces can be unpredictable, with algae making the ground slick like ice.

This last crossing seemed small enough, but I didn’t notice the algae until it was too late. The bike slipped out from under me, I spun, and went down. When I stopped sliding, I found myself pinned beneath the bike. I struggled to free myself, and after some effort managed to slide it off my boot.

Fortunately, I had all my gear on and came away with only a few scrapes and a bruised elbow. I’d call that lucky. It was a low-speed crash, and the gear did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Even so, I’m a little shaken. I promised Jean I’d make it back to her in one piece, and I intend to keep that promise. I’ll be spending the next day nursing my wounds and processing what happened. I’m still new to motorcycling, and it’s clear I have a lot to learn. My goal now is to take this as a lesson, to improve, and to keep getting better.

This incident, however, did not stop me from visiting the mission. After establishing Mission Loreto in 1697, the Jesuits expanded into the surrounding mountains and founded San Javier Mission in 1699. It became the second oldest mission in Baja and remains one of the best preserved, with thick stone walls and a baroque style facade that still stands much as it did centuries ago.

Not surprisingly, I was still sore from the fall, so I took a break and enjoyed a cold lemonade nearby. It was exactly what I needed at that point in time, and honestly the best part of the visit.

Later, I rode back to Loreto for dinner. I can’t end this on all gloom and doom, so here’s a brighter note. A photo of Carnello, the restaurant owner’s dog, keeping me company at dinner. There’s nothing like a dog and a few pets to make things better.