Rosarito/Ensenada 50-mile Bike Ride

Did this fun ride with some friends in September 2015. It’s a must do in a lifetime experience it felt 100% secure and the views are breath taking! I absolutely loved it and look toward to doing more fun runs. The people are super friendly (staff and participants) it is somewhat tough but a great obstacle to overcome. I have a YouTube video up if anyone would like to check it out. Just time in ROSARITO2ENSENADA 50 MILE FUN RIDE

Whoever called this a fun ride needs to get there head examined. Were they talking about the party at the end or the excitement at the beginning, because the ride itself is no picnic. The ride took me 6 hours to complete and that was small breaks and no walking. I never imagined I was going to be sitting on a bike seat for so long. El Tigre or should I say señor el Tigre, the long hill climb really tested me. Going into the ride I thought downhill would be the most dangerous, but actually the el Tigre climb is. People tire and slow down and clusters form. My feet were clipped to the pedal and at one point a walker got back on his bike and moved a group in front of me causing me to come to sudden stop and I fell. I was at a standstill, but falling off with your feet attached hurts. On the same climb I got stung on the chin by a bee and at the same time a bee went into my helmet and couldn’t get out. Pulling over and stopping to get the bee out of my helmet almost caused me to crash again.
The organizers do an awesome job. Checking the bike in for parking at the end was a breeze. The water station workers did a great job. The party at the end is a sight to see. Ambulances and police everywhere. Taxis in Ensenada offer rides back to rosarito for $ 20 giving you another option.

SOooooo much fun.
I had no idea that something could be so organized and well run in Mexico.
Just did my first Rosarito Ensenada Bike ride and this certainly will not be my last.
My husband rides much faster that I and after the first ten miles I let him go and ride at his own speed as I felt so safe. I meet lots of friendly people on the ride and truly enjoyed the scenery. Was fortunate as it was on the scenic route as the toll road is till under construction. I am ready to try the inland route next May and tackle El Tigre.
Anybody that is in decent shape can make this ride. People of all types are on this ride. As we were leaving Ensenada yesterday afternoon there were still some people coming in Ranging from 2 hours to over 6 hours. I did it in 3 ½ hrs not bad for a 50 year old woman that just got into riding.

Read My Review, Short And To The Point. Amazing event! World class course, fairly well organized, absolutely stunningly beautiful ride. The food at the finish line festival is superb. In the words of Anthony Burdain, you would not expect this quality seafood to come of a street cart, but it does. Savichi and baked clams with churiso alone are worth the 50 mile ride. Do this thing, and remember to buy Mexico car insurance. Also, keep in mind traffic in and out of mexico, plan accordingly.

Ok, so let me preface by saying I am an obese female, but I road bike 2 – 3 times per week and trained for this ride. Also, I have done other charity bike rides, sprint triathlons, 5K and 10K’s ect. Have a lot of experience with fun and charity rides/​runs ect.
This ride was no joke. When you look at the route map do not be fooled. Half of this ride is up hill and the other half is down hill in no certain order (25 miles up, not all at once scattered through the ride).
Now, I thought I was doing pretty good as there are long rolling hills and up grades throughout the ride and remember looking down at my speedometer at mile 23 and thought I can do this not a problem. Ohh, was I wrong El Tigre is a big hairy female dog. I rode about ½ mile of this and walked my unhappy but up the rest. What really got to me though was the fact that on the map it appears to be a plateau after El Tigre. Screw that, it is hill after hill when I was already exhausted from my 2 mile trek up El Tigre. Did I mention I trained for this ride. Ya right, I do not know how to even begin to train for this ride.
Not only was the above an issue, but some of the rest stops were out of water. I mean how can you be out of water. The rode was unpaved at times, there was fresh tar on one section of the ride which got all over my tires and shoes (which are clippless and of course that was another hill which I walked partially up). I could not clip in if I wanted to after that. There are huge divets, ruts, cracks ect on the road and at times I was flying at almost 40 miles an hour. I saw 2 sweep trucks the entire ride, 2 ambulances and 1 vehicle which I believe was a SAG, but am not sure re: it was not marked. Also, multiple riders are first time or second time riders, so be cautious re: they will just swerve in front of you or stop and if you do not speak Spanish they do not understand on your right and left. To whomever states this ride is a well oiled machine. I would be interested to know what rides they have done in the past.
In the end I bonked at mile 36 and had a lovely family take me to the finish line. I will do this ride again, because I am determined to complete it. We also had a lovely stay in Rosarito and would like to stay longer next time.
By the way my in-​laws who would be considered moderate cyclists finished this ride in a little over 3 hours, but stated it felt equivalent to some of the 110 mile rides they have done (if that tells you anything).

This was a great ride, lots of people and was taken from San Diego to The Start line then back again, was cake!

So I haven’t been on a bike in… I don’t know, 14 – 15 years. I don’t even own a bike. Friend says, «Let’s the this 50 mile bike ride from Rosarito to Ensenada», and I’m like SURE!
Fast forward to the week before the race and luckily for me sites like craigslist exists so I can find almost anything you want and have it in your hands new or used that day. I had been searching for a few weeks prior to the event, and finally found a bike (TREK 7300 Hybrid) that looks like it will work for me. Take it to TREK two days before the event for a tune up and on my way to Ensenada I go…
The course itself is very scenic, with ocean views, rolling hills and sprawling farms along the course. I recall you do 15 – 20 miles running parallel to the Mexico «1» highway, and then you go into the old road where it is rolling hills and country type views. There is a couple of spots where you can rest and grab something to eat/​drink (bring cash) along the way. There is also people setting up makeshift sands selling water, drinks, Gatorade, granola bars, even torta’s. That’s right, torta’s…you won’t go hungry. Just bring some cash and you’ll be fine. Also, bring hard candy to toss out to the kids along the route. Not sure if it is a tradition of some sort but I saw a lot of riders tossing candy. Bring a bag in your back pack.
The craziest, coolest part of the course? Coming down famed «El Tigre» at 35 – 40 miles an hour with nothing but you and a plastic helmet protecting you from the asphalt. I mean, you come just flying down the road in a way that is tough to describe. Worth every bit of that hell-​ish climb up the hill just to come down at ungodly, unsafe speeds. I rush to experience at least once!
Finished the course with my friend and another fellow Unilocaler (Ana G.) that did the course, and had tacos and beer at the finish line. We locked up our bikes for $ 3 – 4 at a secure area and checked out the festivities. Big party going on, and from here you can hang or head out to the local bars for more fun.
Stay in Rosarito and get shuttled back to the start line, that is the best way to go. I stayed in Ensenada and drove back to Rosarito, which was definitely backwards. If you stay in Rosarito then you and your bike can get shuttled back for $ 20. That is what my friend did and that is what I will be doing when I go back for another 50 mile ride. Going to beat that 5 hr mark next time. See you in 2013.

I CANT WAIT!!!
Love love love this ride. Adriana P and I pinky-​swore to do it EVERY single year until the day we die. It is that much fun. The first year, it took us about 8.5 hours, which is beyond pathetic, but we have been shortening it more and more and now I can do it in 5 hours.
The semi-​freefall glide down the side of El Tigre is an experience like no other. It is beautiful and exhilirating and life affirming — so long as you ride the brake a little all the way down, because it is steep and can be dangerous. Someone I know had to be helicoptered out of there, so be cautious. Still, that freefall is SO worth walking the bike up that mountain for, like, an hour. Make sure you have a comfy seat for this one though, or wear one of those padded biking shorts.
The party at the finish line is bomb, with tons of places to get beer & tacos, plus a stage where they have music and/​or dance competitions. I won the quebradita contest, of course!
Maybe this year I will follow in my dad’s footsteps and fill the camelback with dos equis instead of water. He SWEARS the beer gave him the carbs he needed and took the edge off of the pain, haha :)
The t-​shirt designs are always rad. Who’s riding this year?

Oh el Tigre, my nemesis, my friend. Ok, who am I kidding, I don’t need friends like that!
I’ve done this ride several times and honestly I have a blast every time. I’ve never completed September because I’ve heard that the temperatures can be unbearable so I’ve stuck to the spring ride.
First of all to get a complete picture of the ride, the entire story needs to be told. As you have probably figured out, the ride is from Rosarito to Ensenada, Mexico and it was my first organized «fun» ride. Well my friends and I decided to go to Rosarito the night before. Have you ever tried driving through TJ at night time? Who needs Six Flags when you have TJ that close? I felt as though I was playing frogger trying to dodge all the pedestrians crossing the roads. Fortunately for me, I was the one in the vehicle. Anyway, we made it to our condo and started to psych ourselves up for the ride the next day. Apparently psyching up consists of mixed vodka drinks. Well it apparently must be a fun ride because the streets were very active with fellow bikers who apparently were under the thought process… we don’t need no stinkin sleep.
The morning arrives and we head to the starting line thinking all the crazies from the night before would still be sleeping. Hell no… they were there and first in line. All you could see was a sea of bikers lining the streets, basically as far as your eyes could see. You need to find a place in line which I think we were back near the US border and then crotch walk your bike to the official starting line until you can even dream about getting on your saddle. So you’re thinking, «ok, now I can get on my bike and fly». Well keep dreaming buddy. With that many riders, you have to get to about mile 10 before riders start thinning out and you’re actually allowed to ride free flowing. Now this is not a negative thing… because you have very nice views of the coast and it lulls you into a false sense of security that this ride won’t be so bad. It is at that point where you start to see el Tigre and you say to yourself, «this won’t be so bad».
Peddling further on, you start to move inland and you begin your climb. Now I was warned about the «hill» you have to climb? Ants make hills and this my friends was not a hill. I’ve looked up the definition of a hill and this wasn’t it, but dammit, I was not going to let this hill get the best of me. While climbing you have several riders who you will pass and many who will pass you by. The cool thing about it is that everyone is very supportive and talks each other up the hill. I mean really… how much further can it really be? I can actually see the top of this little setback.
Finally I get to the top and I am the king of the world! I am very proud of myself that I didn’t stop on the climb nor did I have to get off my bike and walk it. I am really high on life at the moment and ready to enjoy the downhill to Ensenada. I am not really sure what el Tigre means in English but I can only assume it is «get your pussy assed bike of my road». I stop to get a quick bite to eat as well as a drink because the rest is coasting… right? Oh no, that would be too good to be true because there are two more hills that need to be climbed. WTF??? No one told me about additional hills. Is this a new route this year? Did they add these for this ride? Oh dear Lord Baby Jesus why have you forsaken me? Have I mentioned that I hate climbing? Well no sense bitching about it but in the back of my mind, I am trusting no one now. What other surprises are you going to throw at me during this ride?
Finally…I get to the top of the «last» hill and then begins the decent. What a rush and a feeling of relief that downhill actually exists in this awful awful ride. Continuously picking up speed until you basically reach the outskirts of Ensenada which is a trip in itself. Cars are lined up for miles and you’re riding next to them sucking in all of the exhaust. The last eight or so miles is all flat and you’re flying to the finish area to join the festival. This is located basically where all the cruise ships dock in Ensenada. Once to the finish line you check your bike in for storage and join the festivities. Food, beer, entertainment, massages, beer, vendors and beer. Oh, not sure if I mentioned or not but there is beer at the finish line. Actually the street tacos are the best that I’ve ever experienced. Worth the trip itself… along with the beer.
Some of the pros along the way are the locals standing along the road cheering you on through every town that you pass. It is a good idea to bring some candy along on your ride so you can throw it out to the children as you pass. They are very cute and appreciative. The scenery is unbelievable and the riders are a lot of fun to be around.
And there you have my story of my first organized ride and have been back several times since.

So I think I’m in good shape, this ride won’t be so bad. In fact, the reason I signed up for the ride with my group of 24 other riders was for the major party at the end of the ride plus rumors of taco stands, beers, and margaritas along the way that enticed me.
My plan was not to race this ride. It was a big party with some biking in between.
Now reality. There was a big party at the end where I thoroughly enjoyed myself but I did not drink one margarita or beer before crossing the finish line.
Reason? Once I got started, despite the festive air, people of all shapes and sizes on all kinds of bikes from beach cruisers to mountain bikes to road bikes, this ride was not an easy course!
Oh sure, the ride fooled me for the first 10 miles~ it’s relatively flat and fast going and I waslulled into thinking wow, this is going to be a breeze until at the first aid station (with beer, tacos, margaritas, loud music blaring) I had money out ready for some drinking when my biking buddies told me there were some hills ahead.
What? Pause. Money back in pouch. Back on bike without libations.: (The hills started. Not too bad~ but glad that I am not drunk off my *ss and dehydrated to take the ups and downs.
Then I hit El Tigre, the giant hill that my biking buddies warned me about. I was prepared. I can make this. Shifting down to my small wheel for the climb up. *hit, even though i took the bike in for a tune up right before the ride, something is wrong and I am stuck in the middle wheel. I think it’s ONE big hill, the rest of the ride is downhill, I can make this, I am not getting off my bike. So I ride the whole way up in my middle wheel. I am exhilirated when I reach the top. I made it~ I cogratulate myself, looking forward to the rest of the DOWNHILL ride.
I start riding and think why am I pedalling and not cruising? Reason? Because I am STILL going uphill. Which my biking buddies DID NOT tell me about and I thought they were my friends!
I almost had a mental breakdown right then and there on my bike.
In fact, there were THREE more hills after the El Tigre. I am delirious riding these hills stuck in my middle wheel and refusing to get off my bike. I start dreaming about being in a hot tube, soaking my bones.
Somehow, I get past the hills and the last 10 miles is again easy but by this time, the only thing I think about is the beer that is waiting for me when I cross the finish line.
With two miles left to the ride, there are strange sensations in my legs~ twitching, spasms~ and I think I am so close, let me cross the finish line riding~ even if I fall off my bike, limbs not in control. On the other side of the line!
I make it and the first place I had for are the massage tables. For $ 15 (20 mins), it was the best money I ever spent.
After I could walk again, I join the big party and had my beers, margaritas, and tacos. So satisfying. I felt like I accomplished something.
Did you think I was talking about the ride? I am talking about the big party! It was a blast!
Would I go through the 50 miles again next year for the big party. Absolutely! I need to burn off the calories beforehand for some guilt free libation consumption!

OH — MY — GOD. Becky, look at her butt. It is so, big. *scoff*
She looks like, one of those rap guys’ girlfriends…
Damn right~ this shit (cycling shorts) is padded yo! *spank myself* :oD
After I naively signed up for the Rosarito/​Ensenada bike ride, there was no way in hell I was going to ride 50 miles without maximum protection for my delicute buns ;oP
As usual, the lovely Erica C already illustrated a thorough review of the event. However my experience, which was just as amazing, was somewhat different. You see, I haven’t been on a bicycle in over 15 years! (Crazy much? I know… but I live for stuff like this~). So here you have a beginner by all means, and I was able to complete it in about 5.5 hrs.
My synopsis of the route is like this:
— First 10 miles, small rolling hills through the city and along the coast. Not too tough and wonderful view of the ocean.
— Around mile 15 – 20, more hills through the inland area and it starts to get hotter. You can see El Tigre in the distance and the winding path up the mountain.
— You hit mile 25 while you are about halfway up the mountain. In September the temperature is in the 90’s and there are few spots for shade. The elevation also makes it a little tough to take deep breaths. I wasn’t as hardcore as the other riders and had to walk parts of the hill because I was already suffering from a mild knee injury.
— Around mile 35 is when you start to go «downhill.» I put this in quotes because although you are technically going down the hill, there are plateaus and sections where there is a small incline. The whole fun of going downhill is to zoom down the mountain at 40+ mph, but whenever I saw these small hills I found myself doing facepalms and saying «are you fucking kidding me» under my breath. lol. But the last downhill is steep, fast, and fun!
— Last 8 – 10 mile stretch, ass is on fire! I promised myself that I would not get off and finish before 4pm. I pedaled with the last ounce of determination while maintaining a steady speed of about 10 – 12 mph.
— As you approach the finish line you see people clapping and cheering you on, which motivates you to keep going, but then you’re suddenly told to stop and get off once you cross. Wait, that’s it? Haha~
This is a strenuous and demanding course, but not impossible. In my opinion, complete dedication is crucial in finishing this ride. I’m not talking about physical abilities because I saw people of all shapes, sizes, ages attempt this challenge. I believe, more than anything, that it is mental. Much like a marathon or eating contest, it’s mind over matter. However, if you do find yourself having a breakdown, I think there are trucks that pick you and your bike up to take you to the finish line.
I have been wanting to sign up for this ride since 2007, but due to scheduling conflicts, lack of a bike, and rumors of it closing down I didn’t get the opportunity until now. Not only did I experience a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, but it was a very thought evoking journey for me. I eagerly look forward to doing the ride again! :o) And this time, actually physically preparing for it, because apparently going to one spin class and riding a bike for 5 mins back and forth in a parking lot does NOT qualify as training.