The award-winning Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride, known to many as “The Original Party on Wheels,” will celebrate its 33rd anniversary on May 5. Each year, thousands of cyclists flock to the starting line at Rosarito Beach for the 50-mile ride through Baja.

Amateurs and experienced cyclists alike cruise down the coast, confront the formidable El Tigre, and cross rural countryside to the finish in Ensenada. But the fun doesn’t end there: at the Finish Line Fiesta, cyclists relax and enjoy refreshments and live music until sunset on the Ensenada waterfront.

The Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride is a celebration of Cinco de Mayo, the date in 1862 when an ill-equipped Mexican army at Puebla defeated 8,000 French troops sent by Napoleon, who planned to establish a Latin Empire in Mexico. The victory prevented the French from taking over Mexico, and no European forces have invaded a country in the Americas since.

The bike course

The ride starts at 10 a.m. and follows a course on entirely paved roads. The course is rated “moderately difficult,” and avid riders can expect to finish in approximately 2 hours. More casual cyclists average about 4 hours. The first 22 miles follow the ocean, taking riders through charming beach towns and through rugged, undeveloped coastline. The terrain is mostly flat with some rolling hills, until riders turn inland to meet El Tigre, a mesa that towers 800 feet above the valley floor. Many riders aren’t too proud to walk the worst of the 2-mile climb; however, it’s a great place to take in the scenery.

Cyclists then enjoy 8 miles of rural countryside, followed by an exhilarating descent back toward the ocean. There are four aid stations along the length of the course, where cyclists can rehydrate with free Powerade and Ciel purified water, use a restroom, or access bike repair services. Food is not provided at the aid stations, so plan to bring your own fuel.

Where to watch

Spectators attending the event should head south for the Finish Line Fiesta at Hotel Corona. Cyclists and their friends and families are invited to enjoy food from Ensenada’s finest restaurants, Corona beer, great prices on T-shirts, posters and other souvenirs, massages, and live rock-n-roll until sunset on the waterfront.

Registration is available online through May 4. The cost is US$35, plus US$10 for an elite start, which applies to cyclists who will average 15 mph on the course. Participants can also purchase extras including medical insurance, jerseys, and shuttle-bus transportation when registering for an additional cost. Refer to the Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride official event page for specific information.

Cyclists can register at the event for US$40, and slightly higher prices also apply for additional amenities. Only cash is accepted at day-of registration, which will take place on May 4 and 5 in the parking lot of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. For cyclists who register online after April 20, this is also the location of will-call for race packet pick-up.

How to get there

Rosarito Beach is located about 45 minutes south of the U.S. border in Baja, California. As of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens must hold a passport or passport card in order to cross into Mexico. The nearest international airport is in San Diego, and there are a number of lodging options in both Rosarito and Ensenada. See you there!

Need more encouragement? PBS’s Crossing South recently covered the ride:

Watch Rosarito: Bike Race on PBS. See more from Crossing South.

If you’ve participated in or been a spectator at previous Rosarito Ensenada Bike Rides, share your story with us!

Rosarito lies along the highway that connects Tijuana to Ensenada.  From skyscrapers, colonial hotel buildings, and spas to art galleries, shopping, and lobster, this beachfront resort town has a lot to offer visitors from near and far.

Image courtesy of Laura Wong

Surfing

Winter is prime surfing time, especially at beaches like Punta Mezquite. Here, the Pacific Ocean provides great views and ideal sport fishing conditions.  Nearby, you can find shops specializing in surfing and all kinds of water sports equipment.

Vibrant nightlife is another attraction: numerous bars and clubs have been the main engine for growth in Rosarito.

History

It all started during the 1920s, when the Rosarito Beach Hotel was built in Belgian-style architecture. It remains a local icon to this day.

No less important in the growth of Rosarito is the Hotel Calafia. It was designed with inspiration from important Spanish forts of the 16th century. It offers museum exhibits devoted to the history of Baja California and the movie Titanic, along with a replica of Columbus caravels.  As part of its commitment to the full satisfaction to its guests, the hotel offers spacious indoor and outdoor settings for weddings and conventions, as well as a bilingual trained staff.

Art and Film

Just down the road is the movie theme park, Xploration. This interactive cinema museum is an annex of a studio that was constructed in 1995 by Fox to film the movie Titanic. Visitors can learn about techniques used in film productions, such as models, animatronics, green screen, and sound effects. The Titanic exhibition presents several complete scenarios, props, and a legendary transatlantic boat in scale model. Other attractions in the park include the ship used in the filming of the movie Master and Commander and some tape scenarios used in the X-Men films.

Heading south toward Ensenada, you will pass through Popotla and the Artisans corridor, with a number of art galleries and shops selling Mexican crafts, furniture and home decorations. Look for wood furniture and handicrafts in clay and iron, among other decorative items. A few miles further south, you will arrive  in Puerto Nuevo, Baja’s lobster capital. Following local tradition, restaurants fry the lobsters in oil and serve them with red rice, refried beans and fresh, handmade flour tortillas. This is a must-try for those who travel to eat.

Outdoors

The Rosarito Canyon features vegetable gardens and flower fields that belong to various ranches and are open to the public. Other options for recreation include swimming pools and horseback riding trails.

For golf, try the Real Del Mar Golf Course and Hotel, which has an 18-hole course with challenging fairways and great ocean views.

Information courtesy of the Baja California State Tourism Secretariat.