Glen Plake Reports From Abroad – Baja, Mexico
Winter is coming, so let’s get our last bits of summer in now – and if possible get in shape for it at the same time. Myself, I am in Baja Mexico right now enjoying the biggest distraction in my life! Some people surf, some golf others sail boats or ride bikes leave it to someone who travels over 300 days a year to use the Baja 1000 race as a “vacation”, but sure enough once again this is the case.
It’s the 40th annual, so the race has been lengthened to 1300 miles ending in Cabo San Lucas as opposed to the normal Baja 1000 finish in La Paz. *A little known fact is I have been racing in Baja since 1997, and was a class winner in 2000. Racing the 1000 is an adventure and I am proud to say I have had the opportunity to race it (old school true grit butt kicker i.e. Gunbarrel 25…) but back to my vacation – fun in the sun in Baja translated: 250 miles a day on your dirt bike, leathers on, 100 degrees – (this helps knock off the excess pounds accumulated during the last 8 w eeks of travel) – and it’s dangerous! “perfect sign me up!” So here I am riding from Loreto Baja Mexico, pre-running (practicing) the last 425 miles which I am responsible for as a member of the Kore Performance team, racing a Dodge pick-up truck #867 driver of record Kent Kroeker (you can follow our progress online at http://www.score-international.com/baja1000/index.ihtml).
Nov 13 we expect to finish in 35 hours or so if everything goes perfect. Being surrounded by all the equipment it takes to race is overwhelming, tow trucks/trailers, race truck, parts for everything hotels etc… in a way it’s kinda like skiing. At some point you have to decide that you want to go racing or skiing and begin preparations/ make the committment, purchase the equiptment needed. If you want to be a skier one purchase that must be made is a season pass. Forget all the fancy new gear, the pass is the most important piece of equiptment for someone making the committment to this winter. It’s your ticket to freedom – ski an hour a day or all day, ski one day a week or every day this year.
Growing up in Tahoe I didn’t always know where I would be living or working but it didn’t matter I knew where I’d be skiing. I had my pass. After I pick up my trophy – hahahaha – for winning the Baja 1000, I am heading up to Heavenly to get my picture taken for this year. Ski you there!
-Glen
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:10 pm
so sick bro! I have seen these on TV. Brutal racing in the pitch black night. One pit hole your done.
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:25 am
Hi Glen, I look forward to seeing that trophy!! Not sure if you are a coffee fan, but if you are make sure to visit “The Cabo Coffee Co.” on Hidalgo while you are in Cabos San Lucas. Daniel Gibb (owner) not only makes the best cup of joe in town, but roasts his own beans and sells wholesale.
Shain and I had plans to visit with you and Kimberly this past summer in NV to do some barefooting but somehow we got so caught playing the time flew by. We ended up putting over 225 ours on the Mastercraft this summer.
We’ll keep an eye out for you and Kimberly at Heavenly, maybe hit some moguls and rails together. Looking forward to another great winter on the slopes.
Best regards to you and Kimberly.
November 4th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Drive it like you stole it dude. Me and the wife will be up for the Warren Miller thing in Dec. Hope we get to see you. Good Luck
November 8th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Hey Glen, long time no see, talk, here, etc. I’ve been trying (somewhat) to find a way to get ahold of you since Scot Donaldson & I saw “Blizzard” way-back-when. That’s cool your running the 1000, my dad used to run the 500, 1000, mint 400, snore 250, etc. He won quite a few overalls & classes with the likes of Roger Mears, Bobby Ferro, Malcome Smith, Pete Brock, etc. I’m up in Spokane Washington skiing locally teaching my 11 year old how to “bomb fearlessly” prior to drowning her in technique. I miss Tahoe… no steeps or cliffs for miles (of course that didn’t stop me from breaking my shoulder & tearing the muscle, tendon & cartilage around it… I skied the next week!) Hey, maybe if your up here we could cut it up (Paul Mayer runs 49′ North up here).
November 8th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Hey Glen,
Sounds like a great way to break up kidney stones! Lol…
Me I like to hang beachside and drink Sammy’s liquor! If you like sushi, you have to visit Nik-san for some of the best sushi you will EVER eat….Hate to say this on this site cause I like to support the locals, so EAT AT THE NAKED FISH! (when you are not in Cabo!)
I doubt that you will remember, but I got a chance to ski (chase) with you and M.H when he was just a rep 4K2, and I was just some hard goods jockey (84 or 85?)…Times have changed…
Thanks for motivating me to get in sufficient shape to ski the 25 again this year. It has been 20 years. I hope to have my daughter and son skiing it with me in 2010 and 2014… I guess I better find your secret to timeless aging!
Cheers
November 15th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Hi Glen & Kimberley,
Just done my last day skinning up Broken River & over to Craigieburn. Off to eattle, Whistler & Red before Xmas. Then Gulmarg Kashmir Himalaya in Feb………
Be great to catch up and hike a few lines…..I’m getting a pair of Dalbello VIRUS for Gulmarg.
Martin