Costa Rica Unbound! Getting dirty in Central America!
- Thread starter NitroRoo
- Start date
New to this forum, but I just wrote up this ride report yesterday, so I thought I'd go ahead and share it!
I guess you could say my job has its perks... For those of you who don't know, I work for Competition Accessories as their product review specialist. This involves evaluating and testing new products as they come to market, as well as developing our in house brands (such as Sliders Kevlar Gear). It helps that I love anything with two wheels. Cruisers, dirt bikes, sport bikes, scooters, and anything in between. I'd rather be riding than doing just about anything else! Working with the gear that makes riding even more enjoyable comes in at a close second.
This past week I had the privilege of being flown to Costa Rica as part of a Michelin rewards program with Western Power Sports (our Michelin distributor). The mission: ride dirt bikes through the jungles and experience another adventure! I had been looking forward to this trip for months, so you can imagine my excitement when I was finally on the plane!
Hello, beautiful!
Making my way through immigration I wasn't really sure how easy it would be to find my ride. Fortunately we both had the foresight to wear moto related t-shirts, and we found eachother right outside the terminal. Rain was pouring down as we loaded the gear bags into the van, and the drive from San Jose to Jaco was already proving to be a good start to the adventure!
Michelin had made our arrangements through Costa Rica Unbound, a company that specializes in off-road moto tours of the country. Our accommodations were at the Marea Brava Resort, right on the Pacific Ocean. Home for the next few days:
The first day was a free day to just kick back, relax, and enjoy the slower paced life of Costa Rica. I could get used to this...
I did spend some time boogie boarding in the Pacific. Absolutely perfect waves!
As the sun set it was time to head into town for some dinner...
I selected the ahi tuna steak with crab guacamole. It was SO good!
The next day was sure to bring some serious adventure!
NICE, really nice pic's...HINT: Try to keep the ugly people out of the pictures though, kinda ruins the whole affect! ..
.and by the way your job must really suck! You probably walk around repeating "man it sucks to be me"......
That is the best Ride Report i have seen on here yet. Now to the important question, how do i go about getting a job like yours?
Awesome Report, and welcome to DBA. I was wondering if you were taking applications for a assistant? I will work for cheap, and will cover my own gas.
You've already got the "take-pic-of-self" part nailed
..... I think you'd be a shoe in! 
... we could call you Boy ....Oh Boy, bring me my boots, I feel like a ride in the jungle today. 
GULP
what a report!!!!!!! Nicely done
Where does a "woman" get a job like that?
Im dead serious! I need THAT job!
I need to pour a cup of coffee and watch the videos now. Im still getting over the pics. Now I get to watch some vids
Thanks for sharing here and making me/us so envious! Your are living the dream of so many here!
I hope you do post again and welcome
what a report!!!!!!! Nicely done
Where does a "woman" get a job like that?
Im dead serious! I need THAT job!I need to pour a cup of coffee and watch the videos now. Im still getting over the pics. Now I get to watch some vids
Thanks for sharing here and making me/us so envious! Your are living the dream of so many here!
I hope you do post again and welcome
Excellent RR thanks for sharing.
thanks for sharing.
Did any of you actually watch the entire video of Day 1 or Day 2? Day 2 begins with the same crap in Day 1...
No trails. 100% roads. The guy picks a YZ 450 and he can't ride it? He needs help from the sweep rider to ride a road? The "hard spot" is a road? Of course the sweeper comes back to ride his bike on the "road".
He thinks its cool to ride roads and passes a car and nearly gets in a head on. But it was important to tell us how fast he went?
He races by homes, horseback riders, cars and drifts to the wrong side of the road on blind turns. Passed a couple locals and splashed them as he rode thru puddles. Rides like a complete jerk! Responsible riders slow down when riding by someones home(s). Passing a horseback rider, slow down. Don't splash locals as you pass.
I hate ride reports that make Dirt Bike riders look like complete jerks.
I will write Western Power Sports about sponsoring such rides. These guys are not "riders". They work in the industry and get paid vacations. Creating a bad image where ever they go...Not a very good promotion of Costa Rica riding vacations. They would have to "pay" me to go ride that, then I would sit on the beach and skip the ride.
No trails. 100% roads. The guy picks a YZ 450 and he can't ride it? He needs help from the sweep rider to ride a road? The "hard spot" is a road? Of course the sweeper comes back to ride his bike on the "road".
He thinks its cool to ride roads and passes a car and nearly gets in a head on. But it was important to tell us how fast he went?
He races by homes, horseback riders, cars and drifts to the wrong side of the road on blind turns. Passed a couple locals and splashed them as he rode thru puddles. Rides like a complete jerk! Responsible riders slow down when riding by someones home(s). Passing a horseback rider, slow down. Don't splash locals as you pass.
I hate ride reports that make Dirt Bike riders look like complete jerks.
I will write Western Power Sports about sponsoring such rides. These guys are not "riders". They work in the industry and get paid vacations. Creating a bad image where ever they go...Not a very good promotion of Costa Rica riding vacations. They would have to "pay" me to go ride that, then I would sit on the beach and skip the ride.
I thought the exact same thing, but didn't want to be called out as the troll again
It was all roads.... 51 miles.... about ~1hr of riding?
Get out of here with your stinking Costa Rica report. I dont like it
and you suck!! Is that what you are saying? Gee Dave, it seems a bit harsh but with some valid points made. I think you want his job like I do
And just so you know Dave, I think your riding
and reports are epic too
WOW!!
Really Dave??? That was a bit harsh. Maybe the guy is new to riding and doesn't know proper etiquette, maybe instead of slamming his report, a little constructive criticism would be better. What's that old saying? "you get more flies with honey"
Sorry it looked so lame to you.. wait, no I'm not Nowhere did I claim to be an expert rider, but I guarantee that all of us are true enthusiasts and have a passion for riding. I also completely disagree that we were disrespectful or created a bad image. Actually, most towns we rode through people came out with big smiles to watch the dirt bikes. There was quite a bit of singletrack that the Polaris couldn't fit through. As usual the videos don't tell the whole story - you really can't tell how slick it was or how rutted up some of the roads were. That ride was about 4.5 hours, of which 2 we were stopped (so a bit over 2 hours of actual riding).I thought the exact same thing, but didn't want to be called out as the troll again
My comments have little to do with your riding ability. It has to do with your irresponsible riding depicted in your video. Your visiting a foreign country, as a Guest of WPS/Michelin. Your report sets yourself up as a product tester/experianced rider.
I was not aware that you where driving the Polaris? Interesting excuse, for skipping the trails. One does not need to be an "Expert" rider to enjoy trail riding. However, you report mentions "trails", what trails are presented in your video?
My observation is based on viewing your video. Riding slow, no problem. The issue is the irresponsible riding you present in your video.
Perhaps those that have been to Randsburg understand my issue with this video. The problem is not the skill level of the rider. Riders of all skill levels ride to Randsburg, some take a longer, more challenging loop. How do you feel about the riders who get on the gas, in Randsburg? Race down the street, pull a wheelie, once they get in town. The privledge to ride into town goes away.
Having common since is not about ones skill level. Those people did not pay to watch you race thru ones village, town or city. Have a talk with Malcom Smith, he loves Baja. He respects the people and he slows down when he comes into a village or rides past someones home. Its called respect for the locals.
I was not aware that you where driving the Polaris? Interesting excuse, for skipping the trails. One does not need to be an "Expert" rider to enjoy trail riding. However, you report mentions "trails", what trails are presented in your video?
My observation is based on viewing your video. Riding slow, no problem. The issue is the irresponsible riding you present in your video.
Perhaps those that have been to Randsburg understand my issue with this video. The problem is not the skill level of the rider. Riders of all skill levels ride to Randsburg, some take a longer, more challenging loop. How do you feel about the riders who get on the gas, in Randsburg? Race down the street, pull a wheelie, once they get in town. The privledge to ride into town goes away.
Having common since is not about ones skill level. Those people did not pay to watch you race thru ones village, town or city. Have a talk with Malcom Smith, he loves Baja. He respects the people and he slows down when he comes into a village or rides past someones home. Its called respect for the locals.
Dave, you sound like an experienced rider who has had some bad experiences with your local area becoming more and more restricted to riding. Have you spent much time in Central or South America? I've spent a lot of time in Mexico, some in Bolivia, and lived in Venezuela for 4 years. Concerns about having your riding privileges or trails taken away in these countries are virtually non-existent.
I can appreciate the concern for not upsetting the locals. We had 4 guides with us throughout these rides who were local to the area, and knew a lot of the people in the towns we stopped in. We were more or less "following the leader" here (when in Rome...) I may have been traveling 30-40 mph past some houses, but I was careful not to splash or roost anyone that I passed. Once again every time we stopped the locals were very friendly and interested in what we were doing. I did not see one person that looked like they were upset with us being there.
You say
If you've never ridden in this type of clay/mud you have no idea how little traction there is. Note that the back tire is nearly buried here. I had a hard time walking up this "road," yet you seem to think this would be a boring Sunday ride.
Obviously well back into my lane in a passing zone with plenty of room to spare. I added the top speed comment purely for entertainment value - if you don't like it that's ok, others will.
This obviously wasn't 6" singletrack, but I'd still call them trails...
I have never been to Randsburg or Baja, but I have met Malcom, great guy! Again I respect where you are coming from, but my videos are from Central America, not California (and it's common sEnse
). If I ever come ride in your area, I'll be sure to follow the laws of the land
I can appreciate the concern for not upsetting the locals. We had 4 guides with us throughout these rides who were local to the area, and knew a lot of the people in the towns we stopped in. We were more or less "following the leader" here (when in Rome...) I may have been traveling 30-40 mph past some houses, but I was careful not to splash or roost anyone that I passed. Once again every time we stopped the locals were very friendly and interested in what we were doing. I did not see one person that looked like they were upset with us being there.
You say
but yet...
This mud was knee deep and was at the end of the ride. I was exhausted. Only two of us in our group attempted this one, the rest went around on a bypass and were waiting. Not wanting to get stuck again and hold the group up further, yes the sweep rider rode it up the hill for me
If you've never ridden in this type of clay/mud you have no idea how little traction there is. Note that the back tire is nearly buried here. I had a hard time walking up this "road," yet you seem to think this would be a boring Sunday ride.
Since not everyone is going to have the chance to watch the full videos, here is the "near head on" Dave is referring to
Obviously well back into my lane in a passing zone with plenty of room to spare. I added the top speed comment purely for entertainment value - if you don't like it that's ok, others will.
I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or if you misunderstood me. I was not in the Polaris, I was just explaining that several of the trails were too narrow for it to fit through. I rode all of the sections that were available to us to ride, didn't skip any of it. I'm not sure what YOUR definition of trails is, but these are all from the day 1 video:
This obviously wasn't 6" singletrack, but I'd still call them trails...
Care to re-evaluate that statement?
I have never been to Randsburg or Baja, but I have met Malcom, great guy! Again I respect where you are coming from, but my videos are from Central America, not California (and it's common sEnse
). If I ever come ride in your area, I'll be sure to follow the laws of the land