Epilogue

Epilogue

Knowing I wouldn’t have enough time to reach the next bus station at Mulegé, I decided to spend two nights in San Ignacio at Hotel Posada. My stay was filled with good food and exploration—I had a fantastic dinner at Rancho Grande, followed by breakfast the next morning at Restaurant Bar Victors, where I met a family who had overlanded from San Diego in a motor vehicle. Afterward, I toured the town’s stunning mission, rode around its charming streets, found a spot to power-wash my bike, and secured a bus ticket to Ensenada. That evening, I had dinner at La Antigua, indulging in delicious tacos paired with a fiery green chili that set my mouth ablaze.

The next morning, I was up early to catch the 5:30 AM bus north. Stripping my bike of its bags and removing the front wheel, I managed to fit it into the cargo bay for the 12-hour journey north. I arrived in Ensenada just after dark and checked into Hotel del Sol. For dinner, I headed to Bomba Puerco, where I enjoyed a pulled pork burger and a few pints of IPA.

I spent a few days in Ensenada, sampling the local cuisine and exploring the area. Unfortunately, I had picked up a cough on the bus, one that lingered for over a month. Still, I made the ride out to La Bufadora, the famous marine blowhole. On my way back, I had an unpleasant surprise—a dog bit me. Despite that, the rest of my trip home went smoothly. The bus ride to Tijuana, border crossing, and final ride into San Diego were uneventful. I picked up a bike box from the same Trek store I had visited after my final Southern Tier segment, then flew back to New York, returning to work the very next day.

I followed Cori and Ry’s journeys south on social media and couldn’t help but feel envious. It seemed like I had turned around just as the route was becoming more captivating, with oases, charming towns, and warmer weather. This tour was grueling—probably my least favorite. I’m not sure if I’ll return to finish the route, but either way, I’m already looking forward to returning to Japan in May.





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