The Baja Epic Mountain Bike Race

Preparations are underway for the 2nd annual mountain bike stage race in the mountains and deserts of Baja California.

By popular demand from the Pioneers of this inaugural race in 2008, this year we added another extra day (2nd stage) that will include an almost 40 mile loop within the surroundings of Hacienda Santa Veronica in Tecate, with almost 90% of the course will be single trails.

This edition of the FIVE-day 2009 Baja Epic Mountain Bike Stage Race starts right on the beach, Tuesday Nov. 3rd with a stage from Rosarito Beach to the Hacienda at Santa Veronica, and covers a total of 300 miles and 24,000 feet of climbing on single-track and dirt roads.

“The Baja Epic will be a little more fun than most existing stage races,” said Armando Carrasco, president of Too Much Fun Promotions, the race organizer. “Racers and guests will have the opportunity to stay at host hotels every night. We will pick up participants from the San Diego and Tijuana Airports and transport them to the start of the event.

“If a racer wants to handle their own transportation and lodging, we have a discounted entry fee for them too. We’re going to have an exciting race where you can have as much comfort or discomfort as you please.”

This event is attracting participants from North of the Border as well as Europe and South America, making it a global opportunity for brand exposure.

“An incredible opportunity for European distance enthusiasts. The exchange rate of the dollar, the exotic locale of Mexico, and the warm weather compared to
Europe in November makes this an ideal race for the end of the year,” said 2008 celebrity starter Hans “No Way” Rey.

There are three packages of registration for the event: full package, economy package and the new JUST RACE package. The full package racers will be transported by bus from the San Diego Airport to the start on the Playa Rosarito, and from stage to stage, the economy package entrants will provide their own transportation and lodging at each stage, and includes all the breakfasts and some goodies, while the just race package it's just the entry to race.

Too Much Fun Promotions was founded in 1986 by Armando Carrasco, the former head promoter for the Baja Department of Tourism. Armando cut his teeth on events such as the Baja 1000 and the Rosarito-Ensenada, a 50-mile bicycle tour, and over the past two decades his company has organized hundreds of events in Baja. Specializing in motocross, mountain bike and beach events, Carrasco has built Too Much Fun into a successful business enterprise; with his experience and government contacts in Mexico, he is Baja’s promotional powerhouse. An accomplished BMX racer in the late 70's, and experienced motocross racer, Carrasco has won 4 Baja State Motocross Championships, raced the Baja 250, 500 and the World famous Baja 1000. He resides in Rosarito Beach with his wife and two children and is a visible and upstanding member of the local business community.

He started the "Montaña Grande" Mountain Bike Ride in Rosarito Beach. The first organized mountain bike event in Mexico, later founded the King of the Mountain, NITE RIDE in Tecate. With Too Much Fun’s history in the area, Carrasco’s intimate knowledge of the geography, and his bike industry contacts and marketing savvy, the Baja Epic was destined to become a success.

With strong connections to the cycling world, Carrasco will draw past, present and future stars to the Baja Epic MTB Race. The event is scheduled November 3-7 2009. It will start and finish in Rosarito Beach, but will definitely include the Cities of Tecate and Ensenada. The course will highlight Baja’s diverse geography—from beach to high alpine to desert terrain.

The Baja EPIC has many allures: a chance to race in an exotic locale; a destination that’s easily accessible for American athletes (racers will fly into San Diego and be shuttled to the start by organizers); an epic physical test for everyone from world class racers to accomplished amateurs; and the organization of a company that has earned a reputation for excellence over the last 20 years.

The appetite for off-road stage races is still growing. The Trans Alp challenge in Europe, Cape Epic in South Africa and Trans Rockies in Canada are a few that have continued to grow over the last few years. Response to the concept of The Baja Epic has been overwhelmingly positive. 26 International mountain bikers showed for the inaugural race and more than 50 pro and amateur racers have given positive RSVPs for the second annual event in 2009. The mountain bike community is technically savvy, with an active internet community that creates buzz for new events. Word about the Baja Epic will travel fast.

 The State of Baja California is 100 percent behind the event and is cooperating in every way for another flawless event.

Get ready. The 2nd annual Baja Epic starts at 7AM in Rosarito Beach on November 3rd, 2009. See you there.