Rosarito to Ensenada bike race proves festive, friendly and safe

Longtime fans of the twice-annual Rosarito to Ensenada Fun Bike Ride who missed Saturday's spring version because of concerns stemming from drug-related violence in Mexico's border areas might note two things:

1) The 50-mile ride was staged without major incident and, according to race promoter Gary Foster, not one of the 3,500 participants fell victim to organized crime, and 2) sign-ups are being accepted for the Sept. 26 ride.

This from Foster: "At the start line, I thanked the participants for coming, especially those from the United States, and asked them, 'When you go back home, tell your friends and families about your experience. You can see for yourself that this is not a dangerous place for tourists.' "

Fastest time to the finish-line party was 2 hours, 5 seconds. No official word on how much beer was consumed. But the unofficial word: lots.

-- Pete Thomas
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/04/rosarito-to-ensenada-bike-race-festive-and-surprise-without-incident.html

Come to the Fiesta! You are cordially invited to Rosarito

The City of Rosarito in association with AMPI, the local Board of Realtors and many of the City Associations are inviting you to our 1st Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, a fun filled weekend which will focus on the vibrant colors, alluring flavors and lively sounds of Mexico.

The date is Saturday and Sunday, May 2nd and 3rd,2009. There will be something for everyone! Starting at 12 noon on Saturday, there will be continuous live music with Folkloric dancers, Mariachi, Ballet, Salsa, Marimba, guitar and a versatile Mexican Big Band for the evening , followed by a fireworks show. Sunday activities begin at 12 noon. The setting will be the beautiful grounds behind the Rosarito Beach Hotel. You are encouraged to dress in Mexican style clothing as there will be a “best dressed” contest just for the fun of it. Don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes.

There will be a restaurant cook-off competition highlighting the scents and flavors of early Puebla Mx. and throughout the venue food and beverages will be offered by local restaurants for your enjoyment.

Many Rosarito associations including Rosarito’s very talented artists’ group as well as the local furniture designers will be displaying their works. AMPI as well as others will be hosting booths.

The Hotel Association is offering special hotel rates, some with spa packages and others with golf packages. If there are groups of 10 or more people that would prefer to come down on buses rather than drive, this will be available, free, with advance planning.

This is our way to remind you that Rosarito is diverse and fun.
There is no charge for admittance to the event. Everyone is welcome!
For more information on the event, hotels and transportation, go to:

http://www.rosarito.org/cincodemayo or dial toll free: 1.800.962.BAJA

Testimonials for Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

I am a native Californian who has been visiting Baja since I was a child. There have been many changes over the years, but few as dramatic as in the decade or so since Rosarito became an incorporated city. Particularly in the recent years, Rosarito has faced a crisis and stepped forward with deliberate speed and leadership to bring order and safety to its residents and visitors.


Now as a full-time ex-patriot foreign resident, my real-life experience in Rosarito is far different from the one I see portrayed in the media. Of the 14, 000 or more full-time foreign resident Americans and Canadians living here, I am unaware of a single incident where any innocent foreign residents or tourist visitors have been victims of the violence visited upon us by the drug cartels. All but a few of the incidents between drug dealers have taken place, while technically within the city limits of Rosarito, far into the deserted canyons and hills surrounding the population center.


Teen-agers are not, perhaps, the most prudent tourists, but even these young people have ventured into our city for years and not one has encountered the predicted danger. In 2009, there are fewer of them so far, but they are coming here, and they are having fun-filled, violence-free vacations at bargain prices. Even the State Department "alert" stated calmly that Mexico is one of the most visited countries by Americans, who are advised to stay in tourist areas! All of the business zone in central Rosarito is a "tourist area" where visitors walk from taco stands to fish markets, from disco bar to family restaurant, from motels to luxury condos, and from sidewalk cafe to art gallery.


I am a member of the Rosarito Friends of the Library, and we visit libraries throughout the city without fear, even in outlaying colonias. Recently major corporations such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Applebees, Burger King and GNC Nutrition have opened locations in Rosarito. Others are coming. They share our confidence in the safety and sunshine we enjoy in Rosarito.


Just so you know... I am semi-retired, but have nothing to sell. I don't own a business here, don't sell real estate, and don't have a financial interest in the tourists who either visit or don't visit Rosarito and Baja. It is simply an injustice to watch repeated media reports that use years old video tape and information from other parts of the country while they stand in San Ysidro, California and do their reporting with cameras pointing toward Mexico... where they have never visited.

Ken Bell
Rosarito, Baja California
RosaritoKen@gmail.com