Held in May of this year, the fifth running of the infamous El Diablo Run was the biggest to date. Riders jammed out to Temecula, CA, from all directions: Canada, Washington State, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. A large trailer full of East Coast bikes organized and driven by Mike from 47 Industries in New Jersey even made the cross-country haul. Now that it’s been seven years since the first event, less handholding by organizers seems required and more and more riders meet up in San Felipe on their own.

This year we added a couple low-key events to keep things moving on Friday in San Felipe. A slow race, a keg roll, and plank race were added to the four-lap-no-crap Circular de Muerte on Friday to keep bike riders entertained. The games added a little excitement to the day, and EDR sponsors donated some great handmade prizes. The grand finale sundown Friday was The Coctagon—EDR co-founder McGoo’s silly Wiffle ball bat battle royale on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. In a huge penis drawn in the sand, 21 riders armed with Wiffle ball bats and helmets whaled on each other until only two guys remained. After agreeing to call it a draw, the two winners split the $500 prize, and the sandy, sweaty masses dispersed for another night of drinking. Next time McGoo might create a women’s event for the classier broads in attendance. Vaginagon, perhaps? Speaking of girls, this year’s EDR had more broads, and that’s a welcome treat. Ladies, bring more ladies next time.

There have been a lot of descriptions of the EDR written over the years, so I won’t bore you with too much of that stuff. We changed the part from Temecula to Calexico this year and included more twisties and zero actual freeway miles. The route was a little remote though, so Biltwell staffers Kenzie and Gary and Mike D’s old lady Ashmore manned a complimentary gas stop in the middle of nowhere to dispense petrol, water, and sunscreen. The rest of the riding was the same as it’s ever been—an exercise in contrast. Some sections were twisty and fun; some were long and boring. Riding at sea level on the Sea of Cortez one day is always a nice contrast to the soaring cliffs along the Pacific on the way home. Remote desert one day and the densest international border crossing in the world the next. Temperatures and conditions change without warning, and even though the whole thing adds up to about 600 miles over three days of riding, anyone who’s done it will tell you it feels like an accomplishment by the time you make it home.
That feeling of having done something semi-challenging and the friends made along the way are what makes this ride worth doing.