Breathtaking beaches, gourmet tacos, top-notch motorcycle instruction, and some of the best wines that Mexico has to offer… is there a better way to start February? The masterminds from WESTx1000, Skool of Moto, and Lost in Baja certainly don’t think so. Escape the dreary weather of an American winter by popping just south of the border to soak up some sun and improve those single-track skills at a purpose-built event, The Cold Start.

Riding motorcycles in Baja is not an uncommon way to escape the cold, but The Cold Start turns that simple trip into a resort-style experience complete with bike rentals, three-course meals, and wine tours. Welcome packets include practical yet pleasant gifts like bars from Kate’s Real Food, a compact daypack, and 40% off REV’IT! gear. This was the first time this clinic ran, but I was immediately impressed by how well-organized it was.

Escape the dreary weather of an American winter by popping just south of the border to soak up some sun and improve those single-track skills at a purpose-built event, The Cold Start.

A Customizable Experience

Surveying the details packet for the event, something that really stood out was the different packages to choose from. Many events have optional motorcycle rentals, but The Cold Start takes it a step farther. Three basic packages are laid out for a variety of budgets and concerns, as well as an a-la-carte menu of sorts. Those interested in off-road clinics come from many different backgrounds, and when international travel is added as an aspect, that difference only intensifies, so it’s good to have different options.

Whether you fly in and have all the details handled for you like an A-lister, or ride your own bike down and camp like a vagabond, there is a suitable package available. Every aspect of The Cold Start can be added or removed to suit your budget and interests, leading to the most customizable clinic I’ve ever attended. Even the mandatory portions (motorcycle insurance, health insurance, and the like) can either be handled by the student or by the event organizers, making this event appealing to experienced travelers and noobs alike.

It’s hard to be upset about dropping your bike with an amazing view of the ocean.

Adaptable Instruction

In all honesty, when I first saw that this clinic was advertised as suitable for Level 1 and 2 riders, I didn’t have high hopes for drastically furthering my riding skills, though I was happy to reinforce the things I already knew. As I conversed with the three other students of our small class, I quickly realized just how wrong I was. The only riding requirement was being confident navigating traffic, but my new friends were far above that. Our instructor, Donni Reddington, was well aware of that aspect as she chatted with us over the welcome dinner. I can only imagine the time and effort that goes into creating a lesson plan for complete strangers at high velocity on such heavy machines. But Donni was able to turn on a dime to alter the weekend so that her students would get the most out of two days under her tutelage. Timetables shifted, plans changed, routes were reconsidered in an instant as she sipped her drink and asked what we wanted most out of our weekend.

Learning how to pick a line is a pivotal skill.

Fully fed and caffeinated, Donni put us to the test in a dirt lot with an amazing view of the ocean. It’s hard to be upset about dropping your bike with a backdrop like that! Somehow, we managed to peel our eyes away from the horizon and focus on the valuable tips and tricks being handed to us on a silver platter. The small class size is apparently a signature Skool of Moto trick that allowed everyone to feel the benefits of essentially one-on-one instruction. After a morning of going over the basics, like picking up a bike and braking drills, we ventured out on a mercifully short jaunt through Mexican traffic to get to some single-track. We were guided through perfect scenarios to put all those little lessons to the test in a real-world setting. Slow, graceful downhills, intentional lines, and off-kilter K-turns were just a few of the skills Donni integrated into an afternoon lesson on the trails before rewarding her students with an overlook that had us all pulling out our phones for selfies before heading back to enjoy the sunset by the beach.

Always take your group photo before the stretch of deep sand!

After another homecooked breakfast, we set out to tackle most riders’ worst fear: sand! On a stretch that was long enough to make us work, but short enough to keep it fun, we found ourselves surrounded by volunteers that were only too happy to pick up our bikes as we were given personalized pointers. Before we could get too tired from the sand, we were guided onto winding dirt roads with delightful scenery followed by cow trails to practice our agility. The setup of this two-day instruction utilized every hour available to maximize training while still making students feel like they were on vacation. What was initially going to be two days of on-site lessons followed by short afternoon rides turned into longer rides saturated with opportunities to build important skills. The Cold Start organizers have proven that they hold no ties to a set schedule, instead favoring an adaptable approach that leaves no one feeling out of their depth or bored. The routes we explored were much more challenging than I anticipated, but with Donni’s coaching and a great support team all the students made it through with smiles and a sense of accomplishment.

Hands-on instruction ensures everyone makes it through the trails with a smile.

Off the Bike

While top-notch riding is fantastic, The Cold Start does have more to offer. Trust the folks from Lost in Baja to know all the great food spots, craft breweries, and best wineries in Valle de Guadalupe. A welcome dinner consisting of gourmet tacos, a mezcal tasting, and appetizers nearly too beautiful to eat was just the beginning. Each outing had us forgetting how tired we were from a day on the trails as we enjoyed the most delectable food and drinks that Ensenada has to offer. Our last day was spent entirely off the bikes, giving everyone a chance to play tourist. Hot coffee and fluffy pancakes devoured, an opportunity to learn more about Baja by touring some of the wineries in Valle de Guadalupe was not a hard sell at all. We were shuttled between venues, provided snacks, and offered wine tastings as we learned about the history of this quickly developing region. Each winery was unique, and each offered a beautiful experience that left us feeling pampered before heading back to enjoy an on-site masseuse and tamale dinner.

Celebrating together with local wines from Valle de Guadalupe.

As it was The Cold Start’s debut event, I was unsure of what to expect, but the organizers were all highly experienced and took everything in stride, from flat tires to flight changes. With a team who have been frequenting Baja’s beaches for years, attendees were rewarded with insider knowledge that allows them to maximize their vacation while receiving some of the best off-road riding instruction available. I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for this event next year if you are looking to escape those winter blues and keep your riding skills sharp.

The Cold Start was produced by WESTx1000. The Cold Start 2023 will be held May 5-10. Head to thecoldstart.org for details and registration.

Odessa Winter is a BDR Ambassador and member of the REV’IT! Women’s Team focused on encouraging women around the world to get out and ride through photos and stories. She is currently riding across the Americas with her boyfriend and their canine companion. Follow along with their adventures at ADVGoats.com