The first dirt road South out of La Paz. Adam had about nailed a bus and blown a stop sign in La Paz, so we stopped to eat a Powerbar. I figured I'd better get some blood sugar in him before we went up on the cliff roads. 

Typical view along the coast road. The challenge is to not ride off a cliff while mesmerized by the view.

It's a beautiful ride down the coast. 

Along about here you realize that there aren't going to be any more real knarly dirt sections, and you start to mourn for all the miles and miles of tough trail that you were cursing just days before.  

Last gas stop on the ride. 

Lunch stop. Trick is to leave La Paz early enough to get an outside table. Always an enjoyable stop with great food and lots of ex-patriot Americans to chat with. 

Mark's reminder to himself to just say no to John Lee. 

Adam and I along the coast road, North of San Jose del Cabo. We're just about to the end of ride, as we'll hit pavement in 10-15 more miles for the run into Cabo. 

We made it! In front of the Finistera hotel, Cabo San Lucas. 

I had kept telling Adam throughout the ride that this was the goal, to arrive at the hotel in one piece, and to have fun along the way. We more than achieved our goal. 

The ride had been a great trip for us individually and as father and son. Adam had went into it with about 300 total lifetime dirt miles and emerged a solid veteran, with over 1,500 miles of Baja to his credit. 

Unfortunately, there are no universal ceremonies or rituals for passage into manhood in our society. Until we get one, I'd recommend bringing your sons along for the ride down Baja. There's nothing like surviving a rock climb from hell and an endless run through deep sand and cactus to build confidence and character. 

This trip gave Adam accomplishments that no one will ever be able to take away and memories that will live forever. 

Two generations. Malcolm and Dave show off their sons. 

Inside the semi-trailer that hauls the bikes back to Rancho Santa Veronica. 

The girls around the pool, theoretically awaiting our arrival. 

Each night, as we circled the bikes around the camp fire crackling in the desert and laid our heads down on our fanny packs beneath that carpet of stars, we rested well, knowing that the girls were safe in Cabo, basking in the sun, sipping Margaritas around the pool, protected from danger by Pepe the pool boy and Juan the bartender. 

Steph and I in our room at the Finistera. 

Adam and I at the awards dinner. Probably the most beautiful view of any upscale restaurant in the world. 

Had they still had the "most improved rider" award, Adam would have won it hands down. 

Jimmy and Nancy Sones. Jimmy gets up at 3am to ride out into the darkness and flag the course for each day's ride. He's a man among men, and much of our enjoyment, fun and safety is due to his efforts and concern.