Slow Baja

In this episode of Slow Baja, we highlight our sponsor, Toby Pond of Scheel-Mann USA. Toby and I met during the 2022 NORRA 1000 event. I was on the side of the road in the Mag 7 pit, watching as my 50-year-old bench seat frame was being repaired.

Pond was there supporting a Baja racing Porsche 911, which was the first Porsche to finish the NORRA. We struck up a conversation about seats, and he gently probed my thoughts on aftermarket options. Given the circumstances of the repair and how the seat had broken in the first place, I was feeling a bit cranky. I realized I was being snippy, so I adjusted my tone and poured Toby a sip of my sponsored Fortaleza Still Strength tequila.

He mentioned that a colleague on the Porsche team was in the tequila industry and invited her over to join us. She quickly informed me that Still Strength was illegal in Mexico and was very curious about how I was "so connected" to be pouring Fortaleza—especially since they "never sponsor anything" —and Still Strength, which was quite rare, expensive, and illegal where we were enjoying it.

Our friendship began during that dusty roadside repair in Baja. A few weeks later, a pair of Scheel-Mann seats: a Vario F for me and a Vario F XXL for my navigator were in Slow Baja. The improvement has been life-changing, and my back is much happier now. No exaggeration—the Scheel-Mann seats are by far the best modification I’ve made to my truck.

Follow Scheel-Mann USA on Instagram

Learn more about Scheel-Mann USA

Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expedition

Benchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlas

Overcrest Rally Overcrest Rally

Support the Slow Baja Podcast

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Sean Jansen spent the first 25 years of his life in Southern California. Growing up as a surfer, he endeavored to spend every waking minute in the ocean. By 26, he had travelled to 26 countries and lived internationally in both China and Colombia. Upon returning to the US, Sean moved to Montana, where he guides clients in Yellowstone National Park and writes about the great outdoors.

In this conversation, we focus on his passion to raise awareness of the plight of the highly endangered Vaquita Porpoise through his 1000-mile stand-up paddleboard expedition down the length of the Gulf of California.

Jansen survived the perilous journey with the help of Slow Baja Alums, Michael Younghusband and Graham Mackintosh. He’s written a beautiful account of the voyage titled, Paddling With Porpoise, which is available on Amazon. After more than a year in the works, I am delighted to share this conversation about Jansen’s journey through recovery, discovery, and conservation, paddling down the second-longest peninsula on the planet.

100% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to conservation.

Learn more about Sean Jansen here:

https://www.jansenjournals.com/

Follow Sean on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jansen_journals/

Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Vintage Expedition:

https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures/slow-baja-vintage-expedition-1

Buy Baja Bound Insurance here:

https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl9vypdv2t

Sal Fish, the Godfather of Baja racing is back for his third conversation on the Slow Baja Podcast. We recorded this one back in March on our way home from the epic Slow Baja Winter Expedition.

We gathered to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first Baja 1000 organized by SCORE, and personally and painstakingly marked by Sal. The 1975 Baja Internacional and Baja 1000 heralded the dawn of the modern era of off-road racing. Before his joining SCORE, Sal was the Publisher of Hot Rod Magazine at Petersen Publications. He and advertising salesman Bob Weggland raced a Revel Model Company-sponsored Baja Bug in the NORRA Mexican 1000 from 1969 to 1971.

Fish will join me on the 2025 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition to share stories from his life in off-road racing. Joining him on the trip are fellow Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famers, journalist Chris Collard, and mechanic and chief margarita-mixer, Curt LeDuc.

Learn more about the Slow Baja Vintage here:

https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures/slow-baja-vintage-expedition-1

More on Sal Fish and ORMHOF here:

https://ormhof.org/sal-fish

Get your Baja insurance here: https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl9vypdv2t

Listen to the previous conversations with Sal here:

https://youtu.be/uNCqWNMTe3s?si=8AVUBgidk0N-YMnk

https://youtu.be/xnDq0pL-Y1A?si=PW3kbFDOgjcJ5WWZ

Renowned for his eclectic urban style and Baja-Med cuisine, Chef Chad White is fluent in life and food on both sides of the border. Born in Spokane, WA, he received his culinary training while serving in the US Navy. After a stint cooking at the famed Hotel Del Coronado, Chef White moved to Tijuana and opened La Justina Gastro Pub.

After an acclaimed run at La Justina and a stint on Top Chef, White returned to his hometown of Spokane, Washington, and opened Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar, High Tide Lobster Bar, and TTs Old Iron Brewery and Barbecue. He was a James Beard regional finalist in 2020.

Trail Feast, his latest venture, combines rugged exploration with fine dining. Guests can explore challenging trails, enjoy custom culinary experiences cooked over an open flame, and relax with expertly crafted cocktails. It’s the ultimate blend of adventure and indulgence. To receive notification about the Slow Baja Trail Feast event please email me here.

This podcast mentions Overland Expo, La Justina, and Trail Feast

"Jeff's life is built around pictures, and he has been making, showing and selling art for more than 30 years. 

Whether it's making fine art paintings of Baja California or shooting commercial projects, Jeff's focus is on inspiring enthusiasm for the spaces, faces, and places that make up the world around us."

Learn more @Jeffehonea.com

Follow Jeff E Honea on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode: Slow Baja Winter Expedition

Support the Slow Baja Podcast

Buy Baja Bound Insurance Here

Blue-collar racer Curt LeDuc is a self-made “Imagineer” and Trophy Truck Champion who was born in the unlikely state of Rhode Island. “Why was I born in Rhode Island? Because I wanted to be close to my mother,” LeDuc quips.He has spent decades building and racing his own vehicles at the highest levels of desert racing. LeDuc has achieved notable success, winning the championship in desert class 8 for five consecutive years. He also holds two titles from the Short Course Off-Road Drivers Association, a Governor’s Cup, and a rare and valuable Borg Warner Cup. His impressive career includes victories at renowned events like Crandon, Pikes Peak, the Dakar Rally, and Baja.LeDuc is highly regarded for achieving his accomplishments through hard work and his indomitable spirit. He has earned a reputation for being able to fix anything. Sal Fish once said, “Curt is the guy you want with you in Baja; if he can’t fix it, he knows a guy who can.”I am excited to announce that LeDuc will serve as Mechanic and Sweep for the 2025 Slow Baja Vintage Expedition.Enjoy this conversation with Curt LeDuc, recorded on his 70th birthday.Follow Curt LeDuc on InstagramMentioned in this episode: Curt LeDuc Baja Legends Tour Support the Slow Baja Podcasthttps://www.slowbaja.com/supportBuy Baja Bound Insurance

Bi-national artist Paola Villaseñor, known as Panca, is from Chula Vista and has spent over half her life in Tijuana. After her mother's death in 2005, she moved to Tijuana, where she found inspiration in the city's creativity, nightlife, affordability, and danger.

Her art reflects themes of feminism and humanity's decay. "With art, you work with your heart, and it can become dark when you expose your vulnerability, but it’s also pure. Art has been my therapy, my burden, and my savior."

Panca's career took off with her solo show, “I Am the Architect of My Own Misfortune,” at Bread & Salt in 2020, accompanied by her first book, “Los Perdidos.” Her mural "Respect the Paleteros," featuring a distressed and melting ice cream cone, has become an icon in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood.

Follow Panca on Instagram

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Dr. Sean Michael is a professor of Outdoor Product Design & Development at Utah State University, and a writer and product tester in the off-road market for over two decades.  His articles have appeared in ADVrider, BMW MOA Owner’s News, Offroad.com, and other magazines.  His research and teaching include the history of vehicle-based adventure travel.  He has also taught at trade shows like SEMA, the Adventure Van Expo, and Overland Expo for the past decade, with classes ranging from solar power to responsible human waste and outfitting vans for the rigors of overlanding. 

This episode mentions the Slow Baja Winter Expedition, Benchmark Maps Baja Road and Recreation Atlas, and the Pee Sport Bottle.

Follow Sean Michael on Instagram

Support the Slow Baja Podcast

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Buy Baja Bound Insurance

Paul d'Orleans is a renowned expert in motorcycle history and culture. He is best known as the founder of The Vintagent, a highly influential blog. In addition to his primary identity as a rider extraordinaire of vintage machines, d'Orleans is a noted curator, writer, and photographer. To make things more challenging, especially in Baja, he often shoots in large format and employs antique wet plate processes. A true Renaissance man, he is also a filmmaker, Concours judge, commentator, and above all, Paul d'Orleans is phenomenally well-dressed.

Learn more about The Vintagent here:

https://thevintagent.com/

Get your Baja insurance here:

⁠https://www.bajabound.com/quote/?r=fl  ⁠

For more info on Slow Baja Adventures, visit: ⁠https://www.slowbaja.com/adventures

Lou Bank is the founder of SACRED, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural Mexican communities that produce heritage agave spirits. He also co-hosts the podcast "Agave Road Trip," which aims to help bartenders gain a deeper understanding of agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico.

Lou is a genuinely kind and caring individual, and I am thrilled to share this Slow Baja conversation with you. I'd suggest you pour yourself a fine Tequila Fortaleza or your favorite Mezcal and enjoy the conversation.

Follow the work of SACRED in Mexico here.

Follow SACRED on Instagram.

Listen to the "Agave Road Trip" podcast.