Rosarito Ensenada Bike Ride

This is The Original Party on Wheels
Rosarito Ensenada began in 1979. It's an award-winning 50 mile bicycle ride along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, plus a Finish Line Fiesta on the Ensenada waterfront with food, drinks and live music until sunset.

Event Updates
If you would like updates, please join our email list.

About this Event's Design
The Mexican-American War of 1846-48, the Mexican Civil War of 1858, and the Reform Wars of 1860 left the Mexican Treasury in ruins and nearly bankrupt. In 1861, Mexican President Benito Juárez announced that all foreign debt payments would be suspended for two years. France, Britain and Spain sent their naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but Napoleon decided instead to establish a Latin empire in Mexico.

The French fleet stormed Veracruz, forcing President Juárez to retreat, and continued advancing towards Mexico City. The French followed, but met heavy resistance from the Mexicans near Puebla. The battle raged with 8,000 well-armed French troops attacking the lightly equipped Mexican army of only 4,000 troops. But on May 5, 1862, the Mexicans won the Battle of Puebla against the French. This is why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a truly international holiday!

The victory significantly boosted the morale of the Mexican army and the Mexican people. Not only did the victory prevent the French from taking over Mexico, but also it stopped the French from advancing northward into the United States, which was undergoing its own Civil War at the time. The U.S. Confederacy of the south was receiving support from the French, and if the French had won the battle of Puebla, the Confederacy would have had the unbridled support of the French and may have won the Civil War as a result! No European forces have invaded a country in the Americas ever since.