Introduction

¡Hola Amigos! Saludos a todos!

I’m back for another cycling adventure, and this time it’s the Baja Divide—a 1,730-mile bikepacking route created in 2016 by Nicholas Carmen and Lael Wilcox. It was subsequently revised by Pat Boyle, Evan Christenson, and Logan Watts. Originally, I had planned to tackle this ride last year, but hernia surgery had other plans. Now, I’m setting out to connect my North American routes with my Trans-Mexican network.

I’ve got 25 days—almost my entire winter teaching break—but I doubt it’ll be enough to complete the whole thing. Chances are, I’ll be back next year to finish what I start. My journey begins at San Diego Airport, where I’ll pedal south through the rugged mountain chains that form the spine of the Baja Peninsula. Along the way, I’ll crisscross between the Pacific Coast and the Sea of Cortez on dirt tracks. The route is 95% unpaved and features an impressive 96,349 feet of climbing.

The last time I was on my gravel bike was during the Silk Road Mountain Race in Kyrgyzstan, and I’ve convinced myself this ride will be easier. Mexico is one of my favorite places—I’ve previously traveled through Baja by bus—and I’m excited to soak up the warm weather, natural beauty, friendly people, delicious food, and, of course, cold beer.

This ride is dedicated to Blanka the Dog, who passed away in July. She wasn’t just the best dog ever—she was also my bike-touring companion on trips like the Southern Tier (Part 1), the GAP, the C&O Canal, and the Erie Canal. I miss her dearly, but for the first time, I feel no guilt about setting off on an adventure without her.

Here’s to the road ahead—and to Blanka.

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