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Introduction

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¡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  Si...
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Baja Divide - Day 7 • Vicente Guerrero to Venustiano Carranza (Santa María)

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Baja Divide - Day 7 January 1, 2025 Vicente Guerrero to Venustiano Carranza (Santa María) - 41 Miles Start 7:49 AM Finish 2:37 PM Total Duration 6:48 Moving Time 5:08 Stopped Time 1:40 Ascent 1,951’ Descent 2,030’ Tour Total 309 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/245501154 I slept soundly in Room 11 at the Hotel San Martín in Vicente Guerrero. Instead of going out for dinner, I called it an early night, heading to bed shortly after 9 PM, having wished my friends and family on the East Coast a Happy New Year. This morning began with a chilly 52° and heavy fog. Before setting off, I grabbed a coffee and pastry from the reception area. I wore my full kit, which by now was in desperate need of laundering. Last night, I had done some additional patchwork on my pants using duct tape and thread. Visibility on the road was poor, and nothing in town was open. The route quickly diverged from the highway, leading me onto dirt tracks through fields. The fog was so thick I could barely...
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Baja Divide - Day 14 • Rosarito to Bahia de los Angeles

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Baja Divide - Day 14 January 8, 2025 Rosarito to Bahia de los Angeles - 57 Miles Start 8:09 AM Finish 5:24 PM Total Duration 9:15 Moving Time 7:39 Stopped Time 1:37 Ascent 2,848’ Descent 3,234’ Tour Total 628 Miles Details at: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/246680164 I had a restful night in Room Six at the Cactus Hotel in Rosarito. However, I’d forgotten to close the bathroom window, letting in the chill of the early morning air along with the sounds of nearby idling semi-trucks and roosters crowing. My packing was slow and deliberate—I needed to repack my tent and sleeping bag after airing them out, and I had to lube my bike chain before setting off. Still full from last night’s meal, I decided to skip breakfast. Unfortunately, my socks were damp and cold from being laundered the night before. I cycled back across town to rejoin the route. The chilly air called for my long-sleeve shirt and gilet, though the sun was strong in a cloudless sky. Today’s journey would take me to the Sea of...
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