Introducing the Baja Divide, and a Women’s Scholarship to Ride it Next Year

The Baja Divide is a newly-published off-road bikepacking route that spans the 1700-mile-length of the Baja Peninsula from San Diego, CA to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. The route was researched and created by Nicholas Carman and Lael Wilcox, both of whom are highly-experienced in the bikepacking world, and have spent the better part of …

Photo: Nicholas Carmen
Photo: Nicholas Carman

The Baja Divide is a newly-published off-road bikepacking route that spans the 1700-mile-length of the Baja Peninsula from San Diego, CA to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. The route was researched and created by Nicholas Carman and Lael Wilcox, both of whom are highly-experienced in the bikepacking world, and have spent the better part of the past decade on the road (and off) traveling by bicycle.

The Baja Divide runs through a mountainous desert environment and is best enjoyed in the winter months, when many other bikepacking routes in the United States and other northern countries are inaccessible (or inhospitable) due to snow and freezing temperatures. An arid, warm climate makes camping easy and allows for minimal gear–but plenty of water is a must. Much of the route is on rough, sandy jeep roads and trails, and the remainder is on graded dirt roads, keeping the pavement to a minimum.

nicholas-carman1-575
Photo: Nicholas Carman

Comprehensive details about the route, including descriptions of each section, resupply points, distances, GPS tracks, and more are available on the Baja Divide website. The site also has plenty of useful information on packing, bike recommendations, and other helpful tidbits and hints for traveling in the area.

Photo: Nicholas Carman
Photo: Nicholas Carman

Lael, who has recently made a name for herself by setting the women’s Tour Divide record last summer and winning the Trans Am race this summer, has organized a scholarship for a woman to ride the Baja Divide in 2017 and have the opportunity to engage in a challenging and rewarding journey, and share that experience with the world. The winner will receive and Advocate Cycles Hayduke or Seldom Seen, a complete Revelate Designs luggage kit, at least $1,000 of community-funded travel money, and additional lightweight camping equipment as needed. In return, the recipient is expected to share the ride through writing, photography, visual art, or music, and provide at least one written piece to Advocate Cycles, Revelate Designs, and the Baja Divide website. Details and an application can be found here.