I rode the BD this season a few weeks before you. If you don’t mind my comments: tubeless tires are nice but not obligatory. With Schwalbe Pick-Up tires (27.5 x 2.60), I had only 4 punctures, and no big deal to patch them. Also important: I met many other cyclists, but they were always romantic couples or pairs of old friends. If you are solo on the BD, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to team up with another solo rider. Solitude in that desert can get hard psychologically.
Thanks for adding to the information. I think you’re right, as Tom (the rider who joined us from Mulege) expressed this as well. The desert is a hard place, and it’s not to be underestimated. For me, tubeless was an experiment and I learned a lot about the differences in the process. You can certainly use tubes (I think Alee Denham used them?) but personally, I recommend tubeless for this specific route.
Really found this video most helpful. Especially the how to get there, cost of meals/accommodations/ water and such. Carrying an extra belt is good advice. Another thing that I have seen is to use a bar of soap on the Gates belt if you don't have silicone to put on it to stop the squeaking. Looking forward to your next adventure. Thank you for sharing
This video is a good complement to A Silent Journey. It's good for me to hear you say how hard the trip was. I found it difficult but hugely satisfying. Water planning was educational but ultimately it added to the experience. Every day in the desert needed my full attention. I was able to ride with other solo riders for several days of my 35 day ride - and the contrast of solo to social was a pleasure. You didn't mention how much of an asset your Spanish language skills must have been .Even my much more limited facility with the language was a great tool to have. Thanks and Salud, Steve in Canada
Your comments are really to the point.. Bars in yours and other riders I personally do not think it is easy but might be worth it for many! Good job on explaining your experience 😊
Our Baja Divide journey is a wrap! If this logistics video helped you with your route preparation, I'd love to know. Do leave a comment to tell me how your trip went!
I try my best! It’s hard to upload frequently with journeys taking this long, but I hope to improve this in the near future. Thanks for your kind words.
Lot's of valuable and great tidbits of information in this video. Thank you for putting it together. I have a follow-up question regarding language, I know little Spanish at the moment and plan on taking a crash course via Babbel in the lead-up to my trip. Would it be possible to travel this route with just basic Spanish skills?
Good point! Language can be such an important factor on a long trip like this one. I think you’ll be fine with a basic level, because you try! You’ll mainly need it for smalltalk and asking questions if you need something. Enjoy the crash-course and maybe consider using offline Spanish google translate in an emergency!
Question about the snakes and all the other creepy things on the floor. What do you do once you get bitten by something? Is there phone connection everywhere where you can call for help or what is the plan there? And your campspots look amazing, but dont you have to be super careful so you dont get visitors from the ground at night or was that never a problem? Thanks for the help!
If you get bitten, and whatever bit you is poisonous, you’re screwed. Unless you’re close to a town with a clinic or pharmacy. Otherwise there’s just nothing there, no phone signal, and if you’re following the route often not even a connection to the Mex1 road. On a brighter note, the camping was lovely in part thanks to our quality tent. It’s the Wechsel Exogen 2 (the 1 is also excellent) and we can highly recommend it…
If you get bitten, and whatever bit you is poisonous, you’re screwed. Unless you’re close to a town with a clinic or pharmacy. Otherwise there’s just nothing there, no phone signal, and if you’re following the route often not even a connection to the Mex1 road. On a brighter note, the camping was lovely in part thanks to our quality tent. It’s the Wechsel Exogen 2 (the 1 is also excellent) and we can highly recommend it…
That’s the GSI Outdoors Microlite! I’ve lost that one though, so now I carry an Esbit insulated bottle there. But would recommend Microlite over that one 👍🏼
I didn't see this mentioned in the video - did you bring a spare Gates belt with you? I have a pinion/gates combo too (Solace OM-2P) and am paranoid about being stranded if the belt should break, so always carry a spare.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out! We carry a spare belt each on trips that exceed two weeks, also depending on the location. For Europe, 1 spare belt for us two is fine.
![Our Incredible Experience Bikepacking The Baja Divide Off-Road Route // Full Documentary [EP.20]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KTASiq3ys4o/mqdefault.jpg)
![โรงเรียนตอนตี 2 โคตรหลอน..!! [โรงเรียนไดเม่]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2MAEMwqVYh8/mqdefault.jpg)
I rode the BD this season a few weeks before you. If you don’t mind my comments: tubeless tires are nice but not obligatory. With Schwalbe Pick-Up tires (27.5 x 2.60), I had only 4 punctures, and no big deal to patch them. Also important: I met many other cyclists, but they were always romantic couples or pairs of old friends. If you are solo on the BD, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to team up with another solo rider. Solitude in that desert can get hard psychologically.
Thanks for adding to the information. I think you’re right, as Tom (the rider who joined us from Mulege) expressed this as well. The desert is a hard place, and it’s not to be underestimated. For me, tubeless was an experiment and I learned a lot about the differences in the process. You can certainly use tubes (I think Alee Denham used them?) but personally, I recommend tubeless for this specific route.
Lol
Happy birthday Belen
I’m glad to see you again! Bravo! I really like your travel movies!
I’m glad you do! I love making them.
Really found this video most helpful. Especially the how to get there, cost of meals/accommodations/ water and such.
Carrying an extra belt is good advice. Another thing that I have seen is to use a bar of soap on the Gates belt if you don't have silicone to put on it to stop the squeaking.
Looking forward to your next adventure. Thank you for sharing
This video is a good complement to A Silent Journey. It's good for me to hear you say how hard the trip was. I found it difficult but hugely satisfying. Water planning was educational but ultimately it added to the experience. Every day in the desert needed my full attention. I was able to ride with other solo riders for several days of my 35 day ride - and the contrast of solo to social was a pleasure. You didn't mention how much of an asset your Spanish language skills must have been .Even my much more limited facility with the language was a great tool to have. Thanks and Salud, Steve in Canada
Great tip for the extra foil layer under your air mat. Will add this to my kit. I'm inspired by your Baja ride to try this. Thank you.
Guys, I loved this video. Greetings from CDMX 🥑🌶🌽🌵 🚲🚲💯.
Your comments are really to the point.. Bars in yours and other riders I personally do not think it is easy but might be worth it for many! Good job on explaining your experience 😊
Thanks Yettel. At the end of the day those things are always personal! I’m glad you agree with our comments.
Ty 🙏💙
Thanks for the great information. I’ve been wondering about the availability of vegan food on the route.
Glad to help!
Our Baja Divide journey is a wrap! If this logistics video helped you with your route preparation, I'd love to know. Do leave a comment to tell me how your trip went!
your consistency to upload videos regularly should be appreciated.
I try my best! It’s hard to upload frequently with journeys taking this long, but I hope to improve this in the near future. Thanks for your kind words.
Lot's of valuable and great tidbits of information in this video. Thank you for putting it together. I have a follow-up question regarding language, I know little Spanish at the moment and plan on taking a crash course via Babbel in the lead-up to my trip. Would it be possible to travel this route with just basic Spanish skills?
Good point! Language can be such an important factor on a long trip like this one. I think you’ll be fine with a basic level, because you try! You’ll mainly need it for smalltalk and asking questions if you need something. Enjoy the crash-course and maybe consider using offline Spanish google translate in an emergency!
Question about the snakes and all the other creepy things on the floor. What do you do once you get bitten by something? Is there phone connection everywhere where you can call for help or what is the plan there? And your campspots look amazing, but dont you have to be super careful so you dont get visitors from the ground at night or was that never a problem? Thanks for the help!
If you get bitten, and whatever bit you is poisonous, you’re screwed. Unless you’re close to a town with a clinic or pharmacy. Otherwise there’s just nothing there, no phone signal, and if you’re following the route often not even a connection to the Mex1 road.
On a brighter note, the camping was lovely in part thanks to our quality tent. It’s the Wechsel Exogen 2 (the 1 is also excellent) and we can highly recommend it…
If you get bitten, and whatever bit you is poisonous, you’re screwed. Unless you’re close to a town with a clinic or pharmacy. Otherwise there’s just nothing there, no phone signal, and if you’re following the route often not even a connection to the Mex1 road.
On a brighter note, the camping was lovely in part thanks to our quality tent. It’s the Wechsel Exogen 2 (the 1 is also excellent) and we can highly recommend it…
Tristan what 1.5 liter bottle did you have in your road runner bag? Thanks. Thanks alot 🙏💙
That’s the GSI Outdoors Microlite! I’ve lost that one though, so now I carry an Esbit insulated bottle there. But would recommend Microlite over that one 👍🏼
I didn't see this mentioned in the video - did you bring a spare Gates belt with you? I have a pinion/gates combo too (Solace OM-2P) and am paranoid about being stranded if the belt should break, so always carry a spare.
Yes, thanks for pointing that out! We carry a spare belt each on trips that exceed two weeks, also depending on the location. For Europe, 1 spare belt for us two is fine.