This is a detailled bike touring guide to ride the baja california peninsula. As there is not too much detailled information on the internet so far, I'll try to give helpful infos regarding the route, things to do and to see along the road and provide some facts regarding the route itself and the road conditions. But please dont get angry if I eventually miss something or if some Info is already obsolete. All the things in here are based on my own ride in Baja California in November/December 2013.
Please ride the following instructions and then visit the guide at
bicyclingbajacalifornia.blogspot.com
Riding Baja California
The Baja California is one of the most spectacular Bike Routes along the Pacific Coast. Especially riders seaking for adventure will find what they were looking for. The time of nice and comfortable state parks every now and then (as in the USA) and acces to potable water will be over as soon as you anter Mexico at the border crossing in Tijuana. Nevertheless it will be the starting point for your own adventure with lots of things to offer. Beautiful landscapes, vast deserts, but also Mexican Generosity will be your compannion for the next weeks.
General advices
First of all: Mexico is not that dangerous and crazy country that Americans usually refer to, when you tell them that you are planning to ride along mexican highways on a bicycle. It is also not that place where everyone tries to mug or assault you and there will be absolute NO NEED to bring a gun or a machete with you! Trust me: you will be surprised by how generous people are in Baja California and don't expect a thief on every corner. Nevertheless, don't turn off your brain and be aware where you leave your bike and equipment and if its trustworthy.
Speaking Spanish will definitely be helpful, especially on the small villages along the road, where english is usually not spoken at all. Anyway, even if "soy un ciclo turista y busco alojamiento para la noche" is everything that you remember: there is a way to make it to La Paz, safe and sound. Still, it won't be the same experience. Just a little bit of Spanish to have minor conversations will open doors, that remain closed if your just another ignorant tourist.
If you are looking for a real adventure, please stop reading here. Find your own way of travelling and have some trust in destiny. Somehow things will turn out quite fine and don't worry too much about pre planning the route, places to stay etc. Plans will be changing anyway. :)
What to expect?
Well, Mexican Highways are not comparable with the ones you find in Canada or the US. Still, it is quite fine to ride your bike on them and even if you won't find nice and comfortable shoulders, you will not life in fear of semi trucks running you over. There is even a minor advantage of not having a shoulder: people are usually forced to slow down and overtake you on the other lane instead of pasing you closely remaining on the same lane. If you dont feel compfortable when you notice a car approaching you, don't be shy and take the lane! Place you and your bike in the middle of the lane in order to force the vehicle behind you to pull totally over in order to pass you. This method will prevent people from passing you with a small distance.
Except this, you will usually find quite good road conditions. Of course, there will be potholes, but they will usually be the exception rather than the rule.
How to prepare?
Riding the Peninsula does not require another preparation than any other long bike trip. Still, you should have in mind, that you will be about to cross some very dry and also very hot deserts, so make sure that you have a water bag within your equipment and never run out of sunscreen. Also make sure to know, where the next town or village with acces to water will be and where you will be able to find a place to stay. Also make sure to bring enough spare parts and the corresponding tools with you. You won't be able fo find Bike shops like in the US until you make it to La Paz. So if your chain busts in the middle of the desert, you better know how to replace it. If you have these things in mind, your trip will be really enjoyable and you will have an amazing time.
Route
The route, Cyclists usually take and that this guide will follow it the Main Highway 1, starting in Tijuana and heading all the way down the peninsula, making a big zigzag and finishing in La Paz, where this guide will also finish. It will be difficult to get lost, once you make it out of Tijuana, because there is basically only this one Road to take.
Regarding elevation, don't worry too much. There are mountains and YES, you have to cross them, there is no way of avoiding them (remember, tehre is only one road), but they are usually not too steep and that counts when you are travelling with all your gear. But please also have in mind, that the temperature can make a big difference and change a quite easy climb into a horrible torture, if you have to take it around noon with a merciless and burning sun.
When to ride?
You will have different experiences depending on when you will have the pleasure of riding down the Baja. The best time will probably be from late October until Mai, where temperatures will be moderate and your water consumption wil consequently be just ordinary. In mid summer, you wil face temperatures of 40 plus in the shade and riding will no longer be fun. Trust me. But who knows: if you are looking for the ultimate challenge, why not?
Scary animals?
Yes, there are rattle snakes. Yes, there are tarantulas. Yes, there are scorpions. And Yes, there are mosquitos. But: their main occupation is not chasing cyclists. Make sure to know, where these animals are and you will be fine. One animal you should really worry about are all the straying dogs along the road. They really like to chase cyclists and they will bite, if they get the chance. Here are three strategies to face this problem. It's up to you which one to use. No guarantees for success! :)
- Spray water from you drinking bottle in their faces. It should work. If you bring bear spray, even better.
- Stop, shout at them and show them who's the boss. It should work as well. If it doesn't, you'll have a problem. :)
- Try to pedal as fast as you can to get away from the hazard.
You can find the detailled guide with all the stages and useful information here:
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