For 10 weeks now, we've been zig-zagging our way down the Baja California peninsula, following the "road less traveled" that the Baja Divide route has set in front of us. As this is our first ever bicycle tour, and by far the most technical off-road cycling that either of us have ever done, our progress thus far has admittedly been slow. As you'd expect though, after riding 4-10 hours per day, 5 or more days per week, our legs and…
Even though we haven't ventured much outside of an 8 x 12 block rectangle of downtown La Paz, we can easily see that there's much to like about this city. La Paz, which translates as the Peace, has a vibrant waterfront, and the malecón is packed in the evenings with energetic and smiling kids, teens and adults. As much as we'd enjoy spending some more time here, the lower loop of the Baja Divide is waiting for us, so we'll be pedaling…
Our resupply chart says that we rode over 2200 km to get to La Paz. Even though the distance we have traveled may be slightly different than that given our diversion to Loreto, when we add to that the miles that we put in prior to leaving our daughter's house, and that which was necessary to get to the beginning of the Divide route, I suspect we're probably close to 3000 total kms ridden. Not bad, eh? Time for a…
I don't recall where or when I first learned about topographic maps, their squiggly little lines used to turn a flat piece of paper into a 3D representation of the earth. It's not the kind of thing that the majority of people have a use for. After all, except in extreme situations, your car or truck doesn't really care if there's a little uphill or downhill. Cycling is a different matter though. Trying to read these maps, and then extrapolate…
You may be familiar with the Kenny Chesney song about the American businessman who, in conversation with a Mexican fisherman, comes to realize that the life he truly desires is one of simplicity instead of wealth accumulation, specifically of fishing during the day and spending time with his family and friends at night. While I don't think it's actually the case, I kind of imagine that the fishing village Mr. Chesney was visualizing for that song is the one where…
I'm not sure what feels better: arriving to a town after several days of traveling where we can find ourselves a cheap hotel room with a shower and a comfortable bed, or getting back on the road after a couple of days off. At this point, I'd have to say that they both feel equally good. Loreto was a great place to visit, perhaps especially so because it wasn't on our planned itinerary, but it was just as nice to…