I'm leaving for baja in feb from Las Vegas on a mountain bike. I plan to stick on the main hiway going down and was wondering if anyone has seen many bikers on this route? Is the traffic friendly to us two wheeled travelers? Are there any good detours that can been taken to avoid high traffic segments? Any good detours for a change of senery? I read alot about good camping and great food in baja, does anyone have some extraordinary places you would like to share? I understand that the hiway crosses the sierra several times, is there much elevation gain to the passes? If so, how much? Will there be water available along the way? Where?

Any comments, info, advice, or words of encouragment would be greatly appreciated. thanks
glennthomas

Hi glennthomas;

We just got back from driving the entire length of Baja and we saw only one person on a bike and it was on the gravel path north of Gonzaga.

Believe me there is NO room on Hwy #1 for two wheeled vehicles and a four wheeled vehicle at the same time. In most places there is NO shoulder on the road. In most places the road has a 8 to 12 inch drop at the edge of the the tar. The road is not full width as we know road widths in the USA.

I give you credit for wanting to ride a peddle bike in Baja but I will not ride my motor cycle in Baja Hwy #1 and we put on over 9,000 miles a year on it.

Just my concerns for your safety.

Warren

Thanks for the info warren. I understand that several people every year accomplish this trip so I know it's not imposible, however I also understand how dangerous the road can be. On my drive down to Las Vegas I ran into a gentleman on his way back from Baja. He told me once picked up a biker from sweden along an extremely risky section of 1. He gave the man a ride to the next town where he was able to start pedaling again.

Does anyone else have any info on hot springs south of puertecitos. I found it marked on my map but was wonder if they are private or public? Also wondering how the road is south of puertecitos? Remember I'll be riding a mt bike geared for riding in rough terrain.

I'm also looking for other alternative routes throughout baja norte y sur. If you have any info on jeep trails or otherwise please reply to this post.

hasta la vista
glenn

Thanks David K, I am happy to hear that this place does exist. Doe you know of any more hot springs off the beaten path? It sounds like you have been all over baja. What is your opinion on riding a bike through the peninsula? Have you seen very many cyclists along highway 1? Dow you know of any alternative routes that could be used to avoid the highway all together? I'm planning to continue on past puertecitos on the road to gonzaga bay. Are there any places to get food/water along this route? I will be camping along the way but may like to stop and stay over in a hotel along the way. Are there any accomodations on this stretch? I understand that the pavement ends about 40 miles south of san felipe. How is the road the rest of the way to gonzaga bay?

Thanks for your help and expertise.

glenn

I am a bike tourist and a Baja ( San Felipe ) resident. I have toured around the American West, but have chosen not to in Baja. In my view the conditons here for bike touring are very poor. Why? very narrow roads, pot holes or rocky conditions, drunk driving is more common than in USA, accessing water is difficult in many places. The roads are very narrow. What we would call "reckless driving" is more common here than in US.
Go for it if you like. The place is incredibly beautiful. Just be prepared to take your time and exert max. caution.
Have a wonderful trip.
PS: Obviously bring all the tools and spare parts you may need.

I was down in baja for the first time last year. On a drive between Bahia de Los Angeles and Guerrero Negro my husband and I saw several bikers and actually talked to a couple who were travelling w/their surfboards attached to a mount that was welded alongside their bikes. We commute on our bikes in our home city of Boston, MA but would not really want to bike in baja. The roads are so narrow and curvy, no real shoulders except for roadside areas. We were kind of scared just driving a car there. Perhaps you might want to bus down to an area and then ride around?