One Day on the Baja Divide

This video is a sample of a typical day on the Baja Divide. It takes place on December 17th on a section between Bahía de los Ángeles and Vizcaíno. I tried to document the feeling of one complete day riding the Divide, from the moment I wake up in the morning before dawn, to when I go to bed at around 5:30 in the afternoon thanks the lack of daylight hours in the winter.
I had no idea what to expect out of the day except for what the elevation profile looked like, which is such a small portion of the complete experience. Each day is shaped by the people I meet, the surface conditions I ride on, and the random, unexpected issues that befall me.
I also hope this video give some insight into my style of bicycle touring, my routines and habits as well as my outlook while on the road.
In the end, this day was completely unique, and that's exactly what makes it typical. Every day I wake up and ride my bike all day, and yet no two days are the same. This is one of my favorite things about cycle touring, it's what truly makes it an adventure.
Social Media:
Instagram: crankingit
Support Me:
Patrion: patreon.com/CrankingIt
Paypal: paypal.me/AlexvanGelder
True's SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/teacher-true
About the Ride:
My name is Alex van Gelder. I'm from Seattle and I'm just starting my first intercontinental bicycle tour. The goal is to ride from Deadhorse, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina in one go.
I also want to ride some bikepacking routes including the Great Divide Route through the Rocky Mountains and the Peru and Ecuador Divides through the Andes.
For this trip I built my own bike using a custom frame in order to be able to withstand rough mountain roads as well as power through long distances on pavement. (I had never built a bike before so we'll see if it holds up.)
If you have any other questions you can check out my FAQs video: • Alaska to Argentina | ...
or leave a comment and I'll get to it as soon as I can.
I'm editing these videos on the road, so releases my be infrequent as I try to find a quiet place to edit.

[@mickilkr]

Awesome video!

[@Crankingit]

Thanks!

[@robin6101907]

Alex, I love this video! It's really cool to see what an actual day entails. Thanks for taking us along "behind the curtain"! Yes, make more of these!

[@Naufrago_Sur]

Thanks for the video. One day at a time. Stay safe.

[@glengullickson6538]

Thanks for the update! Keep it up, man!

[@marthavangelder3946]

that moment when you say to yourself "don't be lazy." It killed me

[@Crankingit]

It's a constant struggle

[@j.k.6148]

Loved this episode

[@SheilaNyhus]

Alex, I am in awe of your stamina and commitment. And, not to take anything away from what you are doing, if at some point you decide that the ride should end earlier than planned , listen to your head/body/soul and all of your true supporters will be good with it. Stay safe and healthy. I look forward to your eventual return to the Pacific NW.

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! There were times, when it got really tough, I asked myself if I should just ditch the Baja Divide route and take the paved highway instead, but every time I realized that I prefer the difficult back country to the easier, but more crowded pavement.

[@jfriesem]

You seem so even-tempered, Alex! Your strength---both outward and inner--astounds. I loved following along with you today, thank you for staying in contact. It's a grand journey of a lifetime..

[@JK-nh6jp]

I sense a quiet rage

[@fernzimm8400]

lol no he really is an even tempered human :) @@JK-nh6jp

[@JK-nh6jp]

@@fernzimm8400 hmm…. Projecting….

[@fernzimm8400]

projecting even tempered ness? I am pretty even tempered thanks ;) @@JK-nh6jp

[@Crankingit]

Well you can't sweat the small stuff, gotta save the sweat for cranking!

[@frankk6262]

Well done! That's definitely not straightforward cycling and must be so frustrating. Enjoyed (not sure that's the right word here though) the "un-glamorous" sections such as setting up the distance shots, teeth brushing, cooking and pushing. Shows the real effort that it takes just to keep riding. Thank you for sharing. Oh, and really liked that you showed that you keep in touch with your Mum. All Mums always worry but really thoughtful of you be in touch each day.

[@Crankingit]

Thank you! I'm glad the day-to-day routine of touring is interesting. I know many people have different styles of riding and routines, so I thought it would be helpful to show mine. And yes, letting Mom know I'm okay is key!

[@indianolaguitarman]

Fun to ride along with you from damp Indianola, WA. Safe travels!

[@italogiardina8183]

There is an authenticity about this minimalist approach to travel where even using electric assist might detract from the humanistic individual sense of adventure which is about the grind of existence.

[@Crankingit]

I think the challenge is part of what attracts me to cycle travel. It may be hard in the moment, but afterward it feels great knowing what I am capable of.

[@Jose-x1w7n]

Thank you Alex, a wonderful video. Happy and safe trails for 2024. 👍

[@egalegal2058]

Think about lubricate those tent-zippers. Good luck on your journey!

[@Crankingit]

You're probably right. If I see any lube here in Mexico, I'll pick some up.

[@TheScatman89]

Great video thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@jcmuellner]

Bravo man! Looks oh so familiar ;-) Should have waited to ride toward El Datil with you, I had a muddy day, but glad we had a nice evening at the Casa. Happy travels!

[@Crankingit]

Yeah, it was great meeting you. My ride from San Ignacio to El Datil was actually one of the easiest parts of the Baja Divide for me. The route along the coast was mostly smooth, hard-packed dirt. I can see how it would have been rough after that rain though!

[@DAVIDGRIEGO-p9v]

TANK YOU FOR VIDEO LOVE IT

[@Crankingit]

You're welcome!

[@reeceholmes8546]

thanks man, many a person would have fell apart in that sand( including Me!) great stuff

[@Crankingit]

Thanks! It can get tough, but there's really only one way out. It's like that old saying, when you're pushing through sand, keep pushing.

[@reeceholmes8546]

@@Crankingit so true, thanks, looking forward to future vid's

[@JK-nh6jp]

There’s a pretty good cycling book called catfish, and Mandala, which is actually about cycling through Vietnam, but he does briefly recount a bicycle trip through Mexico, which he states was horrible due to endless sand “I mostly carried that damn bicycle through the desert”

[@Crankingit]

I can relate! There is nothing quite like pushing through sand and seeing nothing but a sandy road as far as the eye can see ahead of you. If only my rig was light enough to carry!

[@RonSuchanek]

Nice job! I like the narration on all of your vids, and particularly appreciate the lack of music on this one. Sometimes music can distract from the experience (IMO). Anyway, great job, and I'm impressed with your trip. Look out for Ryan Van Duzer, he's somewhere in Baja!

[@Crankingit]

Thank you. I feel like music is good for giving an overview of the passage of time. I decided to not use music on this one to give it a more immersive feel.

[@victor-hs6qw]

If you don't like riding in sand don't go to the desert, it is what it is, pushing is part of the adventure

[@Crankingit]

Pushing is never fun, but it's worth it to experience such an amazing place.

[@victor-hs6qw]

I've been to Baja and it's beautiful and exciting, but this video and the guy's sad face will not inspire anyone to try it.

[@Gordie_Howe_Hat_Trick]

Great video! A behind the scenes look is a great reminder that it's just not spinning the cranks all day long. Buying food, finding water, washing clothes, maintaining the bike, etc., all take time and energy.

[@Crankingit]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I definitely wanted to give a sense of everything that can happen in one day of riding.