I am leaving for an effort on the Baja Divide on February 3rd. Note: I have to be back in Duluth for a hernia repair job on March 24 (in the morning). Note: They couldn't get me in before I was off to Baja. The surgeon was amused that I thought there was a chance that I could get in to have the surgery in a reasonable timeframe. Ever get the feeling that the wheels are coming off when it comes to the basic institutional functions in this country? So essentially I have about 45 to 47 days to get the trip completed, which should be enough time as Bikepacking.com gives 42 days as I reasonable time frame.
Route planning and Misc.:
_X__Wells Fargo- get pesos: https://www.wellsfargo.com/foreign-exchange/. Order about 2 weeks before.
___Pick up Pesos @ Wells Fargo in Cloquet on Tuesday, 1/20
___study the guide.
___Get hardcopy for “guide,” see above
___get routes onto Coros
___get routes onto the iPhone (Gaia or Map Out?)
____ off line the Ride with gps segments
____Pesos ordered, pick up @ Cloquet Wells Fargo
__X__Have Mail forwarded to Sophie, done on 1/16/2026
___Pay storage fee before I leave…
___Pay rent for Feb and March to Lisa and Bill
___Pay Sophie’s rent for both Feb and March
___Pay Sophie’s tuition
___Add one small container of sealant to rear tire before packing up the bike
___Get box (with bike and gear weighed). Must be under 70 LBS.
Gear notes:
___Be able to carry 12 liters of water
___Bring the folding chair
___Padded shorts (with pouch), BN3th underwear w/padding
___Dynaplug replacements thingies
___Zippers need work on the Framebag…or at least clean and lube the Framebag
__X_Rim Tape
___Water filter…check to see if it works
_X__New sealant
_X__New Tires (ordered on 11/24)
___Heavy duty fabric needle and thread (to sew up torn side walls)
____desert gators (ordered from dirty girl mid November)
___Extra derailleur hanger?
___GoLite backpack?
____Cedearo fanny pack
____Bring Fenix bike light and extra batteries
____Bring two rear flasher lights
____Bring Battery Pack
____Passport card, etc
___Medicare card
____pack up two sealant
____Bring the bike lock and key(s)
___Newer OR shorts (with belt)
____Bring the msr tent and poles
____tent poles
___Tent stakes…two sand stakes or three.
____ground sheet (important to protect against cactus spikes). Tyvec
___Bring Tyvec white sheet to add protection against cactus spikes.
___buy a lightweight sleeping pad. Get a good one. Or bite it and use my R10 Exped
___bring the spotting scope…just do it
___extra Gates belt
____sun glasses and sun screen and sun protection for my lips.
___bring both Sea to Summit pillows
___Da Brim
___Bike Helmet
___Bike shoes, Check cleats
____Bring warm Esko leather mitts. Just do it.
___buy new good quality leather work gloves
____Down vest? Probably not
___ Wool-like hoodie gray Superior fleece
___orange wind breaker
____ Bring salt licks
____Bring Tail Wind powder
____10 liters capacity …change to 12 liters?
___ bring new Sea to Summit water pouch thingie?
____ Bring heartburn pills (Nexium?)
___ platypus three (maybe 4), 1 liter H20 carriers
_____extra battery for the Fenix light
___Black wool arm warmers and blue Kuhl shirt? Or std Kuhl shirt-too old?
____Stio pants
____Wind pro Superior Fleece (Red)?
______Heck of the North wool Hoodie or wool cycling jersey
_____Long Sleeve wool t-shirt
___Remember to bring the buff
___Bring mole skin and tape feet for the hike. Bring thin liner socks for the hike
___Build a tumpline for my head…use climbing webbing, etc. or use the strap from my Duluth brief case-mail it
____Warm hat
___Compass
____buff (one used during Tour Divide)
____Orangey wind jacket or Patagonia rain jacket? Leaning towards the wind breaker…
***____or even go with the following: 1. Blue short sleeve Kuhl shirt w/sun pro sleeves or long sleeve shirt. 2. Heck wool hoodie. 3. Superior wool hoodie 4. Superior wind pro hoodie.
*Misc. from AZTR Gear list:
______Zipties, Park Tool CT-5 Chain Tool,
____Mini Lighter,
____ Pedro Tire Lever,(
_____2) seat bolts,
_____(2) Cleat bolts,
_____Glueless Patch Kit,
_____Tire Plug Kit,
____Park Tool Tire Boot TB-2, (
_____Extra Valve cores
____broken spoke thingie
