packing FOR the Baja Divide Trail

This Baja Divide is not a casual ride. The 1,673-mile route, which is 95% dirt or gravel, was first mapped by adventure bikepackers Lael Wilcox, an ultra-endurance cyclist and Nicholas Carman in 2015. Their description of the route is at bikepacking.com/routes/bajadivide. In 2017 Wilcox rode the route on her own in 11 days, 13 hours. In 2022, Vermonter Miron Golfman set a new record, riding the route in 10 days, 13 hours, 24 minutes, taking more than a day off the record.

Caitrin Maloney and her husband Hardy Avery rode the trail in 36 days, over five weeks with stops along the way to camp and to take in some of the remote villages and historic sites they passed. They rode Moonshiner bikes from Tanglewood Cycles, based in Poultney, Vt. Avery used 3-inch tires while Maloney road with 2.8-inch ones.

Both are very experienced, fit riders. They consulted web sites and riders who knew the route before embarking. Here’s Maloney’s packing list: give back in a meaningful way. And it won’t be our last bikepacking trip. For now, I am just spending a lot of time on bikepacking.com looking at routes and dreaming…

SLEEPING: Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, foam sit mat.

COOKING: Trangia alcohol burner, stove screen, pot & cup, 300ml bottle of alcohol, GSI coffee filter, spork, Opinel no. 10 knife, small Bic lighter, small vials of sea salt, chili powder, pepper, silicone bags (2), stout zip-locks (3)., 1.5L Nalgene bottles (2), 650ml water bottle, water fliter, Ortlieb 2L bladder, small kitchen towel.

CLOTHES & GEAR: Riding shorts. merino T-shirt (2), merino baselayers (hooded sun top and bottoms), merino bra, merino tank, skirt (for camp and to layer over merino), merino socks (2 pair), gloves, Patagonia Houdini, Patagonia Nanopuff, helmet, brim hat, Bedrock sandals, MTB shoes, bathing suit, towel, buff.

ELECTRONICS: Wahoo & mount. phone & quad lock mount, external battery, USB cables, rear light, earbud headphones, Petzl USB-charged headlamp, light and helmet mount.

SUNDRIES: Basic gear repair kit (sewing/patches/glue, etc), passport, ID, wallet (paperwork backed up to the cloud), sunglasses, toiletries (toilet paper, paste, sunblock, lip block, ear plugs, washcloth, lotion, razor), bike toolkit & pump, medical kit, 1 x inner tube, Leatherman, lube and rag, utlralight stuff pack (Osprey), bike lock.

BIKEPACKING BAGS: Snack bags (2), gas tank bag, front roll, accessory bag/saddle bag, frame bag & 3L bladder, fork bags & everything cages (2).

Caitrin Maloney and her husband Hardy Avery are co-owners of Sustainable Trailworks, a trail building company, and also co-own the Trailhouse, which offers cycling-focused camps and retreats for women. They live in Poultney right on the Slate Valley Trails network and host bikepackers at their glamping sites. Find them online at