Trip Report: Baja

Ok, we know you might be thinking “how original, Wild Rye went BACK to Mexico.”

Yes, it’s true. Can you blame us for loving icy Mexican beers, cheap tacos, lively culture, and hardly-known bike destinations? 

In late January we ventured down to the Baja Peninsula to shoot our spring ‘23 line and see what kind of riding the Pueblo Magico town of Todos Santos had to offer. Our marketing team (Ren and Kendall) along with three models/bikers/pro team members/friends and our photographer flew down to Cabo, picked up a 15 passenger van immediately (and somewhat lovingly) dubbed Long Lena, and made the hour drive north to Todos Santos. 

Todos Santos is very much up and coming, but it maintains its sleepy, magical, and still uniquely Mexican feel despite the influx of people and construction. Todos Santos is one of 111 Pueblos Mágicos in the country – a domestic initiative of the Mexican Tourism Secretary to preserve the historic and symbolic pueblos throughout Mexico. Small boutique hotels, unique art galleries and bustling local taco stands nestle together to create an inviting and uniquely different experience.

Starting the trip off slowly, we utilized the stunning backyard of our AirBnb to get the photoshoot kicked off, build our bikes, and soak in all the sun we possibly could. We then went into town for some more shooting and wandering through the classically quaint and adorable cobbled streets of Todos Santos.

After a delicious lunch of tacos (duh), and a quick ice cream stop, we made our way to Over the Edge - the local TS bike shop - to pick up the rest of our bikes and check in with the owner, Dave. At first Dave seems a little salty, and a lot knowledgeable. Exactly what one would expect (and want) from a long-time biker and expat in Mexico. After a long stint on the mainland, Dave moved over to Baja in 2018, opened the shop, and made Todos his full-time home. If you’re ever in the area and need assistance with anything to do with bikes, Over the Edge is your spot and Dave and his crew are your guys. 

The next morning we woke up at the crack of dawn in order to make it to the trailhead by sunrise. The trail system at Punta Lobos starts right at the ocean, next to the ruins of an old canning factory. Offering something for every type of rider, the trails here range from flowy to highly technical -- always with an incredible view. 

Most of the initial pedal up is on a casual double track, with equally stunning views of the ocean and the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains depending on which direction you're facing. For those looking for a casual pedal, you can descend on the double track to a protected cove – perfect for snorkeling and swimming. There are also plenty of long cross-country style trails, as well as a good handful of steep, techy downhills for those looking to get a bit spicier. 

 The rest of our time in Baja was spent taking a million photos, savoring as much fresh fruit and local fish as we could, watching the never-ending whale show from the beach, and planning our return.