Miron Golfman Sets New Baja Divide Record

Photos by Aaron Rosenblum (@airrosen) and Schuyler Alig (@schuyleralig)

Miron Golfman’s Ride to Endure, his individual time trial (ITT) of the Baja Divide, began a full year ago in February of 2021 after spending three months volunteering as the primary caregiver for his uncle Bruce, who has ALS. Having always felt torn between being an athlete for athletics sake and competing for something greater than himself, Miron saw an opportunity to combine his passions and ride for a cause. The Ride to Endure was born out of this want to continue supporting those impacted by ALS while also pushing his own body for an epic ITT.

Miron started at midnight on December 31st, pedaling into the new year. He dealt with tough trail conditions from mud, sandpits, endless rutted roads, and the occasional mechanical. The unusually cold weather contributed to the sloppy conditions but made the days more comfortable. He dealt with serious knee pain, but the feeling of riding for more than himself helped him push through each day.

Miron says he’s really humbled to be able to ride his bike in a beautiful place like Baja and experience such gorgeous spots. And he says it was an amazing experience, but he won’t be riding the Baja Divide again. At least not for a long, long time. His official finish time was 10 days, 13 hours, and 24 minutes—completing the route nearly a full day faster than Pete Basinger and Lael Wilcox.

How’s it feel to be done with your ITT?

It’s a little surreal. I think the raw feeling that I had right when I finished really sums it up. It was very emotional, and it still is. I’m filled with gratitude for having the opportunity to be able to pursue a dream like this and be surrounded by this level of support and love. It’s an experience unlike any other.

How was your experience of racing the route compared to touring it last year?

I can say my memories of the Baja Divide will be from when I toured it. Most of the route is a blur from having done it at the speed I was going. It was definitely significantly muddier this year than last, and there were a few sections this year that were a lot more torn up from the Baja 1,000.

Were there any major differences or surprises this time around?

Aside from the trail conditions, it was a lot colder this time, which I think worked in my favor. I brought my puffy jacket thinking I would just need it for a few nights but I was shocked that I needed it every night.

Any major failures or mechanical issues?

Aside from my cleats coming loose a few times and needing to adjust them, the catastrophic mechanical was my bottom bracket blowing out 30 miles north of Vizcaino. By the time I got to a bike shop there, the drivetrain bearing was completely blown, it didn’t even have any bearings left. The mechanics were able to pull the cartridge out of a different bottom bracket and insert it so I could keep going.

Miron’s Baja Divide Gear List

A huge congrats to Miron for not only setting a new Baja Divide FKT but for his fundraising efforts as well. I had a quick call with Miron yesterday afternoon and it was clear that the fundraiser is personal for him and his FKT is just the cherry on top. They have plans to release a film later this year, hopefully in May to coincide with ALS Awareness Month, and we’ll be sure to update everyone as details become available. They are still accepting donations, so head over to RideToEndure.com to learn more.

For some additional insight into Miron’s record-setting ride, check out this post by route creator Nicholas Carman.

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