Patrick G. was the ride leader today – Sunday, 27 February 2022 – and elected to take the gang out to the presas in the mountain valley just above Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. A mixed group of fifteen men and women assembled in the plaza in front of Santo Domingo at 9 am for the start of the ride. Two of them were newcomers to the band – Sam S., visiting Oaxaca with his wife and two children from Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of northwestern Canada, and Ulises, a young Oaxaqueño. After pedaling to Tule, where several of the group were fascinated by their first view of the massive tree in the churchyard, the riders moved on through Santo Domingo Tomaltepec and then took a dirt road up valley to the second and more scenic of the two reservoirs. Four of the band were enticed into the lake for a swim while the rest spent time relaxing and chatting in the woods. Most of the riders turned back to Oaxaca at that point, with just two pressing further on to the ultimate end of the trail before heading for home. The total distance covered on the day’s excursion was about 38 kilometers (24 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 228 meters (750 feet). The ride was rated as easy and the group moved at a leisurely pace. Everyone seemed to enjoy another perfectly wonderful day.
Cyclists arriving in Santa Maria el Tule. 
Pausing to admire a wall mural. 
One of the happy bikers in today’s group. 
Fascinated by the ancient cedar tree in the church yard. 
Pedaling through the countryside between Tule and Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. 
Toll station: paying the 15 peso fee to ride through communal land.