This is essentially a loop ride through the countryside southwest of Oaxaca which makes use of many little used back roads. There is a good amount of climbing and descending, but nothing too difficult or challenging. This five hour long excursion includes a stop for breakfast at a family owned comedor in Arrazola. Distance: 24.2 miles / 38.9 kms Elevation change: 1326 feet / 404 meters. Duration: 5 hours Rating: moderate
Category: Countryside
Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing
El Cerrodito de Leon
by Larry • • 0 Comments
There is a circular concrete platform ten meters in diameter atop a hill a mile or more to the southeast of San Bartolo Coyotepec. Its use is a mystery, since access to the stage is by way of a very rough and little used back road popular mostly with mountain bikers.
It was just such a group that rode this way on a Sunday morning the last day of May. The map below shows the route coming home, so illustrates a bit less than one half the distance ridden today. Though the total distance covered was only 25 miles (40.3 kms) the ride is rated moderate to difficult because of the hill climbs on loose and rocky jeep roads. As per custom, the gang stopped for breakfast at Comedor Hilda in San Bartolo on the way home. The ride got underway at 7:15 am and wrapped up shortly after noon.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing
El Carmen / La Raya Loop
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This is a favorite loop ride through the countryside to the south and west of Oaxaca. The majority of the route is on back roads covering mostly flat terrain. However, there are three significant hill climbs before reaching El Carmen that will test the mettle of most riders. However, from there bikers enjoy a terrific stretch of downhill which makes the uphill grunt worth the effort. This route covers 36 miles ( 58 kms), with an elevation gain and loss of almost 1700 feet (518 meters). Expect to spend about 5.5 hours in the saddle to finish the ride.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Huijazoo Archeological Site
by Larry • • 0 Comments
The Zapotec archeological site of Huijazoo sits on a hilltop just north of the town of Suchilquitongo, Oaxaca, México. Dating from between 300 and 800 AD, the site was first excavated in 1985. There are several temple platforms, a ball court and a central plaza. The most notable feature is a burial chamber containing the tombs of 60 individuals, with wall paintings, carved lintels and ceramic pottery. For more information see: https://lugares.inah.gob.mx/en/node/4417. The bike ride from Oaxaca centro to the site entails a round trip of 45.0 miles (72.4 kilometers), with an elevation gain and loss of 1765 feet (538 meters), most of which occurs on the climb from the valley floor to the hilltop location of the ruins. The final several hundred feet of trail is both steep and rocky, persuading some cyclists to walk their bikes up. The archeological site itself is rather small, but affords impressive views of the valley below and mountains off in the distance. Expect the ride to last about seven hours, with time for a brunch stop in Suchilquitongo.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing
Circle The City
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This moderate 27.5 mile (44.26 kilometer) loop takes riders around the western side of the city, going from el centro, climbing through San Felipe del Agua, up and over the Libramiento Norte to Viguera. From there the route winds through Atzompa, Audelo, Arrazola and Xoxocotlan back to the city center. Most of the heavy climbing is in the first 7 miles (11.3 kms), with 1083 feet (330 meters) elevation gain to the top of the ridge. From there on it’s just moderate ups and downs pedaling through the countryside. Expect to accomplish the loop in about four hours unless you stop for a snack along the way home.