Category: Countryside

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Ride Routes

Hidden Valley

by  •  • 0 Comments

There is a lovely, secluded valley situated between the villages of San Antonio Buena Vista and Santa Cecilia Jalieza in the outer reaches of the Teitipac region of the Tlacolula valley to the southeast of Oaxaca city. Well off the beaten path, few people venture this way. The valley is most beautiful in the summer and fall when the hillsides and farm fields are a vibrant green. But the area has an austere aesthetic even in the driest part of the year, when the blue sky contrasts with the various shades of brown and grey vegetation. This loop ride covers 75.2 km (46.7 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 437 meters (1435 feet). Expect to spend five to six hours in the saddle to finish the course, riding at a moderate pace.

Nine cyclists took part in this Sunday excursion into the countryside.
Riding on pavement is fine, but the real fun is had on dirt roads.
Taking a breather.
Peace and quiet in wide open spaces.
It is a worthy climb over the ridge to Santa Cecilia Jalieza.
Time for some refreshments and relaxation in San Juan Teitipac before heading home.
Back on the open road on the return to Oaxaca.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

San Juan del Estado

by  •  • 0 Comments

Our Sunday group ride this week took the gang to the obscure town of San Juan del Estado, located in the northeastern portion of the Etla valley. The out & back distance amounted to 66.8 km (41.5 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 389.5 meters (1278 feet) along the way. A total of eight cyclists – seven men and one woman – took part in the outing.

The ceremonial entrance to San Juan del Estado.
The municipal building in San Juan.
A girl’s drill team marched down main street . . .
. . . to the music of a drum and bugle corps.
Sunday cyclists at San Juan del Estado sign.
On the way home.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

San Andres Zautla

by  •  • 0 Comments

San Andres Zautla is a small community situated 24 kilometers (14.9 miles) northwest of Oaxaca city. It was the destination for a Sunday group ride on 25 February 2024.

Sunday morning cyclists eager to hit the trail.
Heading north and west through rural countryside.
Free samples of mezcal lured bikers to Zautla’s anniversary celebration.
Nearing Oaxaca at the end of the ride.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

La Raya Loop

by  •  • 0 Comments

The first – and most welcome – rain of 2024 fell gently in Oaxaca for several hours in the afternoon and evening of Saturday, 17 February. It was still overcast the following morning but there were few puddles to impede the group of nine cyclists who set out from el centro at 8:20 am for a pleasant loop ride to the village of La Raya, located in the rolling hill country of the Zimatlan valley southwest of Oaxaca. The cloud cover burned off as the morning progressed, revealing blue sky and pushing the thermometer into the lower 20’s C. (mid 70’s F.) by afternoon. Bikers covered 57.9 kilometers (36.0 miles) on the ride, gaining and losing 462.7 meters (1518 feet) in elevation along the route. While the ride overall was rated moderate, there was one long, steep hill climb that was a big challenge to some in the group. As per our custom, the gang stopped for brunch at the mercado gastronomico in Zaachila on the journey home.

Countryside, Foothills, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

El Estudiante

by  •  • 0 Comments

Eleven intrepid cyclists showed up for today’s Sunday ride, which went from the center of Oaxaca out through Tlalixtac, up the Los Molinos trail to the waterfall and then along Hwy 175 to El Estudiante – a round trip distance of 37.6 kilometers (23.4 miles). Elevation gain and loss on the route totaled 513 meters (1683 feet). Though the temperature was a brisk 11° C (52° F) at 8 am, intense sunshine was forecast to push the thermometer to 31° C (88° F) by mid-afternoon, making for a marvelous day to be aboard a bicycle. Most of our Sunday rides are pretty mellow, with a rating of easy to moderate. Today’s excursion, though, pushed to the edge of the “difficult” category, given the challenges of the single track trail leading to the cascada and then up to the highway. Nevertheless, everyone in the group – including three newcomers – managed quite well. That said, all seemed quite happy to return to the city via the highway rather than endure again the hike-a-bike sections traversed on the outbound leg of the ride.

Zipping along the newly-paved section of the Los Molinos trail.
Riding an unpaved portion of trail.
Group photo-op at the old mill ruins.
A refreshing pause at the small cascada at the end of the Los Moliinos trail
in the hills above Tlalixtac.

%d bloggers like this: