The notion of making a religious pilgrimage is an ancient tradition. In contemporary Mexico, the concept of making a pilgrimage to a religious shrine is very much alive and well. Almost two million people flock to the basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on her feast day (12 December). Here in Oaxaca state there is a lesser-known shrine to the Virgin Mary in the small mountain community of Juquila, 203 kilometers (126 miles) southwest of the capital. People from all parts of the state go there – many by bicycle or on foot – to lay petitions before the Holy Mother. Whether you want to visit Juquila out of religious fervor or just because it is a worthy destination for an epic bike ride, here is how to get there.
Be aware that this route is on the shoulder of the secondary highway linking Oaxaca city with the Pacific coast. The road is narrow, steep, very sinuous and has little or no shoulder. Vehicle use is light most of the time, and speeds are rarely higher than 30 miles per hour. There is a fair amount of pedestrian and bicycle traffic all along the way. Nevertheless, this is a hazardous route for cyclists, so be exceptionally vigilant.