This loop ride comprises a tour through the open country on the southern side of the Tlacolula valley, linking Oaxaca with Tlacochahuaya and Tlacolula and skirting the mountains that form the southern rim of the valley.
Category: Countryside
Countryside, GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos
Oaxaca to Juquila Pilgrims’ Route
by Larry • • 0 Comments
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.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing
Mitla
by Larry • • 0 Comments
After Monte Alban, the Zapotec ruins in Mitla are the most spectacular and important in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca state. It is quite feasible for visitors to Oaxaca city to get to Mitla by bicycle. Those who want to get in a full day of exploring archeological sites can stop at Dainzu on the way to Mitla, then check out the palace complex at Yagul on the way back to the capital city. The track below is not complete, but you can probably figure it out and adapt it to help you get to where you want to go.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Grand Tour of the Tlacolula & Zimatlan Valleys
by Larry • • 0 Comments
The 53-mile (85 km) loop ride shown here offers a grand tour of both the Tlacolula and Zimatlan valleys (two of the three of the Valles Centrales that comprised the Zapotec empire in the glory days of Monte Alban and are home to Oaxaca city today). Plan to spend the whole day in the saddle on this scenic adventure!
Countryside, GPS, MTBing
Diaz Ordaz & Yagul
by Larry • • 0 Comments
If you are looking for a splendid, long ride through the countryside on a beautiful day, this adventure just might tickle your imagination. Basically an outing on unpaved backcountry roads, this route will take you from Oaxaca to Diaz Ordaz, with a little lollipop loop at the end that puts you within striking distance of the scenic ruins of the Zapotec palace complex at Yagul, should you care to visit there. Coming in at 49 miles (79 km), this is a long ride, and one with enough rolling terrain to keep things interesting.