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.
Category: Foothills
Countryside, Foothills, GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos
San Baltazar Guelavila II
by Larry • • 0 Comments
Another visit to the hill country surrounding San Baltazar Guelavila. Larry, Dhruba, Jeff and Memo were led today by a local guide, Emanuel, on a nearly twenty mile (31 km) lollipop loop ride. Lots of ups and downs on this route, with a total of 2349 feet (716 meters) elevation gain and loss. Gorgeous scenery along the way, with a stop at Las Salinas to hike a short distance in the slot canyon to a small waterfall.
Lunch afterwards at El Milenario restaurant in Tule on the way home.
Foothills, GPS, Hiking, MTBing, Photos, Trail Info
CdJ / El Estudiante
by Larry • • 0 Comments
The Camino de Juarez, a paved trail running over 46 kilometers from Guelatao to Oaxaca, opened in March 2024. This report focuses on the segment that goes from Oaxaca to El Estudiante, basically supplanting the older single track Los Molinos trail. The CdJ itself is accessed from Hwy 175 where it passes by the two small lakes in Huayapam. The map below shows the route from Oaxaca to El Estudiante, passing through Tlalixtac and then using the CdJ going uphill, with the return to Oaxaca using the highway. The round trip distance amounts to 43.1 kms (26.8 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of about 549 meters (1800 feet). While the trail has a smooth surface and no technical obstacles, the CdJ is steep in places – up to 18% grade – with several sections of stairs. Bikers with strong legs and a good sense of balance can ride the whole way, using the narrow border strips which run alongside the steps. More timid riders will have to dismount and push their bikes up the ramps. Either way, this is a great outing. Today’s ride took five hours to complete, counting an hour’s stop for lunch at a restaurant on the shore of one of the two presas in Huayapam.
Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Climbing The Wall – Again
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This ride features a long climb to San Pablo Cuatro Venados, which looks out over the Valley of Oaxaca from a perch near the top of the mountain ridge which forms the western boundary of the valley. The ascent is primarily on pavement – notably the Amlo road constructed 2020-2023 – while the descent is principally on an old, little-used jeep road which spirals into the valley. The gradient is steep, ranging between 10% and 19%, making for a challenging climb and a screaming descent. Good exercise and great fun! Round trip distance amounts to 62.9 kms (39.1 miles), with 1296 meters (4251 feet) of elevation change. Expect to spend a good five hours in the saddle to accomplish the loop.
Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Ride The Hills
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This is an intermediate ride of 51 kilometers (31.7 miles) that takes advantage of some unpaved country roads which loop through the hills located between San Andrés Ixtlahuaca, Jalapa del Valle and San Felipe Tejalapam. Quite a scenic adventure when the hillsides lie green beneath an azure sky. Be advised that the hill climbs are numerous, but not too long or steep. There is an elevation gain and loss of 630 meters (2069 feet) along the way. A group of Sunday riders finished the course in five hours, counting time out for snacks (memelas, tacos & empanadas) at a street vendor’s stall in the zocalo in San Andrés Ixtlahuaca on the way back to Oaxaca.
