One of the great advantages of being a retiree is the ability to go riding on weekdays. Granted, vehicular traffic in Oaxaca is a nightmare any day but Sunday. However, if you can get out into the countryside – especially on dirt roads – and leave the city behind, then you escape the crush of cars and trucks, motorcycles and buses. On this particular ride the only traffic we encountered on the trail was woodcutters and their burros. Nice! The first objective on this Tuesday outing was to ride the Muñeca trail in the hills above Tlalixtac. From there riders descended a twisty single track to the valley floor, then pedaled to the two presas near Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, going as far up the valley as the road/trail allowed. When all was said and done, the three cyclists on today’s excursion traveled 56.2 kilometers (34.9 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 791 meters (2595 feet). All in all, it was a great ride!
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Uncategorized
Fun! Fun! Fun!
by Larry • • 0 Comments
People ride bikes for many reasons. Some need to get from one place to another, and a bike is a utilitarian way to accomplish this. Others climb on the saddle to get some exercise and fresh air. Then there are those who pedal about the countryside simply for enjoyment. Some of the best rides combine two or more of these objectives. Our informal Sunday ride group is bent on having fun, but with a “fresh air and exercise” component. Who can argue with that?! The excursion on 17 September was no exception. Seven riders assembled at the specified time and place, then set out for the presas in the valley above Santo Domingo Tomaltepec and points beyond. Three of the cyclists were first-time riders with the group, so there was a lot of information sharing before and during the ride. The lunch stop at the little comedor at Presa Mina afforded an opportunity not only to enjoy some delicious food but to let folks become better acquainted. A trail map, description and photos of this route – one of our favorite weekend outings – can be found elsewhere on both this HOME and the RIDES page of this website. Peruse those at your leisure, then get on your bike and hit the trail! You will have a lot of fun!
Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized
Searching For A Northwest Passage
by Larry • • 0 Comments
Centuries ago, in the early days of transatlantic travel, mariners and merchants went in search of a fabled northwest passage in the Arctic that would connect the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. No such route was ever found (though with global warming and the melting of the polar ice cap one may someday be revealed).
In a similar fashion, one of our cyclists thought there must surely be a way to ride from the northern reaches of Oaxaca across the flank of Cero San Felipe to the town of Viguera and into the Etla valley. This would bypass the main highway, with its tremendous vehicular traffic, and the never-completed Libramiento Norte bypass road, with its formidable uphill climb to a pass at the top. After studying road maps, he thought he had found such a route, albeit rather roundabout, that followed the contour of the mountain. So on this Monday morning two intrepid riders set out to find the way. Sadly, the map program showed any number of routes which turned out to be drainage channels, long flights of stairs on steep hillsides or were dead ends. Failing to find a through passage, the riders descended to the valley floor and rode into Viguera. Undeterred by their misadventure, they succeeded in reaching San Pablo Etla and riding to the La Mesita park and preserve well up the mountainside. The ride home was less adventurous and much easier, following known roads. From start to finish, the ride covered 52 kilometers (32.3 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 810 meters (2657 feet). This was a good workout for legs and lungs, as some of the hill climbs had a gradient of 17% in places. The outing was deemed a success, despite not having found that elusive northwest passage.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Destination: San Andres Ixtlahuaca
by Larry • • 0 Comments
Skies were gloomy and the weatherman said there was a chance of rain this Sunday morning; and in fact there was a brief light shower about 7:15 am. This may have persuaded some folks to stay home, as only three fellows showed up for the ride at eight o’clock. The gods of rain looked favorably upon us, though, as the cloud cover lifted and there were patches of blue sky as the ride progressed. The ride itself was a pleasant but rather short one of just 38.8 kilometers (24.1 miles) from Oaxaca’s center to the zocalo in San Andres Ixtlahuaca, where the group stopped to sample the flavorful dishes prepared by women at comals – memelitas, empanadas, tlayudas, quesadillas – all a tasty treat for those who had skipped breakfast. The return to Oaxaca was uneventful, though the ride ended too soon.
Uncategorized
Jalapa Double Loop Ride
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This Tuesday morning ride to Jalapa del Valle and back utilized a combination of paved and unpaved roads. Skies were clear, with a few puffy clouds hovering above the mountains to the north and west of Oaxaca and the thermometer registered 17º C (63ºF) at the outset. Riders covered a total of 54.5 kms (33.9 miles) on the outing, with an elevation gain and loss of 721 meters (2367 feet). The ride kicked off at 8 am and was completed at 11:30 am – well before afternoon thundershowers moved in. All in all, a delightful time to be out on a bicycle!