The Nitos Ciclistas en Movimiento bike club announced a Sunday ride for 31 March to the archeological ruins on Yagul, located in the eastern part of the Valley of Oaxaca not far from Tlacolula. Just five riders showed up to take part in the outing, as other club members were off to be contestants in or spectators at the Titan Zapoteca mountain bike race, perhaps the most famous of the many races held annually around Oaxaca (see http://www.oaxacamtb.org/wp/2012/11/mountain-bike-races/ on this web site). It was a warm and sunny day, with a pleasant breeze blowing out of the east to keep riders comfortable in the saddle. The group made use of the paved bike trail to Tule for the first part of the trip, then followed dirt roads through the countryside to Tlacochahuaya and Dainzu before riding on the shoulder of the highway on to Tlacolula and finally Yagul. The return route followed the highway back to Tule, where riders once again took advantage of the bike path to get back to Oaxaca. The total round-trip distance amounted to 45 miles (72.5 kilometers), with a modest elevation gain and loss of 1230 feet (375 meters) along the way. It took the group something over six hours to complete the ride, moving at a leisurely pace and with stops along the way for refreshments and a picnic lunch at Yagul.
