We have a new mountain biker in town, a recent transplant from Colima, who is eager to explore the bike trails and back roads of Oaxaca. Antonio has taken part in several recent rides with the gringo bikers who hit the trail two or three times each week. On this Sunday morning low clouds obscured nearby mountains and the humidity was high after a heavy thundershower the night before. There were abundant puddles on city streets and lots of mud on country roads. In many places sand and rocks had washed over paved roads at the height of the storm, but these presented no obstacle to mountain bikes. The route chosen for the day took the group from Oaxaca out to Zaachila, then to Cuilapam, thence through the hills to San Pedro Ixtlahuaca and Atzompa before returning to base. Riders covered 33 miles (53 kilometers), with an elevation gain and loss of 1388 feet (423 meters) on the circuit.