Today’s ride took seven cyclists from Oaxaca through the countryside to Tlalixtac and then up the valley where the Mil Rios trail comes down the mountain from near La Neveria. The full Mil Rios trail is ridden downhill because it is steep and difficult in its upper reaches (see other “Mil Rios” entries on the RIDES page of this website). The lower section, though, makes for a fine out & back ride on a Sunday morning. It took the group 90 minutes to pedal from Santo Domingo church in Oaxaca to the entry point to the Mil Rios trail, where there was a toll station at which each rider paid a fee of 10 pesos. The initial few miles from that point were on a freshly-graded dirt road which services the four dams spaced at intervals up the valley. Eventually the road petered out and the trail became a single track running through the forest. A number of stream crossings and rock gardens made the ride interesting. Time constraints dictated when the group had to turn around and head back to Oaxaca. Ultimately the gang pedaled 24.2 miles (38.9 kms) round trip, gaining and losing 1447 feet (441 meters) in elevation along the way. The mercado in Tlalixtac provided a good place for a tasty lunch stop on the way home.
Bikers gather before the ride. 
Rolling paved roads. 
Most of the route followed dirt lanes. 
The road leading to the lower Mil Rios trail was freshly graded. 
Having fun splashing through the creek. 
Pausing for a break. 
A dicey bridge crossing. 
Heading back to the city.
Photo op in Tlalixtac. 
There were several stream crossings.