31 October 2021 — last day of the month; last Sunday of October; first day of return to Central Standard time; Halloween & first day of Dia de los Muertos all wrapped into one! Adding yet another dimension to this Sunday ride was the presence of five snowbirds newly arrived from the U.S. for the winter, eager to get back in the saddle. A dozen riders assembled in front of Santo Domingo to take part in this excursion to San Juan Teitipac and back, a distance of 56.3 kilometers (35.1 miles) through the open countryside of the Tlacolula valley. Despite the significant distance the ride was rated “easy” because of flat terrain all the way. A special treat was a visit to the cemetery in San Juan where locals were busy decorating graves with flowers in anticipation of spending the night in vigil, welcoming the spirits of departed loved ones returning for the Day of the Dead.
Waiting for the ride to begin. 
On the bike path to Tule. 
In the open country. 
Taking a bladder break. 
A great day to ride! 
The steepest climb
of the day.
A profusion of yellow flowers
along the way.
In San Juan Teitipac. 
A grave adorned with flowers. 
Another ancestor remembered. 
Two locals in Day of the Dead make-up.