Six months had elapsed since we last did a Sunday ride to Jalapa del Valle, so that seemed a good destination for this excursion in mid-October. Heavy cloud cover kept temperatures cool the whole day – the forecast high was only 23.3º Celsius (74º Fahrenheit). No rain was called for, but a very light drizzle accompanied our riders on the last several miles back into the city. Seven bikers showed up for the outing, but two of those peeled off to ride up to Monte Alban rather than pedal the distance to Jalapa and back. Those who stayed the course rode a total of 59.7 kilometers (37.1 miles), including 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles) on an exploratory ride up a dirt road running west from Jalapa to a small dam and reservoir in the hills west of the town. The group gained and lost a total of 696 meters (2284 feet) in elevation on the circuit. Time in the saddle amounted to about five hours, with some additional time spent chowing down on carnitas at a roadside eatery in Atzompa on the final leg of the ride.
Jalapa del Valle is nestled in the valley of the Rio Jalapilla. 
Four of our intrepid riders on today’s 59.7 km ride. 
Relaxing among the wildflowers. 
At the church in Jalapa del Valle. 
A refueling stop along the way.