After several weeks of easy Sunday rides, today’s outing was a more challenging loop through the rolling hills west of Monte Alban. Six riders rode from Oaxaca out through Atzompa and Cacaotepec to Tejalápam, then crossed a ridge of hills to San Andres Ixtlahuaca and thence back to Oaxaca. This route covered 48.8 kilometers (30.3 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 465 meters (1525 feet) on the circuit. Counting a stop for lunch in Atzompa at the end of the excursion, the group was enroute for five hours. The weather was perfect, of course, with sunshine and blue skies. The forecast high temperature for the day was expected to hit 31º C (88º F) by mid-afternoon.
Group photo before the ride. 
“Look, ma, no hands!” 
About 20 miles of pavement on today’s ride, with another 10 miles on dirt roads. 
A wrong turn had the group crossing fields on no road at all! 
Anna proved to be a strong rider on the uphill sections. 
Rest stop at the high point of the outing. 
Only one flat tire marred the day’s excursion.