The village of San Pablo Etla, which lies snugged up again the mountains some nine miles north of Oaxaca city, is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers, as there are a number of inviting trails to explore in the foothills there. And so it was a group of six cyclists took off from Santo Domingo at 9 am this last Sunday of March, heading through San Felipe del Aqua, then up and over the Libramiento Norte and down through Viguera to reach San Pablo. Once arrived, the band split in two, with half continuing onward and upward to check out a favorite single track bike trail and the other half sailing down to the valley floor to take the old railroad route back to Oaxaca. The day’s round trip ride came in at 40.9 kilometers (25.4 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 564.5 meters (1852 feet).
On the Macedonia Alcala in el centro.
Riding through Xochimilco. 
Photo op at the church in San Felipe del Agua. 
Nearing the top of the Libramiento Norte. 
Taking a break at the top of the pass. 
All smiles after a fast and safe descent. 
Near the end of the ride in the foothills above San Pablo Etla.