One of the great advantages of being a retiree is the ability to go riding on weekdays. Granted, vehicular traffic in Oaxaca is a nightmare any day but Sunday. However, if you can get out into the countryside – especially on dirt roads – and leave the city behind, then you escape the crush of cars and trucks, motorcycles and buses. On this particular ride the only traffic we encountered on the trail was woodcutters and their burros. Nice! The first objective on this Tuesday outing was to ride the Muñeca trail in the hills above Tlalixtac. From there riders descended a twisty single track to the valley floor, then pedaled to the two presas near Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, going as far up the valley as the road/trail allowed. When all was said and done, the three cyclists on today’s excursion traveled 56.2 kilometers (34.9 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 791 meters (2595 feet). All in all, it was a great ride!