The forest preserve at La Cumbre Ixtepeji managed by the World Wildlife Fund is a terrific place for mountain bikers. There are many miles of logging roads and singletrack trails through the woods — all off limits to most vehicular traffic. There is a 50 peso fee to enter the preserve, but it is money well spent for the hours of pleasant riding to be had in the area. It is possible to ride a number of loops, go for an out-and-back ride on the same trail(s) or do a long-distance point-to-point ride (assuming you have a shuttle to drop you off or pick you up at your destination).
Today’s 11.3 mile (18.2 km) ride combines a very nice loop with an out-and-back ride. The loop section combines two sections of trail that are utilized by mountain bike racers competing in either a closed-course race or a cross-country marathon. The out-and-back segment mainly follows a road that — if selected for a long point-to-point ride — would take the rider from the high country at La Cumbre all the way down to the village of Huayapam on the outskirts of Oaxaca City. That would be a killer ride, and one we hope to report on at some future point when we can arrange for a suitable shuttle to the starting point.
The ride described here has an elevation gain and loss of 2053 feet (626 meters) and can be accomplished in about 3.5 hours at a leisurely pace, with time out to admire the scenery, take photographs and enjoy snacks or a lunch on the trail.
