Category: Countryside

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

The Danzante of Zimatlan

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In July of 2018 a gigantic statue of a figure dressed for the Danza de la Pluma, a colorful dance that tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, was erected atop a hill near Zimatlan, the largest town in the Grande Valley to the south of Oaxaca city. This monument is a popular destination for cyclists wanting to explore the back roads of the Zimatlan valley. The round-trip distance amounts to over thirty miles, but it is an easy ride because the terrain is very flat except for the short hill climb to the statue. Expect to spend about four to five hours on this excursion through the countryside. Be sure to use sunscreen and pack some snack food for the journey.  We will likely stop for lunch at the mercado gastronomico in Zaachila where over a dozen small comedors offer a variety of local dishes.

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Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Oaxaca to Dainzu & back

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The archeological site of Dainzu lies about fifteen miles east of Oaxaca in the flatlands of the Tlacolula valley and is easily accessible either from the main highway or via a network of connecting dirt roads in the countryside. The ruins themselves consist of a temple platform built into a hillside; a tomb; a nicely restored ball court and the foundations of several homes. The most unique element is a frieze of eleven carved stone panels lining the front of the temple platform showing ball players in various postures. These are believed to be Zapotec in origin, though one of the panels depicts a player with Mayan characteristics. The agricultural settlement around Dainzu was probably at its peak from 600 BC to 200 AD. 

Ten mountain bikers set out for Dainzu on a fine morning in early March. They made use of the paved bike path to Tule, then took unpaved farm roads through Lachigoló and into Tlacochahuaya, where the group stopped at the local market to pick up tomales for a picnic lunch in Dainzu. The riders reached their destination after pedaling in a leisurely fashion for two hours. After eating, the band retraced their route back to Oaxaca. The round-trip distance amounted to 29.2 miles (47.0 kms), with a moderate elevation gain and loss of 1538 feet (469 meters) along the way. 

Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Oaxaca – W. Etla Valley – Cuilapam

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The rolling hill country of the Etla Valley to the west of Monte Alban is a lure to mountain bikers wanting to escape from the city. Riding from Oaxaca to Cuilapam provides a perfect getaway, offering pleasant vistas to soothe the soul and just enough challenging terrain to rate as a good day in the saddle. The out & back route from the center of Oaxaca to the ruins of the never-completed monastery in Cuilapam covers 31.4 miles (50.5 kms) and accumulates 2625 feet (800 meters) of elevation gain and loss along the way. It is also possible to ride a loop through Cuilapam that returns to Oaxaca via the main paved highway, which is shorter and faster (see second map below) — covering just 23.6 miles (37.5 kms) and with only 1505 feet (459 meters) of climbing and descending. Either option makes for a great cycling experience. 

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Countryside, GPS, Hiking, MTBing, Photos

Mapping the Route for a Hike

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Albi and Larry are both mountain bike enthusiasts and sponsors of a program of weekly hikes around the Valley of Oaxaca and in the surrounding mountains (see www.HoofingItInOaxaca.com). They are always interested in finding new places to take groups of hikers. Many of the hike venues utilized each year were first explored aboard mountain bikes. Such was the case for a proposed new hike from the town center of San Tomas Mazaltepec to San Felipe Tejelápam. The purpose of today’s ride was to map the hike route and find out from local officials what permissions and/or payments were needed before bringing van loads of gringo tourists to hike in this part of the Etla Valley north of the city of Oaxaca. The day’s excursion got under way at 10 am, allowing the sun to warm things up on a mid-winter day. Larry and Albi were joined by Ron and Rafa for the outing. Moving at a leisurely pace, the foursome covered 30.9 miles (49.7 kms) and gained and lost 1774 feet (541 meters) in elevation on what amounted to an out & back ride with a lolly-pop loop at the far end. It was along that loop that the hike route was mapped out. It turns out the new hike will run 5.7 miles (9.2 kms). The highest point along the route tops out at 6097 feet (1858 meters), with the lowest part registering 5418 feet (1651 meters). Hike participants will climb 682 feet (208 meters) and descend 731 feet (223 meters) in the course of their walk. 

 

Countryside, GPS

A visit to the Tlalixtac presas

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Another spectacularly sunny Sunday in Oaxaca in the middle of January, perfect for a bike ride through the countryside. Originally we expected our group of gringo bikers to number at least half a dozen, but in the end just two fellows – both retired expats from the U.S. – were able to make it. Today’s outing was a round-trip excursion from a home on the south side of Oaxaca city to the two small presas which belong to the community of Tlalixtac. The reservoirs are located near where the Mil Rios trail emerges from a mountain valley after plunging down the hillside from near the town of La Neveria in the Sierra Norte. The point was to get some fresh air and exercise, but on country roads rather than single track trails.This objective was achieved nicely. The total distance ridden was exactly 26 miles (41.8 kms), with an elevation gain and loss of 1284 feet (391 meters) along the way. The ride got under way at 10:30 am and concluded at 3:00 pm and included a stop for lunch at a favorite watering hole on Hwy 175 near Huayapam.