Category: Countryside

Almost ten years ago to the day this author first rode along the abandoned railroad line connecting Oaxaca with Tlacolula and points beyond. In 2014 the Nitos Ciclistas En Movimiento bike club regularly attracted a good many cyclists for their weekly Sunday rides. There were about twenty participants in the ride on 11 May. Sadly, the club went into hibernation during the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021 and has never regained its former strength. Today’s excursion followed almost the identical route, but went counter-clockwise this time. What was noticably different was the change in the trail from the ruins of Dainzu to Tlacolula. In 2014 it was a barely visible, thorn infested track; now it is in regular use by all sorts of vehicles. Still, two bikers got flat tires today where the gang in 2014 had eight punctures. There were thirteen participants in the group – nine natives and four gringos. The stats for the day are: 74.3 km (46.2 miles) traveled, with an elevation gain and loss of 275 meters (902 feet).

Cyclists who take part in our regular Sunday excursions are looking for exercise and some good comaraderie. The exercise comes from the rides, which are mostly of moderate difficulty and cover between 32 and 64 kilometers (20 to 40 miles). The socializing happens on the trail and when the group stops for brunch along the way. With this latter in mind, the route on any given Sunday will likely visit a village which is holding a fiesta that day. There is almost always a town somewhere in the Valles Centrales celebrating a patron’s feast or marking some similar occasion. So it was Santo Domingto Tomaltepec sponsoring a mountain bike race and community celebration this last day in March, which also happened to be Easter Sunday. The streets around the zocalo were tented over, with vendors displaying all sorts of merchandise and multiple stalls selling street food. A brass band and a parade added to the festivities. All of which added spice to the day’s bike adventure.