Category: Countryside

Countryside, Hiking, Mountains, MTBing, Trail Info

San Agustin Etla – Aqueduct & Hydroelectric Plant

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San Agustin Etla is a charming small village set in the foothills northwest of Oaxaca. Among its attractions are an aqueduct which brings water down the mountain from a small diversion dam to the municipal water treatment and bottling plant. It is also home to the Centro de las Artes – a splendid building which once housed a steam-powered textile mill, and has been converted to a gallery which displays traveling exhibits of art from Mexico and Central America. Be forewarned that there is some serious climbing to be done on this route, both on city streets, dirt roads and single track trails. This ride basically follows the first part of the 26 mile (42 km) course used for the famed “La Carroñera” bike race held at San Agustin from time to time.

The route shown on the map below covers 8.9 miles (14.3 km). The ride starts from the parking lot at the municipal building in San Agustin, which sits at an elevation of 5757 feet (1755 meters). The high point on the trail reaches an altitude of 7097 feet (2163 meters). The elevation gain and loss riding the trail amounts to 2034 feet (620 meters).

Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Summit Cyclery Ride to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec

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A bright Sunday morning enticed fifteen riders to show up for the weekly ride sponsored by Summit Cyclery, located in the Reforma neighborhood of Oaxaca city. The destination for the day was one of the mountain valleys east of the village of Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. Normally an outing in this area comes with the guarantee of getting wet, as there are numerous creek crossings going into and coming back out of the valley. However, the rains this summer seem to have skipped over this area, as the stream had little water in it and the two reservoirs that supply irrigation water to the community were very low.

Riders left Summit Cyclery at about 8:20 am and traveled 25.2 miles on the round trip excursion, passing through Tlalixtac on the way out and returning by way of Tule — where the group stopped to enjoy nieves of various flavors. In the course of the day they climbed about 1240 feet as they wound along the trail through the woods to the eventual turn-around point.

Countryside, Mountains, MTBing, Photos, Racing, Ride Routes

Videos of Mountain Bike Races in the U.S.

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Mountain bikers in Oaxaca have a great selection of local races to enjoy — either as participants or as spectators. But if you are curious about professional races held in the U.S., there is now a way to satisfy that longing. “Mountain Bike Mania” is a TV show that first aired in 2014. Past episodes can be seen at http://mountainbikemania.net/.  Check it out!

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Racing

Mountain Bike Race at San Lorenzo Cacaotepec

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The village of San Lorenzo Cacaotepec is located in the Etla valley 9.5 miles (15.3 km) north of the zocalo in Oaxaca city and sits near the Atoyac River. The town marked its patron saint’s feast day with a community-sponsored mountain bike race on Sunday, 16 August 2015. The race was conducted under the auspices of ACEOVA, but not ACCREO, and so did not draw as many participants — and none of the major race teams — as most such contests. However, those who took part, especially the kids, made up in spirit for what was lacking in numbers.

The race course was a combination of city streets, country lanes and a bit of single track trail through farm fields. The loop course ran 2.6 miles (4.2 km), with a very modest elevation gain and loss of 254 feet (77.4 meters) and no technical challenges, making it one of the shortest and easiest race venues in the area. Contestants rode the circuit four times to complete the race. On-site race registration began at 9 am, with the race itself getting under way at 10 am.

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Countryside, Foothills, MTBing, Photos

Loop Ride: Oaxaca / San Bartolo Coyotepec / Rojas Cuahtémoc / Oaxaca

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Rick B. laid out a great 33 mile (53 km) loop ride through the countryside south and east of Oaxaca city for the Nitos ride on Sunday, 2 August 2015. Most of the route was relatively level, so the going was easy — even though we followed dirt roads most of the way rather than riding on the highways. The start/finish point in downtown Oaxaca has an elevation of 5083 feet (1549.3 meters). The low point on the ride was 4989 feet (1520.6 meters), while the high point crossing over the mountain ridge separating the Zimatlan and Tlacolula valleys topped out at 5912 feet (1802.0 meters). The climb up to the ridge was a challenge, but the going down the other side was great fun! The total elevation gain and loss going around the loop came to 1877 feet (572 meters). The group left the church of St. Agustin in el centro at 8:00 am and finished the ride at the same point just shy of 2:30 pm.