Category: Countryside

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Trail Info

Bike Trail to Tule

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Oaxaca recently completed another section of the “Rails to Trails” project converting the old railroad line running from Oaxaca city to the town of Tule into a dedicated bicycle path. The latest addition takes bike riders to a point in Tule just a few blocks from the parish church where the famous gigantic cedar tree towers over the landscape. The newest segment is nicely paved and features solar-powered street lamps to light the path at night. While a portion of the new bike path shares the right-of-way with a four-lane road, the major part is well away from vehicular traffic. Unfortunately, the bike trail starts well away from the center of Oaxaca and may be difficult for some to locate – the bike path starts at the intersection of Ferrocarril and Norte Cinco.

 

 

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Racing

Mountain Bike Race at Cuilapam

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There was a mountain bike race held on Sunday, 20 October 2013 in Cuilapam de Guerrero, a village just 11 kilometers southwest of Oaxaca city. Unlike the other races listed here, this one was not league sponsored but was organized by the people of Cuilapam as part of a weekend fiesta. The race course ran alongside (and frequently crossed) the river and then ventured into nearby countryside. The route was unusually flat and had no technical aspects to speak of; however, the frequent water crossings certainly added some challenge to the enterprise. The race circuit covered 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and had an elevation gain & loss of just 243 feet (74 meters).

Countryside, MTBing, Photos, Ride Routes

San Felipe del Agua to Ocotlan

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If you want to stretch your legs, put in a good number of miles and enjoy some fine arts and crafts along the way, this ride from Oaxaca to Ocotlan may suit your fancy. You will rack up nearly 64 miles in the saddle if you follow this route, which takes the long (i.e. scenic) way to Octolan via back roads in the Tlacolula Valley to avoid traffic on the main highway going south out of town. Though the mileage is significant, most of the route is relatively flat — honest! However you get to Ocotlan, you will have to cross the ridge that separates the Tlocolula Valley from the Zimatlan Valley (on some maps called the Grande Valley) to the south.

In Ocotlan you will want to stop at the Rodolpho Morales museum and visit the workshop of the famous Aquilar sisters. Either going to or coming from Ocotlan, you will pass right by the village of San Tomas Jalieza, where women use back-strap looms to weave apparel items, and San Martín Tilcajete, world-famous for the fanciful wood carvings called “alebrijes.” With stops to look at art and to have lunch, this will be an all-day excursion. Take your time and enjoy it! Your legs and rear end will appreciate getting some time off the bike.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Mitla

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The ride east from Oaxaca city to Mitla through the Tlacolula valley is an archeologist’s dream. The Zapotec palace ruins in Mitla are second in importance only to Monte Alban, and include some of the finest and most complete palaces found anywhere in Mesoamerica. And on the way to Mitla the rider may well want to stop to investigate the ruins at Dainzu, Lambityeco and Yagul — all well worth a visit, and just minutes off the route. Since this ride is lengthy, be sure to allot plenty of time – like the whole day! – to enjoy both the countryside and the archeological sites.

The route shown on the map below begins and ends in the Zocalo in central Oaxaca. It requires pedaling 60.7 miles (97.7 km) along a dedicated bike path, secondary dirt roads, some bushwhacking on singletrack, and a limited amount of riding on the shoulder of the principal highway. The route is remarkably flat, entailing an elevation gain/loss of just 1780 feet (542.5 meters) along the way.  The Zocalo sits at an elevation of 5124 feet (1562 meters), while the main palace complex in Mitla is the high point, registering 5594 feet (1705 meters) above sea level.

Be sure to use sunscreen and carry plenty of water. There are numerous places enroute to stop for snacks, lunch, a cold drink, some ice cream or a snowcone.  Invite some friends to ride along, make a day of it and have an enjoyable time!

Countryside, GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

Cuatro Venados Loop

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This loop ride is a cousin, of sorts, to the “San Pablo Cuatro Venados” ride which appears later on this page. Both versions of the ride begin and end in San Felipe del Agua, and both feature the very formidable climb up the mountainside to the tiny village of San Pablo Cuatro Venados. What sets this ride apart, though, is that it continues past 4 Venados, crossing through the high country at over 9000 feet elevation, then descends steeply through Santa Ines del Monte to Zaachila before returning to Oaxaca city (on mercifully level ground!). This is one of the epic rides around Oaxaca, and should not be taken lightly. The loop can be ridden in either direction, and is equally difficult either way. Pick your poison! If you can arrange a shuttle, you can eliminate the pain of the huge climb to Cuatro Venados and concentrate on the much more thrilling screamer of a downhill run back to Oaxaca.

The loop ride, start to finish, will take you 56.3 miles (90.6 km). The high point of the adventure is 9281 feet (2829 meters) in elevation. The uphill climb clocks in at 6219 feet (1895 meters). The ride is rated “Difficult” because of the length, steep gradients and altitude. There are no technical sections of trail (the entire route is on paved or dirt roads), but the unpaved sections can be quite rough in places and you will be moving at high speeds coming downhill.

Options for a shorter ride include starting and ending at the Zócalo in the center of Oaxaca rather than in San Felipe. This alone will take 7.0 miles (11.3 km) off the total distance. Using a shuttle to get to Cuatro Venados and riding just one way will cut the route in half. The segment from Cuatro Venados through Santa Ines to Zaachila amounts to just 11.3 miles (18.2 km), is mostly downhill and should take just 3 hours.