People ride bikes for many reasons. Some need to get from one place to another, and a bike is a utilitarian way to accomplish this. Others climb on the saddle to get some exercise and fresh air. Then there are those who pedal about the countryside simply for enjoyment. Some of the best rides combine two or more of these objectives. Our informal Sunday ride group is bent on having fun, but with a “fresh air and exercise” component. Who can argue with that?! The excursion on 17 September was no exception. Seven riders assembled at the specified time and place, then set out for the presas in the valley above Santo Domingo Tomaltepec and points beyond. Three of the cyclists were first-time riders with the group, so there was a lot of information sharing before and during the ride. The lunch stop at the little comedor at Presa Mina afforded an opportunity not only to enjoy some delicious food but to let folks become better acquainted. A trail map, description and photos of this route – one of our favorite weekend outings – can be found elsewhere on both this HOME and the RIDES page of this website. Peruse those at your leisure, then get on your bike and hit the trail! You will have a lot of fun!
Category: GPS
Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized
Searching For A Northwest Passage
by Larry • • 0 Comments
Centuries ago, in the early days of transatlantic travel, mariners and merchants went in search of a fabled northwest passage in the Arctic that would connect the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. No such route was ever found (though with global warming and the melting of the polar ice cap one may someday be revealed).
In a similar fashion, one of our cyclists thought there must surely be a way to ride from the northern reaches of Oaxaca across the flank of Cero San Felipe to the town of Viguera and into the Etla valley. This would bypass the main highway, with its tremendous vehicular traffic, and the never-completed Libramiento Norte bypass road, with its formidable uphill climb to a pass at the top. After studying road maps, he thought he had found such a route, albeit rather roundabout, that followed the contour of the mountain. So on this Monday morning two intrepid riders set out to find the way. Sadly, the map program showed any number of routes which turned out to be drainage channels, long flights of stairs on steep hillsides or were dead ends. Failing to find a through passage, the riders descended to the valley floor and rode into Viguera. Undeterred by their misadventure, they succeeded in reaching San Pablo Etla and riding to the La Mesita park and preserve well up the mountainside. The ride home was less adventurous and much easier, following known roads. From start to finish, the ride covered 52 kilometers (32.3 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 810 meters (2657 feet). This was a good workout for legs and lungs, as some of the hill climbs had a gradient of 17% in places. The outing was deemed a success, despite not having found that elusive northwest passage.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos
Destination: San Andres Ixtlahuaca
by Larry • • 0 Comments
Skies were gloomy and the weatherman said there was a chance of rain this Sunday morning; and in fact there was a brief light shower about 7:15 am. This may have persuaded some folks to stay home, as only three fellows showed up for the ride at eight o’clock. The gods of rain looked favorably upon us, though, as the cloud cover lifted and there were patches of blue sky as the ride progressed. The ride itself was a pleasant but rather short one of just 38.8 kilometers (24.1 miles) from Oaxaca’s center to the zocalo in San Andres Ixtlahuaca, where the group stopped to sample the flavorful dishes prepared by women at comals – memelitas, empanadas, tlayudas, quesadillas – all a tasty treat for those who had skipped breakfast. The return to Oaxaca was uneventful, though the ride ended too soon.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized
San Agustin Etla
by Larry • • 0 Comments
This Sunday ride took cyclists to the Casa de las Artes in San Agustin Etla, roughly 24 kms (15 miles) north-northwest of Oaxaca’s city center. Bright blue skies provided lots of sunshine in place of the low-hanging clouds which are the norm in the rainy season. Riders consisted of two women and two men, all of roughly equal ability. There were no surprises – flat tires or mechanical problems – so the ride went smoothly and the day was most enjoyable. Cyclists covered 47.8 kms (29.7 miles) on today’s outing and accumulated an elevation gain and loss of 376 meters (1236 feet) on the journey.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing
San Marcos Tlapazola
by Larry • • 0 Comments
The village of San Marcos Tlapazola is situated 8.8 kms (5.5 miles) south-southwest of Tlacolula de Matamoros where it is nestled up against the mountains which form the southern rim of that part of the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca. It is the destination for one of the longer and more arduous weekly bike rides in our repetoire. Four bikers formed the small group which pedaled this way on 12 August 2023. Their route was essentially the same as shown on the map below, recorded in May of 2022. What distinguished this outing was the fact that torrential rain a day or two earlier had pushed the Rio Salado well above flood stage, necessitating detours around two places where our path crossed the stream. The water was muddy, making it impossible to gauge its depth, and extensive mud on the exposed riverbank discouraged any attempt to continue that way. Not surprisingly, there were a lot of mud puddles to be avoided everywhere beyond Tlacochahuaya. Water and muck notwithstanding, the group soldiered on, completing the circuit in just short of six hours. Then it was time to give our two-wheeled chariots thorough baths.