Category: MTBing

Items related to actual riding of mountain bikes.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Knocking About Ixtlahuaca

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Ron was the ride leader for today’s outing and suggested we begin by riding the paved road up to the archeological ruins at Atzompa. As expected, the ruins themselves were closed because of the pandemic, but we had not planned to explore them, anyway. From the top of the mountain we followed some single track trails down into the valley which is home to several towns that share the Ixtlahuaca name. Somewhere around the ex-hacienda San Jose Alee took over as our guide and led the group on a merry excursion over and around many of the rolling hills in the area. We variously pedaled along gravel roads, single track trails and along or through several creekbeds. It was a great day to be out on a bike, as we enjoyed clear blue skies and a gentle breeze. Our group of six cyclists covered a distance of 40.7 kilometers (25.3 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 577 meters (1893 feet) in the course of the day. As has become our custom, there was a stop at a roadside eatery near the end of the ride where riders feasted on memelas, tlayudas and other treats, washed down with beer and soft drinks. Total time on the trip amounted to about 5.5 hours, including the lunch break.

  • Looking out over the Ixtlahuaca valley from near the Atzompa ruins.
  • Reducing tire pressure for the steep downhill single track.
  • Chad takes the plunge.
  • Flowers ready to be harvested for the Day of the Dead.
  • Hungry bikers chow down near the end of the ride.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Jalapa del Valle Loop

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Six months had elapsed since we last did a Sunday ride to Jalapa del Valle, so that seemed a good destination for this excursion in mid-October. Heavy cloud cover kept temperatures cool the whole day – the forecast high was only 23.3º Celsius (74º Fahrenheit). No rain was called for, but a very light drizzle accompanied our riders on the last several miles back into the city. Seven bikers showed up for the outing, but two of those peeled off to ride up to Monte Alban rather than pedal the distance to Jalapa and back. Those who stayed the course rode a total of 59.7 kilometers (37.1 miles), including 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles) on an exploratory ride up a dirt road running west from Jalapa to a small dam and reservoir in the hills west of the town. The group gained and lost a total of 696 meters (2284 feet) in elevation on the circuit. Time in the saddle amounted to about five hours, with some additional time spent chowing down on carnitas at a roadside eatery in Atzompa on the final leg of the ride.

  • Jalapa del Valle is nestled in the valley of the Rio Jalapilla.
  • Four of our intrepid riders on today’s 59.7 km ride.
  • Relaxing among the wildflowers.
  • At the church in Jalapa del Valle.
  • A refueling stop along the way.

Countryside, MTBing, Photos

Another Lobera Loop Ride

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An affable group of nine riders gathered at 9 am in front of the church of Santo Domingo this bright Sunday morning intent on doing a long loop ride through the countryside. Pedaling from Oaxaca to Cuilapam, the band stopped to see the ruins of the never-completed Dominican monastery there, then proceeded south and west on country lanes, eventually reaching La Lobera, our destination for the day. On the return journey we made a lengthy stop at the Sabor A Ti restaurant for a round of drinks and tasty lunch treats. After that, the gang continued on to Zaachila and thence back to Oaxaca. Ours was an especially loquacious bunch, as our GPS unit recorded 3.5 hours of pedaling and an equal amount of time chewing the fat! In any event, we covered 56.3 kilometers (35.0 miles) on the ride, gaining and losing 417 meters (1368 feet) in elevation on the circuit. A good time was had by all.

  • Bikers gather before the ride.
  • The monastery ruins in Cuilapam are closed because of the pandemic,
    but Uriel, an enterprising pre-teen, offered a good description of them.
  • It was another glorious day to be out on a bike ride.
  • Lots of foot traffic on the road near La Lobera.
  • Some of the tasty and inexpensive dishes offered at Sabor A Ti.
  • Riding through open country.

Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Viguera Loop Ride

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Today’s Sunday ride was a moderate one for both time and distance but the route offered some challenges because of the steep and rocky terrain covered. Our group of six riders left from Santo Domingo, heading north up the hill through San Felipe del Agua. Rather than sticking to pavement, riders churned up some gnarly back roads to reach the Libramiento Norte, which they then followed to the top of the mountain ridge and then zoomed full speed down into Viguera. At that point the pack split in half, with three riders continuing on to San Pablo Etla while the other three dropped down to the old railroad line which they then followed back to Oaxaca. This shorter route is the one shown on the map, below. The bikers going this way put 31.5 kilometers (19.6 miles) on their odometers while accumulating 411 meters (1349 feet) of elevation gain and loss on the ride.

  • Cheerful bikers on a Sunday outing.
  • Riding back roads around San Felipe.
  • Starting a serious hill climb.
  • Meeting the challenge.
  • Almost to the top.
  • Lots of wildflowers in early October.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Destination Tule

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If you plan to ride anywhere in the Tlacolula valley it is hard to avoid going through Santa Maria el Tule – the charming village just east of Oaxaca famous for the very old, gargantuan tree in the church yard. Today’s Sunday ride set out from central Oaxaca to reach Tule by way of the rocky jeep road that runs from Rosario over a ridge of hills and into the Tlacolula valley. Just four riders turned out for this moderate excursion, but they had the enthusiasm to match a larger group. Once again the weather was perfect for such an outing, with bright skies and mild temperatures. The only negative was finding part of the route under water about halfway to Tule. While the jeep road over the hills is never affected by rain, the lower sections of trail which runs parallel to Hwy 190 can flood after heavy thunderstorms. When the water and mud got as high as the brake rotors, the group decided to turn back and find a different route to Tule. From there it was easy pedaling to Santo Domingo Tomaltepec and then back through Tlalixtac and Huayapam to Oaxaca. All told, riders traveled 44.0 kilometers (27.4 miles) and gained and lost a bit over 431 meters (1400 feet) in elevation on the excursion, which lasted a total of about four hours, counting a stop for lunch along the way.

  • Three of today’s four riders pose for a photo.
  • One of the gnarly sections of the jeep road near Rosario.
  • Stopping to admire the view.
  • Rolling downhill toward Tule.
  • Toñio’s first ride after suffering a broken hand in a bike accident last spring.