Category: MTBing

Items related to actual riding of mountain bikes.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Tlacolula Two

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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).

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

Magdalena / Catalina Mixtepec Loop

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If you are looking for a high-country ride to enjoy mountain scenery and escape the heat of the Oaxaca valley, this loop through Magdalena Mixtepec and Santa Catalina Mixtepec may be just the ticket. These two small villages are tucked into steep mountain valleys about midway between Zaachila and San Miguel Peras. A shuttle takes bikes and riders to the intersection where the unpaved road to Magdalena branches off from the paved road between Santa Inez del Monte and San Miguel. The shuttle drive takes 90 minutes each way from Oaxaca. The ride itself utilizes a combination of paved and dirt roads and covers a distance of 35.4 km (22.0 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 1094 meters (3590 feet). The various roads generally have a gradient of between 8% and 12% – not too strenuous until you reckon the uphill segments run for miles at a time. The highest point on the route is 2822 meters (9258 feet) and the lowest spot registers 1841 meters (6041 feet). Expect to spend about 4.5 hours completing the loop.

The four dedicated cyclists on today’s mountain adventure.
Biking buddies.
Riding an ebike makes the hill climbs easy!
If you look closely you can see Magdalena Mixtepec far down the valley to the left.
The church in Magdalena Mixtepec.
Santa Catalina Mixtepec resides in a different mountain valley.
A child’s birthday party was in progress at the municipal building in Santa Catalina.
Road signs along the way point out miradors and cascadas.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

San Antonio Buena Vista

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This small village nestled in a quiet corner of the Tlocolula valley is completely unpretentious and seldom seen – except by mountain bikers looking for some out-of-the-way place to visit on a pleasant ride from Oaxaca city. The route to and from may vary slightly from time to time, and in any case is quite similar to other ventures into this part of the Central Valley of Oaxaca. The figures for today’s excursion are: 63.9 km (39.7 miles) traveled, with 319 meters (1048 feet) of elevation gain and loss.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

Jalapa Lollipop

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A pleasant, moderate ride through the rolling hills of the western Etla valley to Jalapa del Valle and back, passing through San Andres Ixtlahuaca both going and coming. Distance traveled amounted to 48.4 km (30.7 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 724 meters (2376 feet) along the way. Elapsed time was almost exactly three hours.

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GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

Spanish Mining Haciendas

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The Spanish mined the hills and valleys around the Papaloapam River for silver and gold from the 1600 through the 1800’s. There were two significant ore processing haciendas not far from Amatlan and Lachatao, serving a rabbit warren of small mine tunnels in the area. Most of the extensive structures have fallen into ruin, leaving just foundations and a few walls to bear witness to a once-thriving industry. The remains of a couple of large stone aqueducts and their attendant water wheels still stand sentinel over the site. These make for a provocative stop on a 19.3 km (12.0 mile) loop ride on unpaved roads and a single track trail along the stream joining the two haciendas. Though the loop is relatively short, the hill climbs are rather intense (545 meters / 1789 feet), so strong biking ability is required. As an added bonus, there is a charming trout restaurant nearby which can be used as a staging area and a place for a delicious lunch at the conclusion of the ride.

Unpaved roads wind through the mountains around Amatlan and Lachatao.
Spanish moss drips from trees.
Merrily we roll along.
The centerpiece of today’s ride is the single track trail linking the mining haciendas.
The trail is little used and not maintained, so obstacles are commonplace.
Centuries old stone bridges cross the stream.
Pedaling past the ruins of some buildings.
A friendly burro was our welcoming committee at the Cinco Señores hacienda.
A trout restaurant on the river was the start and end point of today’s ride.