Category: MTBing

Items related to actual riding of mountain bikes.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing

North Etla Valley Loop

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The north end of the Etla valley offers some fine scenery and excellent singletrack trail to view it from. This moderately challenging ride will take the rider from San Pablo Etla on the eastern edge of the valley almost to the mountains that form the western rim. Along the way you will follow paved and (primarily) dirt roads, cut across farm fields, and savor some fine singletrack, especially in the rolling hills that characterize the landscape along the western side of the valley. None of the track is particularly technical, but your legs and lungs will surely get a good workout. Accomplished riders can probably knock out this loop in a bit over four hours. Those finding their way around for the first time and less adept bikers should tack on an additional hour or two for good measure.

The ride as shown begins and ends at Carl Silverberg’s San Pablo Etla home (www.MountainBikeOaxaca.com), and he will be happy to offer visitors to Oaxaca a guided tour of the area. The loop covers 25.5 miles (41.0 km), with accumulated gain & loss of 2844 feet (866.8 meters) along the way. Some of the singletrack trail is very narrow and on rather steep slopes. When crossing some farm fields, you will have to create your own path.

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos

San Felipe – East Side Loop

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This is the second and more difficult loop ride utilizing various elements of the trail network in the hills above San Felipe del Agua. Our purpose here is to illustrate how a great ride can be had by stringing together some of the smaller trail segments described in the “Trails” page of this web site.

The paved (but never completed) road called the “Libramiento Norte” (LNR) is the main access to the entire trail complex. The jeep road labeled “Toro, Toro, Toro” (TTT for short) is the principal dirt trail leading up and into the trail network. The singletrack trail we call “High Flyer Ridge” (HFR) leads to the many steep, downhill-specific trails that plunge down into the forest from the ridge. Finally, it should be noted that none of these trails are in “Benito Juarez National Park,” which is located higher up the mountainside and may be closed due to an ongoing land dispute.

This loop, which stays in the forest on the east side of the Libramiento, offers a terrific ride – with lots of elevation gain, challenging runs through thick forest, technical, rock-strewn descents and several scenic overlooks. The loop covers 9.8 miles (15.8 km) and accumulates a total of 2482 feet (765.5 meters) of elevation gain & loss. The highest point on the trail tops out at 6906 feet (2105 meters). This outing is rated “Difficult” because of the terrain. Expect to complete the ride in from 2.5 to 4.0 hours, depending on the level of your strength, skill and stamina.

If you want to reference this loop with the trail segments listed on the “Trails” page of this web site, you will want to connect the following sections:  (start) LBR to LNR to TTT to R to LNR to HFR to Ma to (unnamed) to M to LNR to LBR (finish).

 

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos, Ride Routes

San Felipe – West Side Loop

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Colonia San Felipe del Agua is a favorite neighborhood for mountain bikers living in Oaxaca – whether gringo ex-pats or natives – because of the proximity of a network of great singletrack trails in the hills just above the community. It is a quick (if not exactly easy) ride from one’s front door to any of a number of satisfying trails. These are remnants of old jeep roads connecting San Felipe with Viguera; various pedestrian and animal paths; and some access trails created during the installation of a high-voltage power line across the mountains. The trails are often badly eroded and overgrown with vegetation, but they are generally rideable – if you can find them! And that’s where this web site comes into play. We’ve mapped the area so you can locate the trail that tickles your fancy on any given outing. Be forewarned, though: the trails are not marked, and can be difficult to find in heavy brush, even with a map. Your best bet is to download trail information into a GPS unit and have that with you when you go exploring the territory – or hook up for a ride with one of the locals who knows the area.

This particular ride is a loop that connects several of the individually-named trail segments found on the “Trails” page of this web site. It begins and ends at Colosio Park (intersection of Primero de Mayo and Loma Oaxal), covers 7.9 miles (12.7 km) and has an elevation gain & loss of 1750 feet (533.4 meters). While some sections are fairly steep and riding in the woods can be tricky, this outing is rated “Moderate,” as there are no serious technical challenges along the way. Expect to finish the loop in 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your biking ability and riding style.

Specifically, this route uses the following trails segments, which are detailed on the “Trails” page of this web site: (start) LBR to LNR to TTT to R to LNR to RR to WFR to SP to CM to LBR (finish).

 

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Ride Routes

San Pablo Etla Mountain Park – Loop 2

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Here’s another loop ride in the foothills above San Pablo Etla. Similar to Loop 1, but a bit shorter and less strenuous, it utilizes some of the many trails that flow over the hillsides and through the valleys nestled up against the mountains that form the eastern rim of the Etla valley.

You will pedal your way 8.6 miles (13.8 km) around this loop, with your legs and lungs working to accomplish 1851 feet (564 meters) of elevation gain and loss in the process. This ride is rated “Moderate” for physical exertion and technical challenges.

 

GPS, MTBing, Outing

Outing – 2012-12-06 Ride (Yet Another CO Gringo)

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Quick (morning) ride to introduce new amigo Judah to a sampling of some of the singletrack of the SFdA area. I.e. Trails TTT, R, MMD, and LP