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Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Easter Ride to Jalapa del Valle

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Easter Sunday dawned bright and clear in Oaxaca on 17 April 2022, with a forecast high temperature of 33ºC / 92ºF. Four cyclists elected to skip church services and Easter egg hunts in favor of a somewhat challenging ride through the countryside – some of the hill climbs had grades of 12% or more. The destination chosen for the day was Jalapa del Valle, a very small village on the Rio Jalapilla at the western edge of the Etla Valley. Pedaling along at a moderate pace and stopping several times for cold drinks and snacks, the group finished the ride in 5.5 hours. When all was said and done, the gang covered 50.7 kilometers / 31.5 miles from start to finish, with an elevation gain and loss of 688 meters / 2259 feet along the way. A good time was had by all.

  • Two of the four riders on today’s outing.
  • Cranking up another long hill climb.
  • At times the uphill sections seemed endless.
  • Finally! Some serious downhill.
  • Warm weather and lots of climbing required several stops for water or cold drinks.
  • Still able to smile, despite fatigue.
  • Moving right along.
  • Miles and miles of wide open space.

Countryside, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Presas of Tomaltepec

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Patrick G. was the ride leader today – Sunday, 27 February 2022 – and elected to take the gang out to the presas in the mountain valley just above Santo Domingo Tomaltepec. A mixed group of fifteen men and women assembled in the plaza in front of Santo Domingo at 9 am for the start of the ride. Two of them were newcomers to the band – Sam S., visiting Oaxaca with his wife and two children from Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory of northwestern Canada, and Ulises, a young Oaxaqueño. After pedaling to Tule, where several of the group were fascinated by their first view of the massive tree in the churchyard, the riders moved on through Santo Domingo Tomaltepec and then took a dirt road up valley to the second and more scenic of the two reservoirs. Four of the band were enticed into the lake for a swim while the rest spent time relaxing and chatting in the woods. Most of the riders turned back to Oaxaca at that point, with just two pressing further on to the ultimate end of the trail before heading for home. The total distance covered on the day’s excursion was about 38 kilometers (24 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 228 meters (750 feet). The ride was rated as easy and the group moved at a leisurely pace. Everyone seemed to enjoy another perfectly wonderful day.

  • Cyclists arriving in Santa Maria el Tule.
  • Pausing to admire a wall mural.
  • One of the happy bikers in today’s group.
  • Fascinated by the ancient cedar tree in the church yard.
  • Pedaling through the countryside between Tule and Santo Domingo Tomaltepec.
  • Toll station: paying the 15 peso fee to ride through communal land.

    Countryside, GPS, Photos

    First Ride in the New Year

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    We wanted to kick off the new year (2022) with a significant ride, and so chose the Tejalápam / Mazaltepec loop to do it. Today’s riders were all gringos – none of our Mexican amigos joined in. There were eight guys and one gal in the group. After meeting in the plaza in front of Santo Domingo at 9 am, the band pedaled through Atzompa to San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, then swung west on paved roads to San Felipe Tejalápam. From there we followed a freshly-graded gravel road up and over a ridge of hills and then down to Santo Tomas Mazaltepec. This was the most challenging part of the outing, where the major portion of the climbing was concentrated. The grade in places was over 15%, which prompted some riders to dismount and push their bikes uphill. The descent into Mazaltepec was fast and fun. It took the group 90 minutes to ride from Oaxaca to Tejalápam, then 60 minutes more to get to the crest of the hill. From there the group reached Mazaltepec in just 20 minutes. Then it was a bit over 90 minutes more to get back home to Oaxaca. Overall the gang covered 60.2 kilometers (37.4 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 413 meters (1356 feet) on the loop.

    • Bikers rendezvous at 9 am for the day’s ride.
    • The hill climbing was strenuous, but the view well worth the effort.
    • Nearing the top – elevation 1834 meters (6018 feet).
    • Our lone female rider keeps up the pace.
    • Downhill at last!!!
    • Taking a break.
    • Cold drinks and snacks at a miscellanea in Mazaltepec.
    • At the doll ranch in Atzompa.
    • The municipal building in Santo Tomas Mazaltepec.

    Countryside, Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

    Once More Around The Loop

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    The Sundays of December 2021 are turning out to be warmer than usual, with daytime highs consistently near 85º Fahrenheit / 29º Celsius. Most of our cyclists are fine with that, as the morning chill burns off quickly and the temperature is ideal when we start pedaling at 9 am. Today’s excursion was a repeat of a favorite – though challenging – loop that took the group through Tule and San Sebastian Teitipac before crossing a ridge of hills and descending into San Bartolo Coyotepec and then back to Oaxaca. There were several new riders among the nine participants who showed up, and they were apprehensive about the length of the ride and the challenge of riding the rough and steep trail over the ridgeline. To their credit, all stuck to the task and succeeded in finishing the ride, which covered 50 kilometers (31 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of about 396 meters (1300 feet).

    • In the Tlacolula valley.
    • At the high point of the ride.
    • Starting the long descent.

    Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

    Presas of Tomaltepec

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    The two presas in the mountain valley above Santo Domingo Tomaltepec are a frequent and much-loved destination for scenic bike rides from Oaxaca. The nearest, Presa Rosita, is not as pretty or accessible as the second, Presa Mina. The latter was the end point for both our small group of eight bikers and quite a number of other cyclists out enjoying a Sunday ride on a lovely day at the end of November. Quite a few fishermen were also gathered at the lake, testing their luck with a variety of lures. Two of our party went for a swim in the lake. The day’s gentle loop ride covered 39 kilometers (24.2 miles), with 265 meters (870 feet) of elevation gain and loss on the circuit. Moving at a leisurely pace, with a stop along the way to sample tamales from a street vendor in Tlalixtac, the group spent four hours in the saddle.