Category: Photos

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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.

MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Commemorative Ride

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Today – Sunday, 21 November 2021 – our ride was in memory of Gabi Soto and other bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in the past year. A total of 52 bikers took part in the commemorative ride, including 11 of our gringo riders. After gathering at the Oaxaca Convention Center on Calle Lazaro Cardenas, the group pedaled north through the Reforma neighborhood, using the new bike path slong Amapolas street which was opened just a few days ago. Once at the Seven Regions fountain the group dropped down Calzado Porfirio Diaz into el centro and continued out to Xoxocotlan, where they stopped at the small memorial erected at the spot where Gabi was struck and killed by a Zaachila city bus in December of last year. From there the band pedaled back into Oaxaca and ended the ride at the park on Abasolo street between Cinco de Mayo and the Macedonia Alcala pedestrian mall. The distance covered amounted to 18 kilometers (11 miles). It was an easy but somewhat somber ride

  • Banner carried on the ride
    in honor of Gabi Soto.
  • Pedaling through Jalatlaco.
  • Riding the new bike path on
    Amapolas street in Reforma.
  • Coasting down Porfirio Diaz into town.
  • Two lovebirds: Rafa & Eli.
    This was Eli’s first group ride.
  • Pennants on Garcia Vigil catch the sun.
  • On the highway to Xoxocotlan.
  • The roadside memorial
    marking where Gabi was killed.
  • The ride concluded back in Oaxaca.
  • Seven members of the police
    bike patrol were our escorts.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Dia de los Muertos Ride

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31 October 2021 — last day of the month; last Sunday of October; first day of return to Central Standard time; Halloween & first day of Dia de los Muertos all wrapped into one! Adding yet another dimension to this Sunday ride was the presence of five snowbirds newly arrived from the U.S. for the winter, eager to get back in the saddle. A dozen riders assembled in front of Santo Domingo to take part in this excursion to San Juan Teitipac and back, a distance of 56.3 kilometers (35.1 miles) through the open countryside of the Tlacolula valley. Despite the significant distance the ride was rated “easy” because of flat terrain all the way. A special treat was a visit to the cemetery in San Juan where locals were busy decorating graves with flowers in anticipation of spending the night in vigil, welcoming the spirits of departed loved ones returning for the Day of the Dead.

  • Waiting for the ride to begin.
  • On the bike path to Tule.
  • In the open country.
  • Taking a bladder break.
  • A great day to ride!
  • The steepest climb
    of the day.
  • A profusion of yellow flowers
    along the way.
  • In San Juan Teitipac.
  • A grave adorned with flowers.
  • Another ancestor remembered.
  • Two locals in Day of the Dead make-up.

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.