Category: Photos

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Foothills, GPS, Hiking, MTBing, Photos

La Derivadora MTB Park

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Some local maps show a La Derivadora mountain bike park in the rolling hills to the west of the village of Santa Cruz Lachixolana on the far side of the cuota to Mexico City. There is no signage to speak of to designate the park location or point out various trails, so riders are on their own to find their way. The landscape in the area is lovely and the trails are a delight to explore. All the trails can be rated moderate and there are no technical challenges to speak of. Using a GPS to map one’s route is recommended so you can find your way back to your starting point. The ride shown on the map below was accomplished using a shuttle to Lachixolana. The park may also be the destination of a longer bike ride from Oaxaca, which would add about fifty kilometers (thirty-one miles) to the round trip distance.

It is obvious trails in La Derivadora park do not get a lot of use.
Following a faint jeep track in the mountain bike park. Where does it lead?
In places you just make your own trail.
There are miles of hills and valleys with no sign of human habitation.
Another beautiful part of the Valley of Oaxaca.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Diaz Ordaz

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The village of Diaz Ordaz is the gateway to the mountain towns of the Pueblos Mancomunados from the Valley of Oaxaca. It was the destination for a Sunday ride the weekend the community was celebrating the feastday of its patron, Santo Domingo de Guzman. The day dawned bright and clear – a perfect setting for a bike ride. The round trip distance amounted to 84.7 kms (52.6 miles), with a modest elevation gain and loss of 470 meters (1541 feet) along the way. The excursion took 6.5 hours, counting time spent having brunch in Diaz Ordaz.


Manuel and Tomo signal their pleasure in riding on a Sunday morning in Oaxaca.
Our small cluster of three riders encountered a much larger group from the Fridas en Bici club.
Peaks of the Sierra Norte in the background.
Photo op in Diaz Ordaz.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

La Concepción

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It is both a delight and a rare treat to discover a place in the Oaxaca valley never visited before. There have been innumerable rides to Jalapa del Valle in the course of more than a dozen years, using any of four different routes to get there. A wrong turn today, though, led us happily astray – into the hills around the tiny village of La Concepción. This revealed some beautiful scenery and significant hill climbs which made the day’s outing a charming adventure. La Concepción is a farming community with a patchwork of small fields dotting the landscape, most of which are tended by families using oxen to plow the steep terrain where corn is planted by hand. After visiting this charming place we continued on to Jalapa del Valle and than circled back to Oaxaca, covering 59.9 kms (37.2 miles) on the outing, which saw an elevation gain and loss of 726 meters (2382 feet). Skies were heavily overcast all day, with a couple of light rainshowers encountered in the last miles.

A panoramic view of the rolling hills around La Concepción.
Huffing and puffing on the long climb up from the valley floor.
A big smile and victory sign upon reaching the top.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Feria de Barro Rojo

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San Marcos Tlapazola is famous for the red clay pottery the women of the village produce. This enterprise is the main economic engine that keeps the community alive. Once each year the town hosts a feria to highlight the industry. Today’s ride there entailed a 71.5 km (44.4 mile) round trip ride from Oaxaca city to the far reaches of the Tlacolula valley. While most of the ride was on paved and dirt roads through flat countryside, there were some rolling hills and a few sketchy sections near San Marcos to challenge the group. At the feria in the town center ladies set up tables to display their wares; a very talented band provided rousing music; and there were several food stalls selling tasty treats. Weatherwise, it was a perfect day for such an outing, with lightly overcast skies ensuring moderate temperatures throughout the day.

Rolling along through the Tlacolula valley.
Vast fields of agave have supplanted the corn which once dominated local agriculture.
Flat terrain gives way to rolling hills on the approach to San Marcos.
A boundary marker in a farm field.
Today’s route included a short section riding in an arroyo.
Women of San Marcos display their work at the Feria de Barro Rojo.
The covered plaza in front of the municipal building served as bandstand and dance floor.
An example of the elaborate dress which is everyday wear for the ladies of San Marcos.

Foothills, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Southwest Mountain Loop

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Looking for a new off-the-beaten-path route for a challenging mountain bike ride? If you can manage a shuttle, then this scenic loop ride may be just the ticket! Park your vehicle in La Lobera – the destination for many an out & back ride from Oaxaca city – then do the long, demanding 8.7 km (5.4 mile) climb to Santa Ines del Monte, which will take you uphill 580 meters (1904 feet). Stop there to catch your breath, admire the view and perhaps get a drink or a snack before skimming up and (mainly) down a patchwork of dirt roads through a series of small villages scattered in the valley below. Wonderful scenery on the downhill stretch! You can also make the loop ride longer by starting and ending the ride in Zaachila – see second map below – which means you will pedal 50 kilometers (31 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 1169 meters (3836 feet) along the way. Quite a nice workout!

Cycling through Santa Ines del Monte.
Wide angle view of the Valley of Oaxaca,
with Cerro San Felipe at the far left running past Zimatlan on the right.
We are going to ride that road down yonder!