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

Huayapam Ride

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Huayapam is a small residential community nestled against the mountains a short distance from Oaxaca city. It is home to a number of resident expatriots from the U.S. and Canada. There are footpaths linking it with San Luis Beltran and San Felipe del Agua, two other villages that sit on the flanks of the mountains to the north of Oaxaca. These paths and other trails that lead into the hills are popular with the local mountain bikers.

The ride illustrated here covers 11.7 miles (18.8 km) and has an elevation gain of 2036 feet (620 meters). A good portion of that climb is connected with riding what we call the “road to nowhere,” an old logging road that runs up one side of a valley and down the other. You can avoid the climb and shorten the ride by skipping this part of the ride, if you like. There is also one creek crossing that requires dismounting to enter and exit an arroyo where it is a challenge to carry your bike down and up the steep side slopes. Otherwise, the outing is a blast!

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

Monte Alban

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Monte Alban is the crown jewel among the archeological treasures of Oaxaca. Situated on a hilltop 1312 feet above the valley floor, the massive plaza with the imposing platforms that once held numerous temples and palaces is an impressive sight. Since it is quite close to the city of Oaxaca, it is easily accessible by bicycle.

The route traced on the map below runs for 11.3 miles (18.2 km) and shows an elevation gain of 1463 feet (446 meters). It is accomplished on paved roads all the way, so be cautious of vehicular traffic. The ride is rated “Moderate” because of the steepness of the climb. If you are a traveler from a low elevation, you will feel the strain of climbing at this altitude.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos, Ride Routes

Loop Ride: San Felipe / San Bartolo Coyotepec / Zaachila / Cuilapam / San Felipe

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This is a great loop ride through open countryside with very little elevation change. San Bartolo Coyotepec is the village famous for shiny black, intricately incised pottery. There is a very good public gallery there featuring work from regional artisans who are expert craftsman working in ceramic, wood, metal, paint and other mediums. Zaachila is a very ancient, yet thriving community. The Zapotec ruins in the center of town are worth a visit, as is the weekly market on Thursdays. Cuilapam is historically one of the Mixtec villages on the outskirts of Oaxaca city, and features ruins of a never-finished Dominican convent.

The route takes you on city streets through Oaxaca, then along a principal highway to San Bartolo, where you jog to the west on a little-used but well-paved road to Zaachila. From Zaachila you can either follow the track shown below, which meanders on footpaths and backcountry dirt roads, or opt for the (shorter)  paved highway to Cuilapam. The final segment from Cuilapam back to Oaxaca is along a busy stretch of road. It is best to do this ride on a Sunday, when traffic is just a fraction of what it is other days of the week.

I neglected to turn on my GPS unit until I was in downtown Oaxaca, so the elevation plot below is missing the initial 375 foot descent from San Felipe into town — not a problem if you begin and end your ride at the Zocalo.

The entire loop covers about 32 miles (51.5 km), and there is an elevation loss & gain of about 1425 feet (434 meters) along the way. If you elect to do this ride, but use the Zocalo instead of San Felipe as the start / end point, the distance will be 7 miles shorter and the elevation gain / loss will be 750 feet less.


 

GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos

Es tu nombre Raphael?

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I went out yesterday to re-examine the trail I found Sunday. It runs pretty much with the contour line between Trail M (Mechero / Burner) and Trail Ma (Martillada / Hammerblow) but I wanted to make sure my initial glee of discovery hadn’t cloud my assessment of the ridability of it. This trail Larry had told me about months ago when he rode it with Dr. Z. Yet, we could never seem to locate it. In fact, I’m still not sure this thing is the same one Larry and Dr. Z rode together months ago.

But, while out on my re-examination ride on Tuesday, I was fortunate to run into another rider I had met once before on the trail. If I have his name right and am spelling it correctly, his name is Rafael. Here is the only picture I have of him.

Mr. SecretSingletrack

Mr. SecretSingletrack

With our limited grasp of each other’s native languages (his grasp better than mine), we did our best to talk biking and trails. In that “conversation” Rafael said he could show me a trail up ahead coming off of Trail HFR, where we had crossed paths. I gladly agreed. My reward was the tightest, twistiest, most narrow, most vegetated yet rideable trail I’ve found here to date.

MUCHO MUCHO MUCHO GRACIAS, Rafael! It was a total blast and I can’t wait to do it again. Hopefully, once again chasing Rafael, as he is a fast rider who seems to share my taste for tight, twisty singletrack downhills.

Here is a map of the new (to me) trail Raphael showed me. I’m hoping to see him again and get the proper name of the trail. For now, its temporary name is Trail_CodeName-Rafael. On the map, it’s the red track. I’ve also include Trails HFR, M, and T to give perspective on where Rafael took me out in the woods to watch me fall on my head (only once, mind you!).

Oh, and since the multi tracks throw off the elevation profile, note that it’s about 1.1km long with an elevation drop of 183m. Tasty!

[ edited 2012-11-17 @ 00:05 to correct incorrect spelling of Rafael ]

GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos, Ride Routes

Santo Domingo Tomaltepec – Krotalus Bike Shop Ride

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This ride goes from the Krotalus Bike Shop in Oaxaca city (Calle Sabinos 309-B in Colonia Reforma / www.krotalusmtb.com.mx) through Tule and Santo Domingo Tomaltepec, then upvalley past two reservoirs and into bush country. Once past the lakes, the trail repeatedly crosses a stream (seven times going in; same coming out), making for a splashing good time – especially fun in hot weather! Caution: There is a large difference in the depth, width and speed of the water in the stream between the dry and the rainy season! Where the water may be only a couple of inches deep in the winter months (or the creek completely dry), it may be a foot deep in the summertime if rain has been plentiful.

The ride covers 23.5 miles (37.8 km), with an elevation gain & loss of about 1000 feet (378 meters). Though a relatively long ride, there are no steep grades to climb, just a steady, mild uphill to the end of the trail.