Category: Photos

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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.

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

Jalapa del Valle Ride

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This is a fun, scenic and somewhat demanding ride from the Zocalo in downtown Oaxaca city through rolling countryside to the village of Jalapa del Valle and back.   It is essentially and out-and-back ride with a loop at the far end. All of the ride is accomplished on paved city streets, paved two-lane highway or dirt country roads. (Sorry, no singletrack!).

We started from the Zocalo in El Centro and concluded the ride by returning our rental bikes to the Zona Bici shop (Calle Garcia Vigil 406-1, just a couple of blocks north of the Zocalo). The distance covered is 27.5 miles (44.25 km), with an elevation gain of 2686 feet and a loss of 2566 feet (+ 818 / – 782 meters). I would rate this ride as moderately difficult, given its length and the steep grade of some of the hills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Outing, Photos, Ride Routes

Latuvi / Benito Juarez / La Neveria Loop Ride

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This is a lovely loop ride between three communities in the Pueblos Mancomunados, mostly on dirt roads but with some rough singletrack on steep hillsides in the forest mid-way between La Neveria & Latuvi. Most of the ride is at elevations between 9,000 and 9,500 ft (2745 – 2895 meters). The total distance is 19.6 miles (31.5 km). There is 3663 feet (1116.5 meters) of climbing along the way — but that includes a visit to the scenic overlook (“mirador”) above Benito Juarez (which is well worth the stop, by the way).

It took our group nearly six hours to complete the ride, but that was because we had some slow riders, stopped at the Mirador, and then had dinner in Benito Juarez. Experienced riders can probably knock out the loop in about half that time. Incidentally, we started and finished the loop in Latuvi because that put the biggest climb at the beginning of the ride. However, most people would likely prefer to begin at Benito Juarez, the town closest to Oaxaca city. We rode the loop clockwise, and think that is the best way; but it can also be done in the opposite direction.

Visitors to the Pueblos Mancomunados should be aware that the temperature in the high country is usually about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (6.6 degrees Celsius) cooler than in Oaxaca, and that morning fog and drizzle are commonplace, even in the dry season. For that reason, a light jacket and/or rain gear is recommended. Also, native guides are available to take visitors between villages on either hiking or biking trails, and may be hired for about 200 pesos for the day.

 

 

GPS, MTBing, Outing, Photos

Outing – 2012-10-28 Ride (aka Quality is job #1…NOT!)

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We were headed to Mitla. I.e. a simple day of rolling country roads on a standard-issue beautiful Oaxaca day. Sadly, after one destroyed pedal+crank, a flat tire, a floppy seat, and a disentegrating rear sprocket we decided it was time to airlift out. Half the crew turned around and rode home, the other half took their collection of “bikes” to the highway and caught a collectivo home. The track is the full bike route. Most of the photos are from the Dainzu ruins. Very cool.