Category: Photos

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Foothills, GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

Suchilquitongo – Parts Two & Three

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There are miles of backcountry roads and a snaggle of single track trails in the hills north and west of Santiago Suchilquitongo that are a lure to mountain bikers looking to explore new territory. This post recounts two similar but distinct rides.

RIDE ONE: To scratch the itch of adventure, two cyclists set out from Oaxaca to shuttle their bikes 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) to Suchilquitoingo one morning, intent on discovering what that region has to offer. This being an exploratory trip and a first-time visit, the day’s route rested on a roll of the dice as to which direction to ride. First up was a trek up the hill just west of the cuota to Mexico City past the Technologico Nacional de Mexico. What started as a promising ride on an unpaved country lane soon devolved into a jeep road and then a narrow, ill-defined single track which climbed up to a ridge overlooking the valley spread below. Near the top the trail became so faint and steep the riders deemed it best to turn around and retrace their path. Back in the valley, the cyclists had better luck following a freshly-graded road winding westward past two reservoirs, with the road climbing steadily upward for a number of miles. After pedaling for two hours, the pair decided to head back, calling the day’s excursion a success. The stats for the day are: 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) ridden, with an elevation gain and loss of 596 meters (1956 feet). See first map, below.

RIDE TWO: Intrigued by the road which seemed to wind ever higher and deeper into the nearby mountains, cyclists returned a second time to explore the area further. Turns out this old road is a winner! The lower portion is mainly sundrenched, but the upper sections offer good forest shade. The first five miles provide moderate climbs and descents as the track weaves through the woods. The next 1.3 miles are steeper, with grades of 8 to 15 percent. The final seven-tenths of a mile climb is a challenge, with lots of loose sand and a gradient of up to 20% in places. An ebike is a real asset and is definitely in its element here! The ride stats are: distance 21.7 km (13.5 miles) / elevation gain & loss 781 meters (2563 feet) / ride time of 2.5 hours on ebikes. See second map, below.

Scampering up a trail in the hills near Huitzo.
A spectacular view of the countryside.
The first of two reservoirs on today’s outing.
The same reservoir seen from further up the mountain.
The long, winding road up into the mountains.
Lots of zigging and zagging along the way.
Deep in the forest and high on the hill.

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Climbing The Wall – Part II

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This post is a companion to the earlier entry of 10 October describing the brutal climb to the top of the ridge just west of Jalapa del Valle. There is a newly-paved road winding up the long, steep mountainside leading to Santiago Tlazoyaltepec. Getting to the top is a real challenge, even for riders with strong legs and powerful lungs. Two adventurous cyclists did the climb of 1087.5 meters (3568 feet) over 28.3 kilometers (17.6 miles) in 3 hours, 20 minutes, having first used a shuttle to get from Oaxaca to Jalapa del Valle. Jalapa sits at an elevation of 1721 meters (5645 feet), while the road hits a high point of 2808 meters (9213 feet). The brake-burning descent, by comparison, took just 28 minutes, after which the riders enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at the rustic but competent Comedor Campestre in the center of Jalapa. (Suggestion: try the wonderful shrimp platter for just 150 pesos.)

The new pavement on the road to Tlazayotepec gives a smooth ride but is still a formidable climb.
A memorial marker along the way.
Was Noe, perhaps, a cyclist who succumbed on the long haul up the mountain?
The turnoff to El Portezuelo, a tiny village near the top of the mountain.
A pet parrot enlivens lunch at the rustic comedor in Jalapa del Valle.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Fiesta de Carrizo in Santa Cruz Papalutla

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The rural village of Santa Cruz Papalutla, situated near the center of the Tlacolula Valley, often sees mountain bikers pass through but rarely stop there. Today was an exception, as the townspeople held a festival celebrating the weaving of hats, baskets and other items from straw and carrizo (a form of bamboo which looks like sugar cane). The main street was cordoned off and covered with tents, beneath which artisans displayed their wares and ladies served fresh-made local foods. The eight cyclists on today’s ride stopped there for a tasty brunch before pedaling on to San Juan Teitipac and then circling back to Oaxaca city. The map below shows the route followed, which entailed pedaling 59.5 kilometers (37.0 miles) with an elevation gain and loss of 303.6 meters (996 feet) on the circuit.

Rendezvous at Santo Doming for the weekly Sunday ride.
On the bike path to Santa Maria el Tule.
Arrived at Papalutla for the Fiesta de Carrizo.
Andrew trades his old bike helmet for a woven one.
Local women serving up delicious treats.
Continuing the ride.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Suchilquitongo – Part One

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Where to ride next? That question looms large for those who have ridden the roads and trails around Oaxaca for many years. While there are any number of terrific rides to be had in the Valles Centrales, folks gets weary of repeating the same route over and over. One longs for the excitement and sense of adventure associated with exploring new territory. So on this Tuesday excursion a small group of friends set out for the archeological ruins atop a hill just outside the town of Suchilquitongo, which is located near Huitzo at the northwestern limit of the Valley of Oaxaca. The weather was perfect (as usual) for this fall outing in early October. Four riders set out with no set route, preferring to explore various byways leading in the direction of Huitzo. This resulted in a number of false turns and some backtracking along the way, but that only added to the sense of adventure. Eventually the group did reach Suchilquitongo and located the archeological site, which was comprised of the remains of a plaza, a ball court, and three temple mounts – all with a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. Not wanting to simply retrace their outbound route, the gang continued to wander about in search of a new way back to Oaxaca. All told, the ride covered 80.6 kilometers (50.2 miles), with an elevation gain and loss of 536.8 meters (1761 feet) on the circuit.

Pedaling hard to climb the hill to the archeological site.
Almost to the top.
The stunning view from atop the Zapotec ruins at Suchilquitongo.
A temple platform scrapes the sky.

Countryside, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized

Back To Jalapa del Valle

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Sunday, 8 October 2023, dawned bright and crisp, holding the promise of being a great day for a mountain bike ride. Six of the usual suspects showed up at the plaza in front of Santo Domingo church at 8 am to begin a 70.8 kilometer (44 mile) round trip excursion to Jalapa del Valle. There are four different routes to choose from to accomplish this ride, ranging from easy to very difficult. Today’s riders chose the easy way, which is a few miles longer but avoids any serious hill climbs. Pedaling at a leisurely pace, the gang reached their destination at the three-hour mark and settled in for a nice brunch at the Rio Jalapilla restaurant a few miles upvalley from Jalapa. There were no surprises – either good or bad – to mark the day’s outing. All in all, a very pleasant trip!

Manuel was the instigator and leader for today’s ride in the country.
Very little vehicular traffic on Oaxaca streets on a Sunday morning.
Out in the countryside for most of today’s excursion.
A woman selling flowers and fruit at a rural intersection.
Pedaling merrily along.
We encountered dozens of other mountain bikers riding in the hills on this bright Sunday morning.
Our very own cookie monsters.
The valley of the Jalapilla River is lined with farm fields.
On the bridge over the stream leading to a country restaurant.
Cranking up one of many moderate inclines.