Another Sunday, another perfect day in paradise! Blue skies and a forecast high temperature of 78º F / 25.5ºC just a few days before Christmas — what more could a cyclist wish for from Santa? Eight members of our riding club assembled at 9 am for today’s moderate excursion into the rolling hill country west of Monte Alban — certainly one of our favorite areas. Using a combination of paved and dirt roads, the gang pedaled a total distance of 30.8 miles (49.6 kms), gaining and losing 1317 feet (401 meters) in elevation in the course of the day. One of our number was a recent arrival in Oaxaca and going for his first bike ride in many years. He acquitted himself well in this introduction to mountain biking in the Valles Centrales of Oaxaca.
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La Cumbre Downhill Bike Trails
by Larry • • 1 Comment
Over the past three years or so the folks who manage the La Cumbre Ixtepeji ecotourism camp have done an incredible job building a great network of new downhill trails which are now attracting lots of enduro enthusiasts. On today’s outing three riders from Oaxaca sampled five of these luscious offerings. The trails ridden, in order, were Tierra Negra, Hawaiana, Linces, Raices and El Cerezo. For the most part these trails have great flow, along with a good many challenges like rock gardens, drops and some ramps. The notable exception is the Linces trail, which is being heavily modified to offer a large number of serious ramps, gaps and tables for those bikers who like to spend a lot of time airborne.
Tierra Negra – 2.0 miles / 3.2 kms length 970 feet / 295 meters descent Swoopy and fun with some moderate jumps
Hawaiana – 1.6 miles / 2.6 kms length 896 feet / 273 meters descent Great fun and the most user-friendly run
Linces – 2.0 miles / 3.2 kms length 1119 feet / 341 meters descent Was originally a fast and smooth track through the forest, but is being heavily modified with lots of ramps, jumps, table-tops and berms
Raices – 1.43 miles / 2.3 kms length 804 feet / 245 meters descent As the name implies, this trail has more than its fair share of exposed tree roots, often on a steeply off-camber slope. Use extra caution when the trail is wet or muddy.
El Cerezo – 3.45 miles / 5.55 kms length 1730 feet / 527 meters descent
One of the longest trails in the network, El Cerezo is a popular last-run-of-the day ride for bikers spending the day shuttling back up the mountain after each downhill run. El Cerezo begins just across the road from the Cabeza de Vaca trail, providing a continuous run for those who start heading down on Raices and then switching to Cabeza de Vaca. El Cerezo concludes in the small town of El Punto on Highway 175.
Ready to hit the trail. 
New trail signs at La Cumbre. 
Heading for a six-foot drop. 
Air time! 
Lots of bikers at La Cumbre. 
Biking buddies. 
Another jump. 
Talking about the trails. 
Deep in the woods.
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Ride to San Jose el Mogote
by Larry • • 0 Comments
News reports from around the world tell of a surge in the number of people riding bikes as a way of combating the coronavirus blues. Here in Oaxaca several recent arrivals among this season’s snowbirds either brought bicycles with them or purchased used bikes when they got here. These newbie riders were eager to explore the Valles Centrales on their bikes, so we organized an easy Sunday ride going from Oaxaca to the archeological ruins of San Jose el Mogote. This 24 mile (38 km) round trip followed the old railroad line that once linked Mexico City to the sourthern coast of Oaxaca state. A group of thirteen riders took part in the day’s outing, which proved to be a pleasant experience for all involved.
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“What? We cannot ride with you?” -
Starting the day’s ride. -
Following the old RR right-of-way. -
A pause for everyone to catch up. -
Pedaling through the countryside. -
Nice mountain backdrop. -
We have the trail to ourselves. -
At the temple mound in Mogote. -
Nice view of the countryside
from atop the temple mound. -
Getting ready for the return ride. -
On the main street in Mogote. -
Sharing water. -
Fixing a flat is a group effort. -
Passing under the highway to Mexico. -
Nearing the end of the trail. -
Back on city streets.
Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos, Uncategorized
Another Sunday in the Saddle
by Larry • • 0 Comments
It is late November but the weather in Oaxaca continues to be ideal for mountain biking. Blue skies and mild temperatures are a strong lure to get riders out into the countryside for another Sunday ride. As is often the case, the rolling hill country of the Etla valley beckons today’s group of riders. From the esplanade in front of Santo Domingo the band pedaled to the Plaza Bella shopping center, then up the hill towards Monte Alban before cutting off on a side road leading down to Arrazola. From there various dirt lanes led through farm fields, across ridgelines and down along streams — all open country basking in the sunshine. Eventually the route took riders into Cuilapam, where they stopped for icy drinks at a stand set up near the ruins of the never-completed monastery. From that point it was an easy run back into Oaxaca on pavement. The day’s outing covered 25.0 miles (40.0 kms), with riders gaining and losing 2354 feet (717meters) of elevation on the circuit. The high point in the hills northwest of Cuilapam was 5807 feet (1770 meters). Riders spent about four hours in the saddle.
Tinkering with the rear derailleur before the ride. 
Because of the pandemic there are few tourists on the pedestrian mall. 
Not much vehicular traffic on Sunday, either. 
The long climb up towards Monte Alban. 
A sparkling clear day. 
Caution! Lots of loose rubble on the downhill. 
Crossing a spring-fed stream. 
Through the rolling hills. 
One last climb. 
A fast downhill to Cuilapam. 
Stopping for colorful agua frescas. 
Riding the highway from Cuilapam to Oaxaca.
GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Uncategorized
Mil Rios Trail – Access thru Teotitlan & Benito Juárez
by Larry • • 0 Comments
The Mil Rios ride is a true classic. The Mil Rios trail can be ridden in and of itself, using a shuttle to reach the trailhead not far from the village of La Neveria. It can also be tackled as part of a long and demanding loop ride passing through Teotitlan del Valle and Benito Juárez to get to the trailhead – as shown in the map below. Riders will struggle to climb 4778 feet (1456 meters), but get to cruise down 4586 feet (1398 meters) on the way home. Caution: the Mil Rios trail is steep and rocky in many places, so good bike handling skills are necessary.