Countryside, MTBing, Photos, Ride Routes

San Felipe del Agua to Ocotlan

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If you want to stretch your legs, put in a good number of miles and enjoy some fine arts and crafts along the way, this ride from Oaxaca to Ocotlan may suit your fancy. You will rack up nearly 64 miles in the saddle if you follow this route, which takes the long (i.e. scenic) way to Octolan via back roads in the Tlacolula Valley to avoid traffic on the main highway going south out of town. Though the mileage is significant, most of the route is relatively flat — honest! However you get to Ocotlan, you will have to cross the ridge that separates the Tlocolula Valley from the Zimatlan Valley (on some maps called the Grande Valley) to the south.

In Ocotlan you will want to stop at the Rodolpho Morales museum and visit the workshop of the famous Aquilar sisters. Either going to or coming from Ocotlan, you will pass right by the village of San Tomas Jalieza, where women use back-strap looms to weave apparel items, and San Martín Tilcajete, world-famous for the fanciful wood carvings called “alebrijes.” With stops to look at art and to have lunch, this will be an all-day excursion. Take your time and enjoy it! Your legs and rear end will appreciate getting some time off the bike.

MTBing, Racing

Changes to 2013 Mountain Bike Race Schedule

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Heavy rains in recent weeks (September 2013) have necessitated some changes in the schedule of mountain bike races around Oaxaca. The dates of some races have been changed, the marathon race from Rancho el Jabalin to Huatulco has been cancelled, and some new races have been added to the calendar. Here is a list of of the final events of the season.

15 Sep – Cross Country Race  /  El Tule  –  Moved from 8 Sep to 15 Sep

22 Sep – Cross Country Race  /  Tlalixtac  –  Moved from 29 Sep to 22 Sep

13 Oct – Cross Country Marathon  /  Ixtlahuaca-San Cristobal-Cienequilla  –  New

20 Oct – Cross Country Invitational  /  Cuilapam  –  New

27 Oct – Cross Country Invitational  /  Jalapa del Valle  –  New

15-17 Nov – Cross Country Marathon  /  Oaxaca to Huatulco  –  Cancelled

24 Nov – Cross Country Marathon  /  Oaxaca to Santa Catarina Ixtepeji  –  Moved to new date

1 Dec – Cross Country Marathon  /  Cuilapam  –  New

Uncategorized

Summer Hiatus

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Both Deron and Larry, the gurus who run this site, are back at their Colorado homes for the summer. But don’t worry, they will be back in Oaxaca! So, while this site may be dormant for a while in terms of new trails and rides listed, it is not dead! There are still rides and trails to be discovered and reported here. Look for additional posts to start appearing again in the fall of 2013.

Countryside, GPS, MTBing, Photos

Mitla

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The ride east from Oaxaca city to Mitla through the Tlacolula valley is an archeologist’s dream. The Zapotec palace ruins in Mitla are second in importance only to Monte Alban, and include some of the finest and most complete palaces found anywhere in Mesoamerica. And on the way to Mitla the rider may well want to stop to investigate the ruins at Dainzu, Lambityeco and Yagul — all well worth a visit, and just minutes off the route. Since this ride is lengthy, be sure to allot plenty of time – like the whole day! – to enjoy both the countryside and the archeological sites.

The route shown on the map below begins and ends in the Zocalo in central Oaxaca. It requires pedaling 60.7 miles (97.7 km) along a dedicated bike path, secondary dirt roads, some bushwhacking on singletrack, and a limited amount of riding on the shoulder of the principal highway. The route is remarkably flat, entailing an elevation gain/loss of just 1780 feet (542.5 meters) along the way.  The Zocalo sits at an elevation of 5124 feet (1562 meters), while the main palace complex in Mitla is the high point, registering 5594 feet (1705 meters) above sea level.

Be sure to use sunscreen and carry plenty of water. There are numerous places enroute to stop for snacks, lunch, a cold drink, some ice cream or a snowcone.  Invite some friends to ride along, make a day of it and have an enjoyable time!

GPS, Mountains, MTBing, Photos

San Felipe Tejalapam to Santa Maria Peñoles

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If you are looking for a ride that will take you seriously out of the Oaxaca valley to a place where most of the inhabitants speak Mixteca, you might like this trek. The ride is entirely on a newly paved (in 2023) AMLO road that climbs steadily from San Felipe Tejalapam, going in a westerly direction up and over a ridge (high point 8027 feet at Recibimiento) and then dropping down to Santa Maria Peñoles. You are likely to encounter an equal number of pedestrians and vehicles along the way – which is to say, not many.

The total round trip distance is 31.0 miles (50.0 km), with an elevation gain and loss of 4335 feet (1321 meters). The highest point along the way is 8027 feet (2447 meters). It is a consistent uphill grind from San Felipe to where the road crosses over the ridgetop; then its downhill all the way to Santa Maria.

If you begin and end the ride at the Zocalo in Oaxaca city, the round trip distance jumps to 57.0 miles (91.7 km). Add another 7.0 miles (11.3 km) if your starting point is San Felipe del Agua.

The newly paved road to Peñoles winds up the mountainside going west from the Valley of Oaxaca.
The unrelenting climb goes for eight miles to Recibimiento – easy pedaling on an ebike.
A welcome sign, indeed, after climbing over 2400 feet (732 meters).