I’m from the cradle of modern mountain biking; Marin County, California. In fact, it has become so popular in Marin over the past 30+ years, traffic jams have ensued at trail heads and battles between hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers over safety and environmental issues frequently make the headlines of local papers.
With this recent article in the Wall Street Journal, it looks like mountain biking has “officially” come to Oaxaca. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the wise Zapotec elders up in Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte will find a way to keep the peace. And, more than that, I’m hoping all you mountain bikers out there will be respectful of this beautiful land and her people.
From Friday, April 13, 2012 online Wall Street Journal…
Mountain biking is rare in Oaxaca—but not for long
Mountain biking on the Tequila Trail near Oaxaca, Mexico – Trevor Clark
IT WAS EARLY. Hours from sunrise kind of early. My wimpy headlamp struggled to break through the predawn drizzle, and I could barely see my front tire or the trail ahead. Roots, rocks and stumps all seemed to be in cahoots, working together to upend me.
WHEEL WORLD | Riding out of the village of Benito Juárez in Oaxaca – Trevor Clark
I tried to become one with the bike. I tried to feel out the trail with my other senses. I tried to anticipate obstacles, but I am no Zen master. My mountain biking skills are rough under the best conditions, and I was in the jungle in the dark.
My mate’s more powerful headlamp suddenly provided a snapshot of a sharp turn and a wooden footbridge ahead. Then, lights out. I made an educated guess, went straight and took a hit that emptied my lungs: “Huhhhhh!” Cold water rushed into my clothes and pack as I lay in the stream, bike still on my feet, straight up in the air.
For a few moments, I laughed hysterically at my predicament and the fact that I was OK after missing the bridge. Then I picked myself up and kept moving.
We made it to the peak of Piedra Larga, a 10,761-foot-high lookout, for breakfast, corn-based hot chocolate and sunrise. As the sun slowly emerged from a thick layer of fog, we found ourselves hovering above a golden sea of clouds. The scenery was worth every blind pedal stroke.
HIGH ROAD | Taking in the view from a rock spire in the Sierra Norte – Trevor Clark
Seven of us had come to the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico, a forested mountain range in the northern part of the state. Oaxaca is known as the country’s culinary and cultural center, and many visitors experience it through cooking classes and gallery walks in the capital city. We, instead, were mountain-biking part of an ancient Zapotec network of walking trails that have connected eight villages to each other and the rest of the world for eons.
Mountain biking is fairly new to Mexico…. [Read FULL ARTICLE]
Read Full Post »
![[mexbike]](https://i0.wp.com/si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OD-AQ543A_mexbi_G_20120412220756.jpg)
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 