Para mi (for me) there is nothing more joyful than spending a day on the bike exploring the backroads of a new country. I rented a trusty steed, a turquoise Orbea mountain bike – it had my name on it, and headed out of the city to el campo (the countryside) to fend off the political and coronavirus blues.

Starting on the ciclovia, a gritty multi-use trail that runs down the center of a meridian on a busy four lane road, we rode out of the city and into the countryside to our first destination, Santa Maria el Tule. El Tule is home to the largest tree in the world and surrounded by a lovely church, gardens and community park.

From El Tule we head uphill to the Copilla (chapel) Virgen de Juquila and the trailhead to las peidras (the rocks). 

Traversing east on dirt roads we meandered through fertile agricultural areas, small farms and numerous pueblos.  

RESPECTO, actuar sin perjudicar a los dema’s (Respect – act without harming others). This sign in the pueblo, Rojas de Cuauhtemoc, is reflective of the social and cultural norms of the local people who reside in the small pueblos and countryside.

A church and central square or park grace each pueblo along with small tiendas, fruit and vegetable stands, carnicerias, auto/equipment repair shops, food carts, and an assortment of vintage VW buses and beetles.

Forks in the road lead to choosing the least traveled path, new sights and discoveries. 

Celebrating a pleasurable ride, we relaxed with of course, a corona and chili rellenos, before heading back to Oaxaca.

Si, que era un buen dia en la bicicleta (Yes, it was a good day on the bike).