I enjoyed a lovely half-day ride yesterday, to the presas (reservoirs) that lie beyond Tlalixtac. It’s one of my favourite routes, in part because the city exit is relatively mellow (bar the chicane of unruly street dogs for Huesos to negotiate). It also passes by a number of friendly hamlets where waves and fresh fruit are guaranteed. Then a rough and stony dirt road flanks the mountains, crossing into Tomaltepec’s community land.
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At the weekends there’s a small fee to pay to access the presas, which goes straight to the community. We picnicked on the shore and Huesos seemed especially happy to feel grass under his paws, zoomies-ing around in concentric circles chasing imaginary friends; he had his crazy face on as he rolled around with joyful abandon, which I always love to see. Then we all poked around the riverbed (sadly dry right now, due to the lack of rain), before retracing our steps back home again, via a round of mushroom-loaded gorditas and memelas, cooked over a comal at a corner side stand. We washed them down with a little-too-sweet agua de jamaicas.
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I went with the Jones HD/e and pulled the Farfarer. I ride or run daily, so it’s fun mix it up; muscle-bike one day, e-assist another, and even plain old legs (occasionally). On a day trip like this, the e-bike makes cruising alongside an unladen rider way more enjoyable, given that I’m hauling a 5kg trailer and 18kg of Huesos behind me. I keep it on Level 2 most of the time, sometimes 3, very occasionally 4! The ride was 45km with 700m of climbing, and I used about 35 per cent of the battery, feeling pleasantly tired when I got back. I mostly appreciate the e-assist for getting in and out of the city, a mental a barrier that often dissuades me from heading out into the countryside during the week.
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@chrome.alone rode one of his vintage chromoly delights, a 90s Haro with elevated chainstays, U-brake bosses, and a chrome platted fork. I think the thumb shifters, bought locally, were less than $5 for the pair, which just goes to show how financially inclusive these robust old bikes can be. They’re about perfect for Oaxacan countryside explorations, too.
This is another shameless IG transcript. But at least you get a RWGPS file too…
