In the minds of some visionaries, Oaxaca has the potential to become the kind of mountain biking Mecca that Moab is in Utah or Fruita is in Colorado. Mother Nature has provided the terrain and the climate. There are already networks of dirt roads and single track trails running throughout the Valles Centrales and the neighboring mountains. Many of the highland villages already promote mountain biking as part of their ecotourism initiative. A consortium of government agencies, local communities and private landholders could partner with mountain biking enthusiasts to establish and promote the improvement of existing trails and the construction of new, well designed and eco-friendly trails that could be a boon to the regional economy. Will this happen? Who knows? But some first steps have been taken. Carl Silverberg has been working with park managers in San Pablo Etla to create a number of new trails there. And the sponsors of www.OaxacaMTB.org have been busy mapping trails, getting volunteers to do trail maintenance, and promoting the sport among gringos and natives alike. Meanwhile, Pedro Martinez (www.bicicletaspedromartinez.com) specializes in providing guided tours to groups of mountain bikers.
Whether new, bike-specific trails are constructed or not, the present system of trails provides a good opportunity for hikers to explore the hills just outside of town. On our “Hoofing It In Oaxaca” outing, we’ll wander as far and as high as the group desires.
Time frame: 8:30 depart Llano Park / 9:00 start hike on Libramiento Norte / 11:00 reach turnaround point & lunch / 1:00 finish hike & catch buses back to Oaxaca / 1:30 return Oaxaca.
