Long term traveling is not for the impatient person. Either that, or it teaches patience. One expired credit card and another about to expire had me laid up in a cozy hostel for two weeks. I was playing the waiting game in Oaxaca.
Several days before arriving in Oaxaca Spontaneous, Sky and I set off from our base in Tlachichuca to Ciudad Serdan to see in the new year. Our failed attempt at climbing Pico de Orizaba left us tired and bruised. We wandered around the streets of Ciudad Serdan looking for the fiesta. Something wasn’t right, there was no fiesta. Most people were in bed by 11pm, even the local bar was all but empty. We all went back to our rooms. I saw in the new year alone in bed.
It took us four days to cycle the 311km to Oaxaca. Camping in farmers fields and stopping for lunch everyday in small restaurants. Sky had another incident with the hard ground and her bruises got bruised and her scratches got scratched. No more crashing and falling Sky. Oh, and my stomach bug that blocked several toilets earlier has all but repaired itself. My energy levels returned somewhat slowly.
There were some big climbs on route which caught us by surprise. My normal route planning would avoid such boring paved roads as the main interstate highway but I felt the call of southern Mexico. I was feeling the call to get to a beach, to feel the strong sunlight on my back. My desire also had me hankering for remote jungles, the sight and sounds of the birds and animals. I have spent more than a year in either deserts or mountains, I needed a change. It was time to make some easy miles and move south.
Settling into Oaxaca
We took several attempts to find a place to stay in Oaxaca. I rarely make a booking for a room when cycling, preferring to just make it up as I go. The Hostal Cielo Rojo was cyclist friendly with a cool courtyard to hang out.
There was the constant stream of changing clientele which kept all things social. It was both a relaxing place to rest and many activities kept me moving. Did I mention the food of Oaxaca? More on that later.
Monte Alban
Several vagabonds from the hostel joined Spontaneous, Sky and myself for a sojourn to the nearby ruins of Monte Alban. The 2500 year old ruins were built by a civilisation known as the Zapotecs. In fact most of the local indigenous people still refer to themselves as the Zapotecs. There was no written language from the peoples of the time so all the stories are little more than educated guesses based on the limited archeological evidence from the area. Of note, I’m currently reading an interesting book on the pre history of Mexico called, Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. Anybody interested in the pre history of Mexico should consider reading it. I’m only 1/3 of the way through. So far it is a great book and very easy to read.
Luche Libre
Lucha Libre is that crazy version of Mexican wrestling. A lot of the wrestlers wear a crazy mask for reasons unknown to me. Wrestling is a bit of a thing in Mexico.
Rumours spread of a match taking place in Oaxaca. It wasn’t long before a group of 6 found our way to the stadium. Firstly we consumed a beer or two then we found ourselves cheering along with the locals. It’s all show, even the referee was involved in some of the rehearsed moved. What a dirty referee. But lots of entertaining fun. Anybody traveling to Mexico should seek out a Lucha Libre at some stage.
The food of Oaxaca
The majority of my time in Oaxaca was spent trying my best to fatten myself up. The food is on another level here. I sampled the best pizza in Mexico at a place called Pizza Rustica. The 70cm pizza was an orgasm for the taste buds. I will throw it out there and say it was possibly the best pizza I’ve ever had! If in Oaxaca, give it a try.
Mole is a big thing in Oaxaca. It’s a thick sauce that is drizzled on meals. Mole Negro and Mole Coloradito are the most well known. The later is my favourite, kinda like a mild Asian curry flavour, without the curry. It reminded me a little of home. I miss the food from my hometown so much right now. The amazing fusion of Asian / Australian food. Mentioning missing home, I am really craving a meat pie and an ice coffee right now, or a Laksa, yes, definitely a Laksa. Only people from Darwin, Australia will feel my pain.
There is also the meat market. Meat is ordered by the 1/4 kilogram and served with tortillas and a choice of sides. The perfect protein overload for the weary cyclist. I liked it so much I ate there several times.
A time to relax and plan
My extended break in Oaxaca had me tinkering with my bicycle. It’s been a long time since I did anything other than oil the chain. My bike has been so reliable but it is craving some much needed care. While chilling in Oaxaca I made a long list of parts that need to be replaced. I’ll order all the parts while I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail, which will be happening real soon. Only a couple more months of cycling to go, I hope my bicycle holds together.
Before leaving Oaxaca I organised an old wallet and filled it with my expired credit card and a small amount of cash. Should I ever find myself being robbed on a remote dirt road somewhere I can throw the wallet at the perpetrator and ride away, or run, or fight back depending on the situation. By the time they find out they didn’t get anything useful, hopefully, I’m gone. It’s a tip many long term cyclists use. Of course, many cyclists carry a machete and others carry their ‘Bear Spray’, that they carried in USA and Canada as they cycle south. Mexico is such a safe place I feel little need to be worried.
By the way, my credit cards arrived. I’m off to the beach.
Next : Mexican Beaches – Equals Relaxation
Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking Pages might like:
Bicycle Touring Gear List
Bicycle Touring Spares and Tool Kit
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Where to buy all the best gear for Bicycle Touring and Bikepacking:
REI | Moosejaw |Amazon | Backcountry.com |
Campsaver | Competitive Cyclist | Patagonia | Snowys.com.au | MEC Canada -Bicycle Touring Gear | Wildfiresports.com.au
Great updates on your travels. When do you start the AT?
I haven’t got a start date yet, probably mid April at this stage. I’m trying to coordinate with several hiking buddies to start together. So will see how the timings work out.
Fantastic, thanks for your report, and have a nice continuation of your trip south! Pictures are great :-D
Thanks Anne, I will
Sounds like an amazing place! Glad you are feeling better and that Sky is recovering from her injuries. I was not expecting to see photographs of Mexican wrestlers on an adventure blog, haha! Great pictures, as always.
Yes indeed, wrestling on my blog. But when in Mexico it should be done at least one time.
So glad you’re enjoying Oaxaca. I spent 2 weeks there during my Mexican travels. So much to like
Indeed. And what about the food, nothing else like it!