Monthly Archives: September 2015

A three day coastal mountain ride to Salina Cruz

Tuesday September 29, 2015, 164 miles (264 km) – Total so far: 11,664 miles (18,771 km)

Three days 164 miles We took a break day Saturday and were at the Mexican Pipeline beach called Zicatela early to rent a longboard. After looking at the large and fast breaking Zicatela and talking with the rental shop we decided to take a 15 minute taxi to La Punta which is a smaller and slower left point break. On the right swell Zicatela can be 60 foot faces and break extremely fast on the beach. It is very popular with body boarders, shortboards, and very experienced longboarders. We had over 3 hours of water time sharing the one board. It was fun to be back in the beautiful Mexican water and shed dirt from the road. A salt rinsing does wonders to the soul. We then returned by taxi to Zicatela where we had a simple delicious lunch on the beach. The weather was quickly deteriorating due to Tropical Storm Marty that was headed to our last stop of Acapulco. So we took a taxi back to Jim’s apartment and reached it right when the heavy rain started. Taxis are great around here and anywhere can be reached for 30 pesos (about $1.80). The American dollar is very strong here, in fact the strongest in years. Can’t complain about that.

We rode out of Puerto Escondido Sunday noon after spending the morning eating a delicious omelet thanks to Jim and taking care of some bike business. After 24 miles south we saw advertising for restaurants at Playa Blanco about a kilometer down the road to the west. We cycled by several outside restaurants and chose the last one for a late lunch. These beach restaurants are totally outside under palapas which are open sided dwellings with a thatched roof made of palm fronds. While there we saw an abandoned restaurant next to us and figured that would be a good place to camp since it had a good cover and we had expected more rain from TS Marty. After eating we set up our tent then enjoyed the sea and a few more beers from where we ate. Since there is no power in this area all the businesses closed around 7. We turned in at 7:30 and were quickly asleep while listening to the surf. I woke up and few times and observed high tide came to within 15 feet of us.

The next morning we were up for the sunrise, heated some noodle soup and were on our way off the beach and back to Mex200 road. After climbing through a few mountains we found ourselves at Bahia de Conejos. While riding into town a very kind and excellent English speaking gentleman guided us to a hotel, ATM, and an excellent store where we stocked up on toiletries and dog snacks as we love to feed the many dogs we meet. We also found Jocelyn’s favorite crackers, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, and my favorite Planters Dry roasted peanuts. What a score! We bought a few beers and ordered a pizza delivered to our room. It was another good day.

On Tuesday we continued over the low coastal mountains with the major port city of Salina Cruz on our mind. It turned out to be a very long and hard day through the heat and hills. In fact it was my most difficult day so far in Mexico. The reason why we pushed so hard is that we want to head east to the Gulf of Mexico then continue south through the many Mayan ruins areas. In other words we are leaving the coast and heading inland for a change. This will increase our time in Mexico also. We arrived in Salina Cruz on the Gulf of Tehuantepec very late in the afternoon. We rode around and finally found a hotel in the central district in the dark and right into a parade! We spotted a Burger King nearby and decided to take a break from our typical Mexican fare. It was quite good and tasted just like America’s. Tomorrow we will start east with Belize and the Honduras maybe in our future. That’s what is great about a trip like this as we never know what is going to happen tomorrow!

Zicatela Beach, The Mexican Pipeline because of the size and the way it breaks in shallow water. On the right swell it can be 60 feet.
Zicatela Beach, The Mexican Pipeline because of the size and the way it breaks in shallow water. On the right swell it can be 60 feet.
Lifeguards right in front.
Lifeguards right in front.

P1110144__1280x311_

P1110146__1280x635_

We rented a longboard and took a 15 minute taxi ride to more manageable La Punta Beach.
We rented a longboard and took a 15 minute taxi ride to more manageable La Punta Beach.
A left point break at La Punta. I'm paddling out on the far right.
A left point break at La Punta. I’m paddling out on the far right.
Jocelyn is up.
Jocelyn is up.
We shared the board for three hours.
We shared the board for three hours.

P1110174__1280x585_

P1110175__1280x1087_

When we returned to our warmshowers host Jim's apartment Tropical Storm Marty started dumping heavy rain.
When we returned to our warmshowers host Jim’s apartment Tropical Storm Marty started dumping heavy rain.
Puerto Escondido. What a fun and interesting stop.
Puerto Escondido. What a fun and interesting stop.
Thanks Jim. His apartment is on top surrounded by exotic birds.
Thanks Jim. His apartment is on top surrounded by exotic birds.
Riding out of town we saw this. There were lots of people building a sidewalk and the Bomberos (fire department) was there for some reason.
Riding out of town we saw this. There were lots of people building a sidewalk and the Bomberos (fire department) was there for some reason.
A mid afternoon beer break.
A mid afternoon beer break.
This advertising got us in! 13 pesos is about $.78.
This advertising got us in! 13 pesos is about $.78.
A very fine camp site on the beach.
A very fine camp site on the beach.
We ate next door and enjoyed a few more beers before they closed. It was early as there is no electricity here.
We ate next door and enjoyed a few more beers before they closed. It was early as there is no electricity here.
Jocelyn playing hacky sack.
Jocelyn playing hacky sack.
A guy walking the beach selling homemade coconut ice cream.
A guy walking the beach selling homemade coconut ice cream.
It was delicious and $.60 a cone with two scoops.
It was delicious and $.60 a cone with two scoops.
All of the restaurants stash their oysters and other shellfish in the ocean after closing.
All of the restaurants stash their oysters and other shellfish in the ocean after closing.
A beautiful sunrise.
A beautiful sunrise.

P1110224__1280x667_

P1110226__1280x666_

Jocelyn's moring exercise routine.
Jocelyn’s moring exercise routine.
We rode through the tiny village of Florida (our home state). We blinked and missed most of it.
We rode through the tiny village of Florida (our home state). We blinked and missed most of it.
Real grass medians through this town complete with lawnmowers and sprinklers. Anytown U.S.A.
Real grass medians through this town complete with lawnmowers and sprinklers. Anytown U.S.A.
A three day ride through the low coastal hills and mountains. Lots of climbing ups and downs through the winding coast.
A three day ride through the low coastal hills and mountains. Lots of climbing ups and downs through the winding coast.

P1110237__1280x316_

Riding into Salina Cruz.
Riding into Salina Cruz.
A basketball game. We have seem lots of courts throughout Mexico.
A basketball game. We have seem lots of courts throughout Mexico.
Salina Cruz on the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Salina Cruz on the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Untitled