North American Epic | section 9

Mayan Adventure
The 9th section of our Epic Ride. The riders will spin out of Mexico City, towards the Great Pyramid of Cholula Tlachihualtepetl and UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte Alban. The route takes the cyclists through the Guatemalan highlands, past colorfully dressed locals and imposing volcanoes before dipping down to gorgeous, unforgettable Lake Atitlan

Highlights

  • Mayan ruins
  • Day of the Dead celebrations
  • Oaxaca’s cuisine
  • Lake Atitlan amidst the volcanoes

Details

TypeTour bike
Duration17 days
LevelModerate
SupportGuided
Total distance1007 mi / 1620 km
Group sizeMin.10 max. 45
LodgingHotels
BicycleBring your own
MonthNovember
StartMexico City
FinishAntigua
States or country Mexico, Guatemala
Airport startMexico City International Airport MEX
Airport finishLa Aurora International Airport GUA

Starting from $ 4,650.00

*Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability *

Persons number of persons
Tour date
Itinerary
Bicycle
Lodging
Included / not included
Pricing / Tour dates
Conditions
Information

Itinerary

Mayan Adventures
The riders will spin out of Mexico City, cycling southeast across the plains towards the Great Pyramid of Cholula Tlachihualtepetl. From there they head south through the high Tehuacan Valley, home to over 200 species of cacti, many of them endangered. Throughout the ride, volcanoes line the horizon. Soon the cyclists approach Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most fascinating cities – a vibrant mix of markets, artisans, cuisines and colonial architecture.


After a rest day touring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte Alban, sacred to the indigenous Zapotec peoples, the riders will pedal southeast down off the high plateau, enjoying a 20km downhill stretch just outside San Dionisio Ocotepec and eventually reaching sea level and the coast near the Laguna Superior, part of a system of lagoons running east towards the Guatemalan border.

From the small agricultural town of San Pedro Tapanatepec, the route turns away from the water and begins the steady climb up over the state border and into the green-clad hills of Chiapas. The riders will pedal through the rainforest and past the town of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, famous for its Carnival based on pre-Hispanic local traditions. The final day of this stretch features a beautiful climb up onto the Central Highlands and into the captivating city of San Cristobal de las Casas.

After learning about the famous Zapatista uprising in 1994, the riders will head out towards Guatemala. Once across the border the route takes the cyclists through the Guatemalan highlands, past colourfully dressed locals and imposing volcanoes before dipping down to gorgeous, unforgettable Lake Atitlan and a the end of this beautiful section.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Bicycle

Bring you own bike
For this tour, we recommend a touring bike with 35-40c tires.
Bring your own bike
Make sure you bring a bicycle that is appropriate for your tour, and in excellent working order. If you intend to use your current bicycle, it needs to be fully tuned, cleaned and ready to go. Ideally, get your bike shop to do an overhaul of your entire bike three to four weeks before your departure. Have them inspect, and if necessary replace, the drive train, pedals and bottom bracket for wear.
Choosing a bicycle for long distance touring
This is the most common question we get asked by people contemplating a bicycle tour with us. For any cycle tourist – whether in a group or going solo, and cycling the smooth cycleways of western Europe or thru the rugged back roads of South America – choosing an appropriate bike for the tour is no easy task
Three Basic Types To help you make the right choice, we have broken down your options into the three most suitable options.
1. Mountain Bike with Front Suspension A ‘hard tail mountain bike’ is the most versatile choice for any bike tour. It provides suspension and relative comfort for the off roads, and with a thinner set of tires it provides a decent ride on paved roads. The drawback is that it will be a little slower, a little heavier, and a little less efficient than other bikes on pavement. Having locking front suspension is useful, as you can ‘lock out’ on the smooth roads and engage the suspension on the rougher roads. This bike is the most common choice on tours crossing rugged terrain.
PROS: versatility, durability, and comfort
CONS: less efficient on smooth roads, less mounts for panniers, more complicated parts
2. Cyclocross or Touring Bike Cyclocross bikes are becoming more and more popular among cycle travelers, as they combine the ruggedness of a mountain bike, with the speed and efficiency of a road bike. These are quite similar in style and form to classic touring bikes. While cyclocross/touring bikes do accommodate wider off road tires they do not have suspension, and riders may be seriously challenged on the rougher off-road sections. Touring bikes, moreso than cyclocross bikes will have excellent mounts for racks and extra water bottles. Both these bikes are a good choice for places with better roads or on any tour where speed is more important to you than comfort.
PROS: efficient on the smooth roads, while still rugged enough for the rougher roads
CONS: no suspension, less comfort
3 Hybrid Bicycle This bike has the same wheel size as a cyclocross bike, but with straight handlebars instead of road style drop bars. Hybrids sometimes have front suspension and suspension in the seatpost. Hybrids are designed more for comfort and leisure than for performance, and have more of an upright sitting position. This is a very popular style of bike for European cycling trips, that also works well in other places.
PROS: comfort, good mounts for racks and bottles
CONS: not always designed for rugged terrain
Consider your Riding Style: What type of rider are? Do you like to sit upright to have a full view and worry little about speed? Or do you like to be tucked into an aerodynamic position and go as fast as you can, and as efficiently as you can? This will help you narrow down your options very quickly.

Lodging

17 Nights in hotels
14 riding day, 2 rest days
Note:
We advise booking at least 1 additional night at tour accommodation before the tour, to be able to attend rider briefing and have assistance from tour bike mechanic in setting up your bike.

Included:

  • Accommodation the night before first cycling day and the night of last cycling day are included in entry fee.
  • 17 nights hotels
  • Most dinners, Most breakfasts, All roadside lunches.
  • Experienced chef
  • Vehicle to carry your bags
  • Experienced tour leader
  • Sweep rider
  • GPS tracks & route notes
  • Bike mechanic
  • Medic
  • Local support
  • Pre-tour information bulletins

Not included:

  • Flights and transfer to and from the tour
  • Night after the tour
  • Bicycle
  • Visas and related costs (requirements vary by rider’s nationality) are not included.
  • Gratuity guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2025: $ 4650.- pp Single fee, double occupancy rooms on hotel nights, we pair each rider with others of same gender.
Tour date 2025:
12 Nov – 26 Nov, limited space available

Conditions

Deposit 25%
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Some long and tough days with shorter less challenging days mixed in. Environment (sometimes including wind and heat) and terrain (including some significant climbing) are more of a factor. Some unexpected challenges may creep in from time to time.


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