Oaxaca

High-altitude climbing, fun, and sun at Mexico’s cultural and culinary epicenter.

February 17-23, 2025

Join a friendly, adventurous cycling crew for six nights and five days of winter training along Oaxaca’s scenic back roads and mountainous villages. While it’s rainy & snowy up north, we’ll build up our fitness under Oaxaca’s February sunshine.

We’ll stay at Estancia La Merced — a 10 bedroom, 9 bath center of calm right next to Oaxaca’s historic downtown and burgeoning Jalatlaco district. With quiet garden nooks, patios overlooking the surrounding city & mountains, and a rooftop cold plunge tub, this home will serve as the recovery palace for challenging riding days. Enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, recovery massages & take advantage of bike repair assistance from our excellent on-site mechanic after every ride.

Roll out from Estancia La Merced along the side streets of Centro to follow rolling hills along the Agave route through the heartland of mezcal production. Tackle epic climbs from the valley floor (5,500’) into the mountains up to the Cumbre de Ixtepeji (9,200’) and Cumbre de Guacamayas (9,500’) to enjoy endless green vistas and local cuisine at mountain-side restaurants. We’ll ride by the world’s widest tree and climb up to the rejuvenating mineral springs of Hierve de Agua, one of just two known petrified waterfalls in the world. Sag vans will follow with hydration, nutrition, roadside assistance, and the opportunity to shorten rides as desired.

A typical day

Each day will offer a shorter and longer route depending on how much you want to ride. If you have an off day, the vans can haul you and your bike to the finish.

6:30-8am: Coffee and breakfast available, info about the day’s route
8-12pm: Cycling
12-1pm: Lunch
1-3pm: Additional cycling or van shuttle back to Estancia La Merced
3-6 pm: Massages, mechanic, cold plunge, snacks, and coffee at Estancia La Merced
7 - 9 pm: Group dinner on rooftop, or at a nearby restaurant

Add unforgettable off-the-bike experiences and you learn more about local ingredients on mezcal tours & coffee tastings. Enjoy hidden waterfall hikes and mountain top dips as we explore along the area’s routes.

Sample a wide range of Oaxacan food to make it all worthwhile. Enjoy nutritious breakfasts that are oriented to best performance on the bike, traditional Oaxacan lunches, and a mix of family dinners at Estancia la Merced and standout contemporary dinners out at local gems: Brio and Origen.

Explore Oaxaca, a cultural giant that rivals any place in Latin America for its history, gastronomy, and vibrant indigenous culture. Stroll the tranquil streets and iconic street art, lined with artisan shops, locally roasted coffee, and mezcalerías serving Oaxaca’s infamous spirit.

Included in the trip

  • 6 nights at Estancia La Merced with breakfast, coffee, and snacks included

  • 5 days of guided riding or 4 days with rest day adventure

  • Sag vans to shorten routes, follow and assist you on the rides

  • 4 family style dinners prepared by local chefs 

  • 6 breakfast spreads to fuel you for a day on the bike

  • On-duty mechanic to help with bike assembly, repairs and disassembly

  • Complementary massage after each ride days

  • Rooftop cold plunge to aid with recovery

  • Bike & luggage transport from airport to Estancia La Merced

Not included:

  • Lunches & on the bike nutrition

  • 2 group dinners out in the city

Guides

David Sasaki has lived throughout Mexico since 2003. He is based in Oaxaca with his wife, Iris, and their dog, Coco. When not riding his bike with Oaxaca’s Mayordomo cycling team, he consults for nonprofits and enjoys hanging out with friends.

Hugh Rodman has been cycling throughout his life, although it took decades to realize that it was way more fun to do with other people. One of the few things he's won in this short life was a cooking competition.

February 17-23, 2025
$1800 | trip cost
$500 | private room supplemental
$1500 usd | reduced price per person for 4 people (minimum) at The Apartment with private entrance, 2 baths & own kitchen.

Your place is secured with a 50% deposit. Full payment due by October 31. This trip is non-refundable. We’re open to substitutions and happy to help if there is a waiting list.

FAQ

Is it safe?
Mexico’s cartel-related crime is concentrated in a handful of states and Oaxaca is not one of them. David feels safer on and off his bike in Oaxaca than the San Francisco Bay Area.

Will I get sick?
We can’t make guarantees, but it’s unlikely. Our chef uses the best ingredients and disinfects all produce. We’ll stick to restaurants known for their hygiene and quality ingredients, even in remote mountain villages.

Do we have to ride through the city?
The cobblestone streets, taxis, and local traffic are fun for some, but stressful for others. Our sag vans, equipped with rooftop bike racks, offer the option to take a ride to the point on the route where the traffic dies out and the vistas open up.

Are there options for vegetarians/vegans?
We’ll have lots of options at the house for vegetarians and vegans, and there are excellent restaurants Estancia La Merced.

What type of bike and tires should I bring? Can I rent a bike?
Unfortunately, there is no location in Oaxaca (yet) that rents road or gravel bikes. A number of friends have traveled to Oaxaca with their bikes – either boxed up in a local shop or with a travel case – and had no problems flying on Aeroméxico, Delta, United, or American. (Delta and United have waived bike fees). 

You are welcome to bring a gravel bike, though every route will be fully paved and you might want a lighter road bike for the long climbs. We recommend 28-32mm tires if your bike has the clearance. Otherwise, you’ll be just fine on traditional 25s.

We’ll have an excellent bike mechanic with us every day. However, not all bike parts for all brands are readily available in Oaxaca. We recommend bringing an extra derailleur hanger for your bike, which usually costs less than $30.

I’ve heard that Oaxaca has world class mountain bike riding
We have partnered with Bicicletas Pedro Martinez if you’d like to rent a mountain bike and experience Oaxaca’s best single track with or without a guide.

Let’s go!

Drop us a message if you’d like to learn more about the trip or join the crew!