Mexico Cycling – Day 1 – The Root Canal
Bus to edge of PV to avoide massive traffic
It was about 4 pm when Louise doubled over with cramps
and crying out for help. Greg and I rushed down
from where we had been waiting on the side of the
road, extracted her from her pedals and carried her off the road.
Seven hours earlier we mounted our 5 mtn bikes loaded
down with packed panniers – 4 hard core endurance athletes and guest, and
headed east from Puero Vallarta.
Checking out our first of many cobbled street villages.
As the temp. rose so did we as we climbed for hours. We ultimately ended up on a 12% grade for miles, pedaling through blazing sun. After 6000 feet of climbing we had covered only 40 miles and with darkness looming we put out our thumbs. The couple who picked us up were heading to Mascota so that she could perform an emergency root canal. It was a poignant end to a brutal day of getting our asses kicked in rural Mexico and we were reduced to hysterical laughter in a pile of bodies bikes and gear in the back of a pick up truck. What a perfect day 1 of our adventure!
The inevitable ride to Mascota.
The first of many animal signs we'd see. Most of which were not on well traveled roads.
Mascota has proved to be lovely and over pizza and beer last night we planned to replan our second day. Thus far we´ve riden through mountains and a rain forest and have found the Mexican people to be helpful and friendly. I´m sitting early morning in our hotel courtyard writing this, listening to the church bells and I hear my teammate stirring in the room.
We´ve decided that Menno will stay behind in Mascota to take in the sights and Louise, Nancy, Greg and I will forge ahead in the rain toward Tomaltin… back at you later!!!