The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Route of the Maya

December 2nd to December 15th

Ride Coordinator: Albert Balingit
Report by: Ida Nystrom

Don't do this ride for adventurous cycling; instead, think of it as a one of a kind cycling adventure. The entire tour was a feast for the senses. From the incredible blue of the Caribbean Sea to the deep green jungles concealing Mayan ruins we experienced a riot of sight and sound.  The sweet reddish tea we enjoyed at a luxury spa was a refreshing antidote to the spicy Mexican food.  The Christmas decorations added to the surreal experience – “How can it be Christmas when it's so hot?”

This tour was coordinated by Ecocolors, a very well organized and environmentally friendly company.  Our guides spoke perfect English and were extremely knowledgeable about the Mayan and contemporary Mexican cultures.  Most of the group opted for rental bikes.  They were in good working order and a mechanic traveled with us.  Usually, we had two vans offering friendly and efficient support.  The roads we traveled were flat and straight with good surfaces. (One interesting exception was a short stretch on road full of potholes.) Our biggest hazard was the killer speed bumps.

We were lucky to be in the area during a season of Pilgrimage, when Mexicans from around the country walk, bike or drive to Mexico City in honor of our Lady of Guadalupe – the apparition of the Virgin Mary that supposedly appeared five times following the Spanish Conquest. Since not everyone can get to the Capitol, some choose to go just to the largest church in the vicinity.  Every day we passed processions of the young and old, (sometimes traveling in more than one direction) and parades of schoolchildren – all dressed colorfully and carrying placards honoring the saint.  Lively music followed them everywhere, and it was not of the spiritual variety.

The ruined Mayan temples are one of the must see wonders of the world.  We visited six – Izamal, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam and Coba, then ending at beautiful Tulum with its extensive grounds overlooking the sea. Each one exhibited its own special character; nothing seemed repetitive.  A few sites still allow visitors to climb to the top – not suggested for those afraid of heights..

Our hotels and provided meals were excellent.  All hotels had pools or a beach – much appreciated after hot days of cycling. The food was quite different from what passes for Mexican here in the north.  Equally appealing was the variety of exotic drinks we were able to enjoy poolside each evening.

Our trip wasn't all history and culture.  We had two opportunities for snorkeling in National Park waters.  We floated down a channel carved out by Mayans to give them access to the sea and, most unusual of all, we were able to swim in a cenote – a sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses to expose the groundwater.  Cenotes come in many forms – ours was the type known as cavernous, meaning the ceiling was still intact.  We accessed the water by walking down stairs and ladders.  It was easy to see why the Mayans considered this type of pool the portal to the netherworld.  However, our group thought it was heavenly.

Hopefully, this ride will be offered again.  If you get the chance, you should do it.