Cycling to the Day of the Dead, Mexico

Last autumn I travelled to the cloud forests of Mexico with H+I Adventures to mountain bike in the Sierra Norte and write up the story for Outdoor Enthusiast magazine. You can read about my two-wheeled adventures in the new summer issue, available to read for free here. These are some of my favourite photos of the wonderful, colourful city of Oaxaca, of the calm green mountains and of the Day of the Dead festivities.

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Cycling to the Dia de los Muertos

I left behind the bustle of Mexico City and headed to the pastel-coloured colonial city of Oaxaca, where preparations for the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations were beginning. The streets were full of bright streamers and dancers and brass band processions paraded across the cobbles. After joining the celebrations we explored the grassy plateau of Monte Alban, a spectacular and ancient ruined city perched high above the valley. And the next day we loaded mountain bikes into a van and drove high up into the mountains with H+I Adventures. In the fresh green Sierra Norte ancient Zapotec trails used by countless generations criss-cross between isolated hill settlements. These days the routes are perfect for exploring by mountain bike, and cyclists can stay with local communities who have set up ecotourism initiatives offering a warm welcome to visitors. After a week cycling through the untouched forests we rode back to the warmer climes of Oaxaca to celebrate with a glass of mezcal and to watch the city come alive with dancing sugar skulls honouring the Dia de Muertos.

oe article

Some photos of this vibrant, welcoming and hugely diverse country. The last one is my absolute favourite. You can also watch a little video of my Mexico adventures here.

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Mexico Oaxaca photography blog

Follow:

2 Comments

  1. June 12, 2017 / 8:04 am

    What an amazing trip! Your pictures are excellent, especially the bike at sunset, I love photos like that. I’ve never been to Mexico before, I’m tempted now though!

  2. June 23, 2017 / 2:55 pm

    Increíble viaje, me encantaría hacerlo a mi tambien, te invito a España, tenemos sitios muy bonitos también!