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Circuits à vélo à petit budget au Mexique
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Backroads to the Beach 2010
Saison 2009–2010 · tous les circuits de cette saison-là
Les documents préservés sur cette page — descriptions d'itinéraires, programmes jour par jour, légendes de photos, dépêches et avis de cyclistes — sont reproduits tels qu'ils ont été rédigés à l'origine : en anglais.
Circuit de difficulté facile - moyenne: 10 jours de vélo, à raison de 70km par jour en moyenne. Nous nous retrouvons à Mérida, puis pédalons depuis cette belle ville coloniale vers des ruines mayas, des cénotes cristallins, des sanctuaires de flamants et d'oiseaux des zones humides, pour finir au joyau mexicain des Caraïbes, Tulum. Le tout, bien sûr, par les belles petites routes tranquilles du Yucatán.
Note d’archive : NOUVEAU circuit.
| Dates: | Sun Jan 24, 2010 to Sun Feb 7, 2010 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 70km Maximum/day: 94km Total Approx: 700km |
| Type de parcours: | LITE-REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's best weather is during our winter months. From November till March the temperature hovers in the mid 20's to the mid 30's (celcius) with sunny clear skies. Humidity levels can be high as we head inland but a warm steady breeze and the occasional but rare tropical thunderstorm will keep you feeling refreshed.RoadThe Road: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's roads are considered the finest in Mexico. They are generally in excellent condition with even, paved surfaces. Some stretches of our route also include a paved shoulder. The route meanders along flat terrain with the occasional rolling section. In most places traffic is light to non-existent. Depending on the time of day, roads may be busy near towns such as Cancun, Valladolid and Merida, however drivers are generally respectful of cyclists and will give you as much room as possible.LandThe Land: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan peninsula at the south eastern tip of Mexico is comprised of three states, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The peninsula is a massive, flat carbonate - limestone shelf formed by prehistoric high sea levels. Too porous to support a river system, fresh water accumulates underground forming an extensive subterranean river network. Where the erosive process has broken through the earth's surface, cenotes (se-no-tes; limestone sinkholes or pools) have formed. Erosion has also formed numerous caves, some of them enormous and accessible to tourists. The peninsula's landscape is covered by thorn forest in the north and rain jungle in the south. |
| Temps forts: | Real Mexican-Yucatecan culture. Small towns, ruins, lots of cenotes, quiet roads. Mérida; bustling city, colonial architecture, art, food, market. Staying in eco-hotels in the forest.Tulum - the beach! |
| Prix: | US$1,310 (le coût terrestre total approximatif publié cette année-là) |
| Participants: | 10 cyclistes (d’après la base clients de la compagnie) |
Le parcours
Itinéraire
Cliquez sur n’importe quel jour pour la description complète. Les itinéraires ont toujours été sujets à de légères modifications.
QuandOùDistanceTemps forts
Day 0 — Sun Jan 24, 2010Meet in Mérida-
Yucatan cuisine, Colonial Architecture, Zocalo, Market [more]
Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of Mérida's numerous restaurants.Day 1 — Mon Jan 25, 2010Mérida to Ticul77 km
Picturesque Towns, Mayan villages, quiet roads, ex-haciendas, cenotes [more]
We'll pass through many small Mayan villages and ex-haciendas. There are also some cenotes to be discovered along the way.Day 2 — Tues Jan 26, 2010Ticul to Sta. Elena (via Muna)53 km
Uxmal Mayan ruins, some hills [more]
We have a short day of cycling today to give us ample time to explore the deservedly famous Uxmal Mayan ruin. Of course the get there we have to get over the ridge of the Puuc hills, and it's a good little climb. We end the day in a beautiful eco-hotel in Santa Elena.Day 3 — Wed Jan 27, 2010Sta. Elena-
rest day. Enjoy the nature. Climb up to the town church for sunset. [more]
Take a walk around the beautiful eco-paradise that we're staying in. Learn about the native trees and other flora. Spot some exotic birds if you can. Relax. Take a walk into town, climb up to the church and watch the sun set into a sea of green forests.Day 4 — Thurs Jan 28, 2010Sta Elena to Oxcutzcab52 km
Puuc route Mayan ruins, Hacienda Tabi, quiet hilly backroads [more]
Today we will ride the Puuc route along a winding road through rolling terrain, stopping along the way to visit a number of different Mayan ruins, including Kabah, Labna and Sayil. We will then visit the beautiful restored ex-hacienda Tabi and then continue on to Oxcutzcab.Day 5 — Fri Jan 29, 2010Oxcutzcab to Tekax40 km (hilly)
hills and backroads, colonial town, classic Yucatecan cuisine [more]
Today we ride long the backroads through ever more hilly terrain to Tekax, a colonial Mayan town with 16th and 17th century churches.Day 6 — Sat Jan 30, 2010Tekax to Tekit (via Cantamayec)94 km
Longest day, scenic backroads [more]
We will meaner along some beautiful narrow, quiet backroads today on our longest day of cycling, taking us to the small Mayan town of Tekit.Day 7 — Sun Jan 31, 2010Tekit to Izamal85 km
Rolling hills, backroads, cenotes [more]
We start the day on some very quiet backroads with some rolling hills. In Cuzama we will stop for a little break and the famous Cuzama cenote trip. Continuing on more quiet backroads, at the end of the day we find ourselves in the splendid colonial yellow town of Izamal.Day 8 — Mon Feb 1, 2010Izamal-
Mayan Ruins, huge pyramid, Convent, Zocalo, Market, beautiful Izamal, the best tacos in Mexico! [more]
Known as the Yellow Town because of the colour of the colonial buildings that line the zocalo, Izamal is famous for having the largest church plaza in Mexico. It includes an enormous Franciscan convent (built with Mayan stones) and the remnants of the most voluminous Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan. You can also visit the colourful market, or just stroll around the beautiful zocalo observing the daily routines of the local inhabitants.Day 9 — Tues Feb 2, 2010Izamal to Pisté (via Stilpech, Tunkas and Dzitas)71 km
Cenotes, quiet roads, small towns [more]
There are many cenotes and caves to visit along the way. An option detour will take us to the town of Cenotillo where there are even more cenotes and caves. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.Day 10 — Wed Feb 3, 2010Piste to Ek Balam village (via Valladolid or via Espita)88-90 km
quiet roads, tiny Mayan village [more]
More backroads take us to the little visited village of Ek Balam where we'll stay at a community run eco-hotel. No rush to visit the Mayan ruins - there's a rest day tomorrow.Day 11 — Thurs Feb 4, 2010Ek Balam-
Ek Balam Mayan ruins. Rest day. Nature. Cenote. Authentic Mayan food. [more]
Explore the impressive Mayan ruins of Ek' Balam with its unique winged sculptures and visit the nearby cenote. Enjoy living within nature at our community run eco-hotel in the forest and check out the lookout tower.Day 12 — Fri Feb 5, 2010Ek Balam to Coba85 km
backroads, small villages [more]
Another day, another bunch of backroads. Today we end up in the little village of Coba, rest up, the ruins are first thing tomorrow morning!Day 13 — Sat Feb 6, 2010Cobá to Tulum55 km
Coba Mayan Ruins, Cenotes, Beach, snorkel, Scuba-Diving, Tulum ruins, beach camping possible [more]
We'll visit Coba Mayan ruins first thing in the morning, and then cycle on to Tulum. Deep in the jungle, Cobá is the site of an ancient Mayan city whose ruins (an estimated 6500 buildings) are for the most part still covered by dense jungle vegetation. Covering over 10 square kilometers, unexcavated remnants are beginning to emerge from countless hill-like mounds. To reach the only recently uncovered ruins, you will make your way along tunnel-like trails, through the dense jungle. Beautiful birds, spider monkeys rustling the tops of trees, lizards slithering out of your way, as well as fragrant plants and flowers will make your stay here unforgettable.Day 14 — Sun Feb 7, 2010Tulum-
After the ruins, why not go for a scuba dive or a snorkel, or perhaps you'd like to learn how to dive?
Tulum ruins, beach. Bus to Cancun or Mérida to fly back home or stay a while longer [more]
Bus back to Mérida or Cancun to fly back home or stick around for a bit. It's best to tour the ruins first thing in the morning before the tourists and the heat overwhelm. Its graying temples and watchtower rise above wind-bent palm trees clinging to a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.After the ruins, why not go for a scuba dive or a snorkel, or perhaps you'd like to learn how to dive?
Ce que ça coûtait cette saison-là
| Forfait des guides | + Hébergement | + Repas & boissons | + Divers | = Coût terrestre total approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $700 | $240 | $220 | $150 | $1,310 |
Tous les montants sont en dollars américains, tels que publiés à l’époque. Les participants payaient eux-mêmes l’hébergement, les repas et les droits d’entrée en cours de route — le Forfait des guides était la seule somme facturée par ¡El Tour. Historique complet : le prix de Backroads to the Beach au fil des ans.
Album photo
