¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
www.BikeMexico.com
The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
Eternal Spring in Mexico 2005
Season 2005 · all tours that season
On this REGULAR - CHALLENGE difficulty tour we cycle around the highlands of Michoacan state. We range in altitude from 1500m to 2500m so the weather is cool. We'll explore colonial cities, indigenous Purepecha towns, the newest volcano in the world, the avocado capital of the world and some spectacular mountain country-side. There are lakes, colourful markets, and interesting history and culture. For this tour, we meet up in Morelia and are transported to Carapán, a convenient starting point to cycle a loop that eventually takes us back to Morelia.
Archive note: New summer tour aimed at teachers.
| Dates: | Thurs Jul 7, 2005 to Thurs Jul 21, 2005 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 53km Maximum/day: 69km Total Approx: 532km |
| Route Type: | 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.CHALLENGEChallenge DifficultyYou need to have excellent fitness and good cycling experience. Distances generally average about 70 - 110 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 150 km. Roads range from flat to Sierra Madre (mountainous!). We may climb up to 3000 metres in a day.WeatherThe Weather: MountainsLate fall and winter in the Mexican mountains is dry and cool. The sun warms things up during the daytime, but expect freezing temperatures overnight. High volcanoes can be snowcapped around this time.Spring is warmer, and in the summer it will often rain in the afternoon. RoadThe Road: MountainsThe road is generally in excellent condition. There are some sections of dirt road, and rough pavement. In the mountainous areas, the road rarely flattens out and occasionally climbs at more than a 10% grade, however in the high plateaus the road can be fairly flat to rolling. Traffic is generally light to non-existent, except of course close to larger towns and cities. The surface is generally wide and the drivers are courteous.LandThe Land: MountainsAltitudes generally range between 1500 and 2500m, however on some tours we may climb up over 4000m. The high volcanoes are snow-capped in the winter. The mountain vegetation varies greatly from humid cloud forests to cool dry pine forests or dry desert shrub. |
| Highlights: | Spectacular mountain views of Michoacan state, challenging climbs, exciting descents, the world's newest volcano (Volcán Paricutin), the capital of the avocado, many colonial towns and cities, indigenous Purepecha culture and ancient Tarasco ruins, a wide variety of hanycrafts including hammered copperware, masks and textiles. There's a geyser, lakes, various church and cathedral architectures including colonial, baroque and gothic, and a tasty variety of traditional cuisine. |
The Route
Itinerary
Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0Meet in Morelia-UNESCO Heritage site, colonial state capital, markets, museums
Day 1Transport to Carapán, ride to Cherán27-51kmBeautiful mountain scenery, side trip to Paracho the guitar capital
Day 2Cherán to Zirahuén42kmVery quiet smooth roads, great views, small towns and villages, small lakes-side resort
Day 3Zirahuén to Pátzcuaro via Sta. Clara del Cobre36kmBrick road, copper town, view of lake Pátzcuaro
Day 4Pátzcuaro-Rest day. Gorgeous colonial town, handycrafts from the surrounding area, market
Day 5Pátzcuaro to Uruapan69kmMainly downhill, Tarascan ruins, world capital of the avocado, national park
Day 6Uruapan to Angahuán37kmChallenging climbing, spectacular views
Day 7Angahuán-Volcán Paricutín, world's newest volcano
Day 8Angahuán to Tinguindín56kmagricultural center, fruit orchards, small colonial town
Day 9Tinguindín to Tangancicuaro59kmUnfinished gothic cathedral, sweeping views
Day 10Tangancicuaro to Zacapu54kmvalley of the 11 towns
Day 11Zacapu-Rest day. Ixtlan de los Hervores geyser
Day 12Zacapu to Patzcuaro61kmEasy climbs, fast descents, great views of lake Patzcuaro, mask making town
Day 13Patzcuaro to Morelia67kmTarascan ruins,
Day 14Morelia-Stay a little longer or fly back home
What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $150 | $170 | $150 | $970 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Eternal Spring in Mexico through the years.
Photo Album
This tour in other seasons: 2006