(^62) Cintalapa – San Pedro Tapanatepec - 80km
Shortly after departing, we encountered two cyclists going in the
opposite direction. I expected to start seeing more cyclists as we
were following the classic north-south cycling route. After chatting
awhile, we departed with the knowledge (although hilly) there were
no major mountain passes along the way.
The remainder of the day was easy cycling except for a grass fire,
something I didn’t particularly appreciate as the smoke was dense
and embers blew across the road. This created a dangerous lack of
visibility and coated our sweat-soaked bodies in black soot.
I was never more relieved to clear the danger zone. The remainder of
the way went past colourful fields of millet. Up and down we went,
until reaching a long downhill offering vistas of the Pacific Coast in
the distance. Still, the route descended, revealing stunning valley
views. Finally, once in Tapanatepec, we were over the Sierra Madre de
Chiapas and in the lowlands’ heat and humidity. I didn’t quite realise
how cooler the climate was in the mountain
San Pedro Tapanatepec – Juchitan de Zaragopza - 111km
Every day came with its challenges, and on this day we had to deal
with the wind along the coastal plains. The path ran past the town of
La Ventosa - which (I think) means “the windy place” in Spanish.
La Ventosa was also the centre of a giant wind farm along the
Isthmus of Tehuantepec (the narrowest point between the Pacific
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico). I understood that the difference in
temperature between the two oceans creates a virtual wind tunnel
through a gap in the Sierra Madre. I’ve heard the wind gusts are so
severe that they can take roofs off houses.
leana
(Leana)
#1