56 miles, 570 feet of climb, 5604 ft max. elev. (200 ft/div)
Today I rode to Mitla and back, mainly to check out the bike and my body for the tour
starting in a week. Good thing: apparently I had forgotten to tighten the left crankarm
bolt, which came loose a few miles into the ride. I tightened it with my "Cool Tool"
multi-tool, but I will tighten it again back in the room with a full-sized wrench.
Once you get out of the city, route 190 has a nice shoulder and good pavement. However
the drivers seemed to like to drive on the shoulder for some reason I didn't understand.
Then I saw a sign that explained that's what you're supposed to do so people can pass on
the two-lane road.
The route is mostly flat but I had a pretty good headwind on the way out so it took me, as I recall, about 2 1/2 hours to do the 45 km to Mitla. I bought a Coke from a vendor and spent an hour or so wandering around the ruins.
I had lunch in the town of Mitla. I sat and observed the street scene
through the open door as I waited for the food to appear. I had the
comida corrida, or set lunch, which turned out to be soup, "agua" (fruit
juice mixed with water), ribs, rice, a small lettuce/tomato salad, tortillas, beans, and
jello for desert. All for 40 pesos (about $3.60).
On the way back I stopped at Santa Maria del Tule, took photos of the church and the famous giant cypress tree (biggest in the western hemisphere) and hung out for awhile watching the people.
I got back to the house a little after 4:00. Alejandro's father, whom I met the first day,
was there with his wife. After dinner there was another long conversation with Alejandro,
Vanessa, and Coralie. I called it quits at 11:15 so I can get up tomorrow.