Story
Welcome to El Grandisimo - the web page for my mad Mexico cycling challenge for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
Well, despite the best efforts of Mexican wild dogs (they like the sound of wheels), unseasonally hot weather (35-40C each day), breaking my bike on day 4 (rear wheel rim exploded as tyre burst) and various unpleasant campsite germs (I'll spare you the details) - I made it! I am very pleased to say that I cycled the whole distance!
Day 1: Start at Alvarado on Atlantic Coast. Cycle through swamps and sugar cane fields. Hot & humid, but flat & fast. Flea-pit camp - sand flies are hungry. 94km
Day 2: Tropical flat lands becoming dense tropical jungle during afternoon. Climb to 250m & camp at base of mountains. Stream to wash in! 92km
Day 3: 60km climb to 3,000m through "cloud forest". Unseasonally warm weather, so no cloud forest, just burning sun. Camp at 71km after 11 hours in saddle. Beautiful clear night.
Day 4: Break my bike on first big descent! Borrow bike and carry on! Get puncture! Up and down, up and down with a big 18km climb to camp. Fantastic sunset, stars and sunrise from the best camp yet, despite being wet-wipe wash night! 70km
Day 5: Steep climb for 14km, followed by fast and furious 18km descent down to Oaxaca city. Police escort through Oaxaca, then flat & fast to camp. Urban camping in village square, amongst bemused locals. 102km
Day 6: Morning cycle across flat, agricultural plain, with a climb up to the lunch stop. Quick 14km descent, followed by another big climb and descent before camping in lay-by on side of mountain! Cattle attack in night! 95km
Day 7: Continue descent down to San Pedro, then 4 hour 30km climb to lunch stop and first views of the Pacific (allegedly - first cloud of trip!). After lunch, a huge 33km descent - the longest and best of the trip. No peddling until camp! We drink beers whilst washing in the river! 88km
Day 8: A mere 49km to finish in Puerto Escondido. Hit the Pacific Ocean for lunch!
Thank you for your support and generous sponsorship which allowed me to have a truly awesome experience. At times it was physically and emotionally exhausting, but I suspect this is not even close to how it feels to live each day with cancer. Your donation has helped to raise a staggering amount for Macmillan Cancer Relief, which will help fund specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors, buildings for cancer treatment and care, and grants for patients in financial difficulties.
Well, despite the best efforts of Mexican wild dogs (they like the sound of wheels), unseasonally hot weather (35-40C each day), breaking my bike on day 4 (rear wheel rim exploded as tyre burst) and various unpleasant campsite germs (I'll spare you the details) - I made it! I am very pleased to say that I cycled the whole distance!
Day 1: Start at Alvarado on Atlantic Coast. Cycle through swamps and sugar cane fields. Hot & humid, but flat & fast. Flea-pit camp - sand flies are hungry. 94km
Day 2: Tropical flat lands becoming dense tropical jungle during afternoon. Climb to 250m & camp at base of mountains. Stream to wash in! 92km
Day 3: 60km climb to 3,000m through "cloud forest". Unseasonally warm weather, so no cloud forest, just burning sun. Camp at 71km after 11 hours in saddle. Beautiful clear night.
Day 4: Break my bike on first big descent! Borrow bike and carry on! Get puncture! Up and down, up and down with a big 18km climb to camp. Fantastic sunset, stars and sunrise from the best camp yet, despite being wet-wipe wash night! 70km
Day 5: Steep climb for 14km, followed by fast and furious 18km descent down to Oaxaca city. Police escort through Oaxaca, then flat & fast to camp. Urban camping in village square, amongst bemused locals. 102km
Day 6: Morning cycle across flat, agricultural plain, with a climb up to the lunch stop. Quick 14km descent, followed by another big climb and descent before camping in lay-by on side of mountain! Cattle attack in night! 95km
Day 7: Continue descent down to San Pedro, then 4 hour 30km climb to lunch stop and first views of the Pacific (allegedly - first cloud of trip!). After lunch, a huge 33km descent - the longest and best of the trip. No peddling until camp! We drink beers whilst washing in the river! 88km
Day 8: A mere 49km to finish in Puerto Escondido. Hit the Pacific Ocean for lunch!
Thank you for your support and generous sponsorship which allowed me to have a truly awesome experience. At times it was physically and emotionally exhausting, but I suspect this is not even close to how it feels to live each day with cancer. Your donation has helped to raise a staggering amount for Macmillan Cancer Relief, which will help fund specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors, buildings for cancer treatment and care, and grants for patients in financial difficulties.