Family Reunion for New Year in the Volcanic Mountains of Michoacan

Posted by Fin on 5 January 2010

With 2010 approaching fast, we pedalled like crazy to reach Zamora in the mountains of Michoacan. It was great to get away from the sand flies and mosquitos on the coast as we rode easterly towards Mexico City and up hill to an elevation of 2000m above sea level. Unfortunately Alex's knee is still causing problems - we think it may be that the saddle has slipped and therefore the change in height is causing a different pedal stroke and subsequent knee pain. Struggling with aches, pains and tiredness we arrived into the gorgeous colonial city of Zamora. Here, we waited for a day for my cousin Rob and his girlfriend Ash, to come and meet us. They had planned a a week's break at the end of the year and wanted to try out tour cycling.

We were happy to have a day off to visit the amazing cathedral and awesome markets. We found these markets to be the heart beat of the towns and cities we visited in the mountains, so vibrant and colourfull full of atmosphere - so badly missing from the towns of the west, stripped of their appeal by out of town shopping complexes and malls. Check Alex's blog for Zamora shots - coming soon.

It was great to see Rob and Ash and catch up and chat about the biking. Rob had done some biking in Peru before but Ash was new to touring. However both are fighting fit ultra marathon runners and have recently completed the 166km (9000m ascent) ultra marathon around Mount Blanc so we were expecting to be put to shame. But as it turns out, it doesn't matter how fit you are generally, if your legs and butt are not conditioned to cycling every day like Alex and mine are, you are likely to find going into 100km daily cycles quite tough.

We enjoyed a few days cycling through the mountains but then decided the holiday period required some rest and relaxation. We were happy to arrive into the pretty colonial town of Patzcuaro, where we had a superb night with a fabulous Mexican family who invited us over for drinks and games.

After a day to recover, we cycled towards Valle de Bravo where we visited the Mariposa Monarch Sanctuary. Every year millions of Monarch butterflies migrate 4300miles from Canada to the volcanic forests of Michoacan to spend the winter. We rode horses several 1000metres up the volcano to see the butterflies. Unfortunately it was a little rainy so the butterflies were resting in the trees. Usually they are fluttering all around you we were told. But it was still an amazing experience. They all clustered together looking like a mass of moss on the bark. Millions and millions and millions. Wonderful to see eco tourism and conservation working hand in hand in Mexico.

Reluctantly we said good bye to Rob and Ash who had to return home to work....boo hoo. Alex and I pedalled off towards Oaxaca...

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