Dave's Travel Pages

Bicycle Touring | Greek Island Hopping | Travel Itineraries | Inspiration

Travel Tips, Itineraries and Guides to Greece, Europe and beyond!

  • Greece Travel
  • Greek Islands
  • Europe
  • Asia Travel
  • Americas
  • Bike Touring

Last updated on January 8, 2019 By Dave Briggs Leave a Comment

Cycling from Pochutla to Santiago Astata in Mexico

This bike touring blog post covers the day's ride between Pochutla and Santiago Astata in Mexico. Part of my bike touring journey from Alaska to Argentina.

Cycling 120kms through Mexico

The plan to get an earlier start worked well, and I was on the road for 07.00. It was just as well, because it turned out to be a long, challenging day.

The whole 120 kms was filled with constant climbing and descents – not bad at first, but pretty gruelling after the 80 km mark.

I came across an Oxxo shop early on, and to me, these places really are a most welcome oasis. Out on the highway, they are occasionally positioned with a Pemex station, but not at everyone. They have a wide range of cold drinks, coffee, snacks, and are air conditioned. Its hard to express the joy I feel upon seeing one!

Cycling from Pochutla to Santiago Astata in Mexico
Oxxo

Cycling in Mexico can be monotonous

Anyhow, after a half hour break, it was back to the road once more. As well as the constant climbing, only to lose what I had gained (repeat all day), most of the way was tree lined, and afforded no views spectacular or otherwise.

Not for the first time, I could see why many cyclists who cycle the Pan American highway take rides through parts of Mexico. Its not the hills, the traffic or the heat, but the sheer monotony of it all.

Once you’ve seen one Mexican village complete with goats, chickens, hammocks, palapas etc, you’ve pretty much seen them all, and only a masochist could take joy from gaining height, only to lose it all again for no reward. (Although, clearly I am some sort of masochist, as I continue to do it!!).

The road did, however, give me a chance to think about my trip in general and the route ahead, and I came to a new decision.

Reevaluating the bike tour

I had been planning to get into Guatemala as quickly as possible, and continue heading south in the same manner, potentially reaching the southern most tip of Argentina in July.

I’ve change my mind over this now for several reasons, and instead, will head to San Cristobal de las Casas, and from there northwards to Palenque, from where I will then cut across to Guatemala using a little cycled, albeit potentially dodgy road. The reasons for this are as follows…

  • San Cristobal de las Casas, which is high up in the mountains, is generally colder than the rest of Mexico, and much colder at night…. This is something I am really looking forwards too!
  • I can’t remember the last time I said ‘Wow’ about anything in Mexico. I have been to Palenque before, and know that it is stunning. It would be a great spirit lifter.
  • With a potential emergency loan sorted out, I am not so much in a rush to finish as soon as possible now. It would make a great deal more sense, and be easier to cycle through Patagonia sometime from mid October onward.
  • At San Cristobal de las Casas, as well as enjoying some cooler weather, I will re-equip the bike. The tyres have been on since Alaska, and these need replacing, although I have a feeling I am going to have to arrange for decent ones to be delivered from the UK.
  • Although the crossing I intend to make into Guatemala is a tough one, it will be more exciting than sticking to the same ribbon of tarmac.

So there we go. Decision made!

Santiago Astata

Anyhow, I finished the day in Santiago Astata where a room was 200 pesos. Its unbelievably hot here. 

Hoping for another early start tomorrow, if I can actually get any sleep at all in this sweat box that is.

Additional – I am really missing an MP3 player on some of these duller stretches of road – I will add that to the shopping list for San Cristobal de las Casas !

Read more about cycling from Alaska to Argentina

Use the links below

  • Previous day of bike tour
  • Next day of bike tour
  • Bike Touring in Mexico

Filed Under: February Travelogue 2010

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Dave

Dave Briggs, writer at Dave's Travel Pages

Dave's Travel Pages is a travel blog focusing on Greece and Bike Touring, with additional travel guides to countless interesting destinations around the world.

Find out more about Dave and this blog by clicking here

Recent Travel Posts

  • Historic Sites in Athens Greece – Landmarks and Monuments
  • Santorini to Crete Ferry Information: Timetables, Schedules, and Ferries
  • Goupa Village in Kimolos, Cyclades Islands, Greece
  • Sur BnB Guide: Where to stay in Big Sur Hotels, AirBnB, Camping

Dave’s Travel Pages has a number of affiliate links placed within the travel blog. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping Dave to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. More importantly, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Win win – we like that!

Dave’s Travel Blog Privacy Policy

Read our privacy policy here

You might also be interested in:

  • Travel by Bicycle
  • Travel Quotes
  • Travel to Athens
  • Greek Island Hopping
  • Dave’s Santorini Travel Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

"Copyright Dave's Travel Pages (c) 2005- - 2021 "