After a few days rest in Durango we headed onto to Zacatecas, an old silver mining town, although we had done much of the hill climbing on the way to Durango, our legs must have been tired as we found the next couple of days quite hard, however arriving in Zacatecus really made it all worth it.

Even in the mountains the landscape was still very desert like.

The small town of Sombrerete on the way, gave us some idea of what was to come, there seemed to be more churches than anything else, a lovely little place to wander around after a days cycling.

The holy town of Plateros.

Hot chili peppers in the blistering sun…

Zacatecus, the view from our hostel’s  roof top terrace.

Wandering the back streets of the old town, sometimes felt like you had stepped back in time.

The old town Zacatecus.

Fresh fruit stands in the market.

The colourful houses creep up the slopes, out of the heart of the old town.

Most of our time was spent in the market places, just taking everything in, as with Christmas at home the streets got busier and busier in the build up to Christmas Eve.

More churches!!

It seemed like Zacatecas had cast a spell on us, we had planned to spend Christmas in Aguascalientes 120km down the road. On the morning of the 23rd, got up early, carried our bikes and bags down the hostel stairs, packed up and set of. We made it to the bakery at the end of the street before all deciding that really we didn’t want to leave at all! So back to the hostel, much to the amusement of the owner and Christmas in Zacatecas instead!

Christmas Eve, The team all ready for dinner!!

Christmas dinner, we all joined in, to prepare a huge feast!

Merry Christmas!

Zacatecas.

We have arrived in mainland Mexico and up up and up into the mountains we climbed! From La Paz we took the cargo ferry across to Mazatlan, a 16 hour night ferry, quite basic but with a good dinner and breakfast included in the price. Arriving into the town was great it was early morning and we really felt like we had reached Mexico with the brightly painted houses and little streets, we soon found a hotel and went wandering!

The ferry to the mainland.

Russ, Jesse, Megs and Jules being loaded onto the ferry.

Mazatlan.

Megs working out on the beach!

Colourful Mexico.

Musicians on the beach.

Fresh coconuts, yummy!

From Mazatlan we began the five day ride up to Durango, Megs and Jules from Australia had decided to join us rather than taken the coastal route. We were really pleased to have their company and felt like a little team as we set out. Over the next five days we climbed more than 7000 meters, it was a tough ride but well wort h the effort, it was lovely to see the change in the vegetation as we climbed up from sea level to the highest pass of 2800 meters.

The first night we spent in the sweet little town of Copala, with tiny cobbled streets and a beautiful old misson.

On our second day, as the sun was setting we passed the Tropic of Cancer before finding a place to camp.

The views were fantastic and helped us on upwards!

Lorely and Megs buying fruit from the truck as it came through the town.

Riding the Devils spine.

The Devils spine, a series of switchbacks running along an amazing cliff face.

Catching our breath!!

Durango, we made it!  With our warmshowers host Frida.

Pancho Villa. Durango.

We have arrived in La Paz our last place on the Baja penninsula after a month and around a 1000 miles of desert cycling. As we came into Baja Sur the desert gave way to old oasis towns such as San Ignacio and Mulege, which had little town squares and misions, giving us an idea of what was to come in Mexico. Our ride has followed the main highway one and although busy with traffic in places we are nearly always greeted with waves and friendly horns. We have really enjoyed trying new foods and trying out our very bad Spanish! Our next stage will take us across on the ferry to the mainland, where we will begin our big climb up up and up into the mountains to Durango…….

Giving the Mexican truck driver salute!

Lunch time with Megs, Jules and Adian and any shade will do.

Beer in a Mexican cool box.

Camping in an orange grove makes easy picking for breakfast.

The Mision in San Ignacio.

Down the hill Megs goes!

The evening of Jules` birthday, sunset over San Ignacio.

The Three Virgins Volcano just before Mulege.

Because flowers are important even in the desert!!

Our little bit of paradise for 4 nights.

Russ chopping wood ready for the evening fire.

Looking out to the Sea of  Cortez.

Coyote Beach.

Warming our bums by the fire after an amazing night swimming with phosphorescents.

Back out into the desert.

Loreto, Baja Sur.

A well deserved rest!

Relaxing has been a much needed part of the trip, check out my lovely sock tan lines!

 
 Managed to borrow a friends laptop for a bit so here’s a few more pictures of our  ride across Baja.

A good straight road, with a tailwind!

The start of the cactus fields

Riscal de Catavina, the boulder fields in the national park.

A desert sunset!

Riscal de Catavina

A great little cafe with jigsaw puzzles all over the walls.

coffee time again!

” Just like an old western movie”

A little shade from the hot desert sun.

Supper at a truck stop where we were allowed to camp!
 

Just over 4000 miles, we have crossed into Mexico! Its great to be here and it is so different from America, all new food, sounds and smells, dusty streets and very friendly smiling faces. We crossed the border with 6 other cyclists, two of whom finished their trip from Alaska at the Mexican border so we had a celebratory taco lunch before the rest of us continued on down the Baja penninsula. Our first morning was already a sign of what is to come as the road we wanted to be on did not allow bicycles which was a shame as there was hardly any traffic and a good shoulder, but this is Mexico and no bicycles just means you can’t be seen joining the road at the toll booth, instead we had to  climb over a small wall, through a broken fence, up a tiny path and onto the road!!  Its was all good fun and really got us in the mood for travelling.  The welcome here has been fantastic as well, lots of waving and friendly horns from the passing traffic. Not sure how often we will get to upload photos but here are a few of our first days here and a few from San Deigo….

Welcome to Mexico.

Just as we crossed the border, looking for Tacos!

Crazy american roads in San Diego.

Graffiti in San Diego

Dusty road on the way Santa Tomas

Russ watching Pedro playing guitar, we had planned to camp in this park, but Pedro invited us back to his house and all six of us slept on the floor in his shed!! Which was great and a lot warmer as we are now getting frosts in the mornings.

Football on the beach at Santa Maria..

Baja Califonia, Mexico..

Supper time, with bikes and bags everywhere!

The best part of climbing hills, the view at the top and then the downhill!

Santa Tomas.

On the road! Megs and Russ.