Day 591
Tabasco
After leaving Xalapa our next destination is Calakmul. As it is over 600 miles away, you’ll have to wait a bit for the photos. We again decided to push on. The main reason is we have a wedding to get too in April and need to get a move on if we are to make it!
So, this meant bigger more direct roads, lots of traffic, not so awesome scenery but we would get the miles done. I love cycling in Mexico. Virtually every driver understands this simply fact - ‘We are all just wanting to get somewhere and by working together, we will all get make it.’
On one major highway, we reached a particularly busy section with lots of massive trucks combined with an unusable hard shoulder and a really strong side wind, a young guy on a motorbike took it upon himself to ride behind us with his hazard lights on. He stayed there for over 30 minutes until we left that road. Traffic built up behind us, but not one single vehicle tooted their horn in frustration. We got the same friendly toots and waves when they could safely pass. That’s cycling in Mexico, if only the rest of the world got it. The only downside of getting the miles in on busier roads is punctures. Tom got two caused by bits of metal from shredded tyres.
We entered Tabasco and the views started to improve. We rode on the old main highway which was mainly deserted! We felt at times as if we were back In Florida, water all around us! This meant wild camping spots were harder to find. In one rather run-down town we were really struggling. The church turned us away, the town park was a busy concrete jungle, most people seemed friendly but a bit drunk. Then Tom spotted a sign, it turned out to be an old hostel set by the bayou. A stunning spot. The hostel building is long gone and the family there are in the process of creating a restaurant, but they opened up the toilet block and let us camp for free. The mosquitoes weren’t too bad but the biting ants got us. Early to bed for us.
We have had virtually flat as a pancake riding and we have blasted along. Yesterday despite a strong headwind we rode 90 miles. Tom rode in front for a change to protect me from the headwind. Lunch was fun, Ojo’s stall advertised lots of treats but actually only had one item available. We plonked ourselves down, chatted away with a local teen, Thomas, and munched our meal. The owner wanted a photo of us all. Then it was back on the bikes. Just 3 more days to Calakmul!
