Jay Richards: Mexico Spring 2016

The other week, Jonell and snuck down to Mexico for a five day getaway.

First came down to Puerto Vallarta (PV) back in the 70's with my parents. A few trips driving down which I told Jonell would be fun to do sometime with the Scamp but I haven't convinced her yet! Since that first trip in 1973, maybe have only missed 10-15 years. Lot of great memories each trip. The ones that stick out the most are probably the times we went with the kids, staying north of PV in Sayulita and Lo De Marcos. Recently we've stayed more south near Boca de Tomatlan where it's not as crowded and a bit more quiet.

Out of the last 10 years, can't remember PV being so quiet as it was this year. Easter was very early this year which is the probably the busiest time of the year for the area and spring break for most schools etc. long gone.

Similar what we have been experiencing in the Midwest this year, it was cloudy most of the time. No complaints. It was great to be with Jonell and enjoy some down time from what turned out to be a crazy spring at the resort, good to get away from it for a while.

Once again I brought my mountain bike down, using a hard case bike box to transport the bike down. I hit up the roads and mountain trails I have been riding around PV the past 20 years or so. One thing nice about the Strava cycling app is to see how many more people are riding down there. Pretty cool to see more cyclists enjoy the endless amount of mountain roads. It's always an adjustment coming from the cold weather of MN to the hot and humidity of Mexico. Had some nice rides, nothing over 2 hours really but able to get back a bit farther up in the mountains compared to recent years. It's a great way to see the landscape outside of the city and way of life for a lot of folk. Maybe 15 years ago I did this 4 hour ride discovering a remote mountain village. Remember riding in looking around the village and walked in on this class/school in a dirt building and the kids all laughed. Hope one day to return back there, not sure if I would do solo again! The day I rode in photo above it was cloudy heading up but when I hit the high point, I hit the cloud line making for a spectacular vista.

Coming back across the Rio Cuale river.

The atv tours have amped up in recent years. Only saw one, on my way back. Dusty as usual and always catch them off guard when passing. They are good natured though and always give a hoot or holler of encouragement. Typically of most people you pass or see while grinding out a climb or what not.

Hit up the usual eating spots that are hard not to go back to. Friendly staff, many that we've gotten to know since the first year they starting working or opened. We call it a bit of a business trip learning from the incredible hospitality from the hotel staff, restaurant servers and taxi drivers which are always the most fun to converse with. The people are awesome and coming from the states watching the coverage of this election year with so much aggression from both sides, its refreshing.

Fresh!

The food is unlike anything we experience around home. Everything is so fresh and different. We rarely eat Mexican food other than the taco stands or maybe breakfast, the Asian, Mediterranean and Italian top spots. The dollar is strong in Mexico making for incredibly pricing compared to the states.

Heading up in to the mountains pavement. Even though there weren't as many tourists as years past the traffic was heavier than I expected. Morning riding and being safe as possible key!