November 20, 2006

Cholula Archaeological Site + Puebla (Puebla), 19.11.06


Map Navigation: This dynamic Trackmap shows the GPS track (red line) and some geo-referenced photos (red dots) of the cycling tour. Wheel up and wheel down your mouse to zoom in or zoom out the map. Click on any point in the map to center it on that point. Or just drag the map with your mouse. To see the photos, hoover the mouse over the red dots. Click on the photo to go to the picture page.


Photoset Map

Photoset Show

GPS Track: GPX (MapSource, et al), or KMZ (Google Earth)

GPS Cycling Data:






Distance: 140 Km, Ascent: 1173 m, Time: 5:20 hr, Avg. Speed: 23.9 Km/hr, Max. Speed: 66 Km/hr.

Travel Report:


This ride was performed under rain for the most part of the journey. In fact, the rain started when we were leaving Mexico City, and did not not stop until our arrive again to the city ! But anyway, it was a beautiful ride, made to visit and know the stunning underground Great Pyramid of Cholula (Puebla). We have intended to take the free highway to Puebla, but somehow in the middle of the ride, we lose our path and had no alternative but to take the paid highway.

There were no many cyclists on the road, only a pilgrimage to San Miguel (I must thank them for its delicious free tostada that they gave me to eat _over_ the bike). On our ascent to Llano Grande (+3200 m) the body generated heat was able to keep us warm, but at our arrival to the summit, it was damn freezing ! We ate some snacks and started the descent to Texmelucan. This was real cold. Temperature was 5 C + raining ! Even in this weather we managed to reach speeds over 65 km/hr. Arriving to Texmelucan, we left the paid highway, taking now our way to the free highway to Puebla. On the road we passed by the town of Huejotzingo, where we could observe some chinelos dancing on the main square (i think we are in festival mood).

Half an hour later we could finally arrive at Cholula, where the rain made us had a hard time finding a place to leave our bicycles. After eating some exquisite tacos + quesadillas in the local market, we could enter the Archaeological Site and its underground Great Pyramid. You can judge by the photos that this is an experience of its own kind. There are even corridors inside the pyramid that lead to God knows where, as they are closed by the site administration. There are a lot of niche-like pathways that lose itself into the darkness. After taking some shots, we leave this magical place.

We decided to climb up our way to the church of Los Remedios, built on the top of the hill that hides the pyramid (this was a tricky part due to my carbon cycling shoes). The rain made this little ascent a though one. But finally, at the top waited for us a beautiful vista of the Cholula and Puebla valleys. After briefly taking shelter in the church, we started our return to the bikes. But meanwhile, Luis decided to have a look to the surrounding pyramids, so I waited for him where we leave our bikes.

Lastly, only the final leg of our journey (12 km) remained between us and our final destination. At our arrival to the CAPU (central bus station of Puebla) we purchased our return tickets (90 pesos by ADO) and patiently awaited 15 minutes for our home bus :-)

Thank you for reading. Till the next journey.

2 comments:

Leon said...

que tal
muy bueno tu post, ¿como haces el mapa con marcadores con foto?

saludos

Unknown said...

Very nice post and pics. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is a largest monument in the world and it listed in Guinness World Records. Pyramid of Cholula was constructed by one of the seven giants known as Xelhua. Cholula is a highly significant centre of the Mexican. YOu can see very attractive taludtablero patterns coloured in shades of red, yellow and black with insect- shaped creations that are typical of Teotihuacan technique. The Temple of Quetzalcoatl was used as a ritualistic area. For more details refer Pyramid of Cholula