Rutas Café Ciclista · Gravel Challenge
GravelSpirit
Sierra Mixteca Norte
From Mexico City to Oaxaca. October 24 – November 2, 2026.
- 654
- Kilometres
- 8,910
- Metres of climbing
- 6
- Riding days
- 10
- Days on the road
What this is
Riding through the Mexico few people see
We leave Rutas Café Ciclista on October 24 and reach Oaxaca on the 31st, in time for Día de Muertos. Along the way:
- The foothills of Popocatépetl: fertile country, villages and farmland.
- The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, home to the densest columnar cactus forest on the planet.
- The canyon of the green macaws (Ara militaris) and the high Oaxacan sierra, where Mixtec tradition is still alive.
This is a challenge that demands fitness, skill and experience: 60% gravel of every kind, long climbs with ramps of 9% to 15%, and stretches where the thermometer goes past 40 °C.
The real reward is seeing Mexico from deep in the sierra, the satisfaction of pushing your limits, and connecting with the country and with yourself in ways the city never allows.
What is GravelSpirit Sierra Mixteca?
A test of endurance, self-sufficiency and skill. Six days on the bike and two rest days, in a small group that leaves together and arrives together, even if everyone rides their own pace in between.
What not to expect
It is not a race, and it is not a cycling holiday. Least of all a party: rest and recovery matter every single day.
The route
Ten days, six stages
| Day | km | m+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Sat Oct 24 | Mexico City → Tochimilco, Puebla | 130 | 1,261 |
| 2 · Sun Oct 25 | → Molcaxac, Puebla | 95 | 1,314 |
| 3 · Mon Oct 26 | → San Juan Raya, Puebla | 87 | 619 |
| 4 · Tue Oct 27 | → Santa María Tecomavaca, Oaxaca | 127 | 1,086 |
| 5 · Wed Oct 28 | Rest day. Eco-tourism, prep for the queen stage | — | — |
| 6 · Thu Oct 29 | → Santiago Apoala, OaxacaQueen stage | 92 | 2,982 |
| 7 · Fri Oct 30 | Rest day. Eco-tourism, active recovery | — | — |
| 8 · Sat Oct 31 | → Oaxaca de Juárez | 123 | 1,648 |
| 9 · Sun Nov 1 | Día de Muertos in Oaxaca | — | — |
| 10 · Mon Nov 2 | Return to Mexico City | — | — |
| Total | 654 | 8,910 |
- Day 1 · Sat Oct 24
Mexico City → Tochimilco, Puebla
130 km · 1,261 m+
- Day 2 · Sun Oct 25
→ Molcaxac, Puebla
95 km · 1,314 m+
- Day 3 · Mon Oct 26
→ San Juan Raya, Puebla
87 km · 619 m+
- Day 4 · Tue Oct 27
→ Santa María Tecomavaca, Oaxaca
127 km · 1,086 m+
- Day 5 · Wed Oct 28
Rest day. Eco-tourism, prep for the queen stage
- Day 6 · Thu Oct 29Queen stage
→ Santiago Apoala, Oaxaca
92 km · 2,982 m+
- Day 7 · Fri Oct 30
Rest day. Eco-tourism, active recovery
- Day 8 · Sat Oct 31
→ Oaxaca de Juárez
123 km · 1,648 m+
- Day 9 · Sun Nov 1
Día de Muertos in Oaxaca
- Day 10 · Mon Nov 2
Return to Mexico City
- Total654 km · 8,910 m+
The queen stage is day 6: 92 km with 2,982 metres of climbing, on sustained ramps of 10% with pitches of 18%. Expect five to six hours of climbing. It is by far the hardest day of the trip, which is why the days before and after are rest days — and those double as time to explore the reserves.
Four Mexicos in one route
The landscape changes constantly
Days 1–2 · The volcanoes
The volcanoes
We leave Rutas heading for Tochimilco, Puebla, on the flanks of Popocatépetl. Along the way, fields of marigold and avocado growing in soil fertilised by "Don Goyo" himself.
Days 3–4 · The Biosphere Reserve
The Biosphere Reserve
We ride into Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. The heat sharpens here, and the landscape makes up for it: giant cacti and barrel cacti surround you in a scene that feels off-world.
Days 4–6 · Cuicatlán country
Cuicatlán country
Deep tradition, ancestral cooking and remarkable wildlife. The rest day is a chance to visit the macaw sanctuary, try mole cooked by a local family and spin the legs out before the queen stage.
Days 6–8 · The high Mixteca
The high Mixteca
As we close in on Oaxaca we ride through the living traditions of Mixtec towns: murals with ancestral symbolism and landscapes that stay with you.
How the event works
Semi-supported
There is no support car following the group. The Rutas van is at the start and at the finish. During the day it stays close — close enough to help or respond if something happens — but it will not be shadowing you. Ride at whatever pace suits you: what matters is getting there.
You carry your own water, food, tools and spares for the day. If something breaks, you need to be able to fix it yourself.
What is included
- A curated route, 100% rideable
- A guide carrying a satellite GPS tracker
- Support van at the start and finish
- Mechanical help at the end of each day (basics)
- Rutas guides riding with the main group
- The van carries your bag to each destination
What is not included
- Any option to hop in a broom wagon if you are tired
- Feed stations on route
- A mechanic riding with you
The main group
The guides ride a main group aiming to reach each destination before sunset. Anyone comfortable at that pace is welcome to sit in.
Is this for you?
A challenge for experienced riders
What you need
- Experience on multi-day gravel trips
- Fitness to ride 10 to 12 hours and 120 km with demanding climbs — and do it again the next day
- The ability to fix your own bike: tubeless, brake pads, a broken chain…
- Tolerance for riding above 40 °C for hours
- Confidence following a route on your own GPS device
- Valid accident insurance. Each rider arranges their own.
Mandatory minimum kit
The kit you must bring
Bike
- Gravel or cross-country MTB
- 45 mm tyres minimum
- Tubeless
- Lowest gear ratio around 0.85 — for example a 38 chainring with a 46 cassette. It depends a lot on the rider
Lights and power
- Front light, 1,200 lumens with 6 hours of runtime
- Long-lasting rear light
- 10,000 mAh power bank
Hydration and sun
- Capacity for 3 litres minimum
- UV protective clothing
- SPF 50 sunscreen
Protection
- Helmet
- Glasses
- Mountain / gravel shoes
First aid
- Painkillers
- Gauze
- Antihistamine
Tools and spares
- Tubeless plugs
- 2 bottles of tubeless sealant
- 2 spare tubes
- Multitool with hex keys
- Chain breaker
- Quick links
- Chain lube
- Spare hanger (the one for your frame)
- 1 set of brake pads
Riding through communities
We ride through communities that open their roads to us. You ask, you thank, and you pay for what you take — and your rubbish travels with you to the destination. Alcohol and drugs are strongly discouraged for the duration: the next morning there are 100 km and 2,000 metres of climbing at 40 degrees waiting, and dehydration is unforgiving.
Food along the route
On food along the route: there will always be a small shop for basics, but only the larger towns will have cooked meals. Plan your day around that.
Investment
Costs
Entry feeMandatory
Tax included. The only mandatory part.
$8,000 MXN
Return to Mexico City on November 2
Optional. Includes bike transport.
$1,500 MXN
Accommodation, 9 nights
On you. We help you get it.
—
Meals
Not included.
—
The entry fee covers
- Route design, scouting and guiding
- Support van for 8 days: your bag travels to each destination
- GPS tracking and emergency protocol
- Medical kit and mechanical help at each destination
- Welcome kit
- Closing event in Oaxaca
About accommodation
We reach small towns with almost no tourist infrastructure and very few rooms. We hold some reservations there; they are limited and assigned in order of registration. If you miss out, there are roadside hotels nearby and camping is an option in most stops.
Worth knowing: Oaxaca fills up months ahead for Día de Muertos and prices spike. If you are sorting your October 31 and November 1 nights yourself, book them today.
Cancellation policy
- Up to September 15
- 90% refund
- September 16 to October 15
- 50% refund
- From October 16
- No refund. You can move your spot to next year's edition with a 20% penalty
How to get in
Limited spots
- 1
Register
You leave your contact details and you're on the list. One minute.
- 2
Conditions
You read what the challenge takes and confirm you'll arrive with the fitness, the bike and the gear. If you have doubts, we help you assess yourself before deciding.
- 3
Payment
You secure your spot by paying online. It's a challenge that takes preparation —fitness, bike and gear are yours— and if you have questions, we're happy to help you figure out if it's your moment. Refunds follow the cancellation policy.
- 4
Onboarding
You complete your profile —Strava, health, gear and logistics— and get the GPX, the hotels and the WhatsApp group. Before October 1.
October 24 – November 2, 2026
Ten days. Six stages.
Starting at Rutas Café Ciclista.
Av. Michoacán 128, Condesa, Mexico City · @rutascafe.cc · +52 55 3758 0172