SamCancun wrote I wonder if some of you know some other bike routes you might recommend, including those of greater length.
What do you find along the way, or when you reach the end of the trail at Isla Blanca, Rivergirl? Any good beaches, or nice places to rest or have a light meal?
V - If you go to my blog (link in my sig) and search for Isla Blanca there are at least 3 posts with photos and descriptions. One has a Google Earth map I think. There are some nice beaches up there and some terrible dinky little restaurants.
For those who'd like to see what awaits them after a fairly long, OW, bike ride to Isla Blanca, here are some of Rivergirl's photos. http://www.hiddencancun.com/rivergirl/2007/07/22/isla-blanca-before-its-too-late/ http://www.hiddencancun.com/rivergirl/2008/07/21/isla-blanca-my-favorite-beach/
LET'S ROLL! My interest in cycling routes was in anticipation of getting a bike, as I hadn't owned one in the last 47 years. But, about a week ago, I got one with the intention of varying the exercise I do. When you haven't been on a bike in a long time it's a great thrill to feel yourself flying along on your own power! Yesterday, I rode in the Puerto Cancun area, which has lots of good roads, and NO traffic, as it's a mixed residential/commercial project under development, with good paved roads already in. Today, I tried the Hotel Zone "Cyclopista", for the first time, as suggested by the other posters. "Whipping along there!"- I thought- I was repeatedly passed by other cyclists with road bikes (mines a kind of hybrid- not really a mountain bike, not really a street bike, either, so it's not very fast, really). Now, I look forward to trying out the ride suggested to me on this forum, a RT to Isla Blanca!
RIDING TO ISLA BLANCA Early this AM, I tried the route suggested by Samcancun, riding to the end of the paved road portion of the route to Isla Blanca. I could have gone further, but I didn't want to do all the maintenance that would have come with getting onto dusty roads with the bike. By the way, bikes aren't what they used to be! In spite of costing just 950 pesos, and weighing 15kg, heavy by today's standards, it's amazing how easy it is to pedal. It seems as though just the weight of my legs is enough to push the pedals down! I took the road past Puerto Juarez, on the way up to Isla Blanca. After I got passed Puerto Juarez, I was passed by just two cars, not counting the fixed route, taxi/vans that run from the Crucero. On the way back, I took the highway into town, which also wasn't bad, in terms of traffic. The road itself is mostly in good condition. Keeping to a constant 70RPM (140 thrusts with the legs, each minute), I made the trip back to the entrance to the hotel zone in 35 minutes. Although my bike is hybrid, as I pointed out, earlier, and is nothing compared to more sophisticated bikes, costing more, it has 21 gears and is, as I said, extremely easy to pedal. I've found it, so far, to be a great way to exercise!, as well as being a lot of fun!
You should get a medal for riding a bike that heavy...lots of extra work that is. My mountain bike is only 18 pounds in it's kinda heavy. My daughter has a road bike that has a 2 pound frame.
Better bikes Yeah, RG, I can imagine wanting to trade up, after a time. I'd probably struggle to keep up with you, on a ride. But, for now, this bike seems the coolest, because of what it allows me to do. One of my reasons for buying something inexpensive was so that I wouldn't weep if it were stolen! I did get a good lock and chain, but this is Mexico, and the bike could vanish, lock and all, in seconds. Having tried this route, suggested by Samcancun, and seconded by you, I think I might consider another, starting at the HZ entrance, riding the length of the HZ, and back to the start. Very early AM, it should be a beautiful ride of about 60 KM, I suppose, with not too much traffic to contend with.
You've got me there. When I take my mountain bike out I can't lock it up and leave it anywhere. I'm either on it or it's here at home.
