The rainy season in the Chapala Real Estate area have had a surprisingly pleasant benefit: pleasant bike rides through extraordinarily lush and green scenery. Bike rides are and activity which allows you to enjoy a closer contact with the setting around you, and are especially pleasant during non-rainy half of the day, which is that much greener because of the daily rain this season brings.
The late summer months are especially ideal for enjoying a bike ride in the area known as the Ribera de Chapala. The rain of this season has covered the mountainsides into a complete and beautiful green. The road sides as well are all that much greener; an excellent example of this are the roads in Mezcala de la Asunción, which were formerly the main access to the village, but now provide a scenic alternative to the highway.
Located conveniently close to the Chapala Real Estate area - just a 30 minute drive from Chapala, you can get to this village easily by car, and then take a tour of these ancient paths, which follow the lakeside during certain stretches, and join the neighboring villages.
They are perfect for a bike ride, since they are long, quiet, and only sparsely populated. Along the ride, you can see large tracts of chayote plantations, children and youths leading their donkeys with their load of firewood, and some others leading cows. You will see children and adults alike enjoying the freedom of living outdoors.
It’s a real experience to travel these roads from which you can see virtually untouched lakefront, or those which are separated from the road and each other by rustic stone barriers, giving the impression of an earthly paradise.
For anyone who enjoys mountain biking, there is a more difficult road heading further east; the road begins to rise with the land, heading towards San Pedro Itziscán. There are several miles of road which any mountain biker would enjoy, especially considering the added benefit of the spectacular view of the lake and the mountains.
To arrive to this villaje, you take the Venustiano Carranza Street from the gas station in Chapala to Pepe Guizar Avenue, and follow this road until the intersection with the extension (prolongación) of González Galla Avenue. There you turn left to take the highway towards Santa Cruz de la Soledad. After passing through the village of Santa Cruz, you arrive to San Nicolás de Ibarra, then to Tlachichilco and finally to Mezcala. The arrival to Tlachichilco is marked by a large statue of Christ which stands exactly where the highway turns off toward Poncitlán; to arrive to the town center, you need to turn right and follow the signs.
Chapala Real Estate will offer a bike route perfect for anyone who enjoys biking – whether a serious cyclist, or someone who just enjoys a relaxing Sunday morning bike ride. For more information about life in Chapala and finding your ideal Chapala home, contact us.
