Mexico
Biking through the Legends of Colonial Villages

For current details on this trip, please visit this bike tour page on our new website at
Colonial Mexico Bike Tour: Bike Beyond Boundaries

New website home page: Bike Beyond Boundaries

Start with a 450 year old hacienda and a bike. Soon, you will find yourself immersed in the fascinating artist's colony of San Miguel de Allende. From there you can explore the Mexican cradle of independence at Dolores Hidalgo, and the beautiful silver city of Guanajuato. Along your journey you will visit the lovely Sanctuary church villages and the breathtaking wide open range lands of Colonial Mexico, all highlighted by the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Sierra Madre.

This is the Mexico of legend at its most authentic and most charming

Step back in time and experience the elegance of another era, to a place filled with romance, tranquility, and laughter. Enjoy the sanctuary of a private 450 year-old former hacienda, located midway between San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato in the beautiful colonial heart of Mexico. The hacienda is located in a sleepy, safe village, with more than 50 rooms and 40,000 square feet under roof, and surrounded by 10 walled-in acres filled with lush gardens.

Mexico: Biking through the Legends of Colonial Villages Tour Quick Info

Tour Type	Bike/Hotel
Accommodations	Hacienda las Trancas
Biking Tour Type	Group Guided (English)
Biking Level	1-5
Duration	8 days / 7 nights
Biking Distance	Distance per day varies 167km/105mi approx. total
Bike Rental	Bikes are included
Tour starts in:	Leon/Guanajuato (BJX), Mexico
Tour ends in:	Leon/Guanajuato (BJX), Mexico

Is Mexico safe? Read what the American owners of Hacienda las Trancas think. While you are there, look through the photos of the Hacienda, and read about the cuisine. Yum!
Read what a recent visitor to Hacienda las Tranca says

Day 1:

Breakfast
Arrive and transfer to Hacienda las Trancas.

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 2: San Miguel de Allende Railroad Station - San Miguel Viejo - Atotonilco Circle tour
Total biking: 17km/11mi - Easy to moderate

Breakfast
We leave the Hacienda in the morning, meet at BiciBurro, and begin traveling west in the BurroMobile. At the railroad station we begin our tour and after 2 kms we arrive at San Miguel Viejo, founded by Friar Juan de San Miguel in 1542. From there the Rio Laja and spectacular woods lead us on an enjoyable road to Atotonilco. On the way we visit the early 18th-century Chapel of San Miguelito. Optional: A visit to the hot springs for swimming. We will return by the old train route, to the railroad station and our BurroMobile.

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 3: La Gruta-Cruz del Palmar-Atotonilco-La Gruta
Total biking: 30km/19mi - Easy to moderate

Breakfast
Leaving the Hacienda in the morning in the BurroMobile (a Eurovan equipped with bike racks) we arrive at the Sanctuary of Atotonilco. From there we head west on a picturesque trail through lovely scenery and rustic Mexican communities to Cruz de Palmar. We return riding through Africa-like scenery to Atotonilco. Then "Escondido" (the hidden place) or "La Gruta" (the Grotto) a wonderful way to relax and renew yourself. We return to San Miguel in the BurroMobile, ready for siesta!

NOTE: Small sections of today's ride are more difficult. There are rocks that you must maneuver around, both uphill and downhill. You can walk your bike through these areas, or opt to ride in the BurroMobile which must take a different route.

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 4: Atotonilco (Ruta de la Independencia)
Total biking: 50km/31mi - Moderate

Breakfast
Leave Hacienda las Trancas and from there we ride towards Dolores Hidalgo. Halfway, we stop at the Hacienda del Gallinero for a spectacular view. Arriving in Dolores Hidalgo (the birthplace of Mexican Independence), we visit the Cathedral of "Nuestra Senora de los Dolores." Then, joining the Ruta de la Independencia. we head towards the 16th-century Hacienda "La Erre," the first hacienda built in Northern Guanajuato. Here, Father Hidalgo gave a mass in a grove of Mesquite trees initiating, in 1810, the struggle for an independent Mexico. After almost two centuries, these tree still stand! We then proceed toward the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, "place of thermal waters" in the Nahuatl language. We cycle along the original Camino Real, where by cactuses and from which we have a view of San Miguel de Allende. The 18th century Sanctuary was built by Luis Felipe Neri de Alfaro and contains famous frescos by Miguel Antonio Martinez de Pocasangre. OPTIONAL we go to La Gruta to relax in the hot springs, and enjoy snacks and drinks. From there we return via the Burro-Mobile

NOTE: Small sections of today's ride are more difficult. There are rocks that you must maneuver around, both uphill and downhill. You can walk your bike through these areas, or opt to ride in the BurroMobile which must take a different route.

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 5: Day at leisure

Breakfast
Full day at your leisure or optional tour to Guanajuato

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 6: Hacienda Jaral de Berrio
Total Biking 45km/28mi Moderate

Breakfast
Transfer Hacienda las Trancas to train station of San Felipe and ride to Hacienda Jaral de Berrio for a Mezcal tasting. Return via Hacienda del Cubo and Hacienda la Quemada to Hacienda las Trancas

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 7: Pozos
Total biking: 25km/16mi - Easy to moderate

Breakfast
Leaving Hacienda las Trancas in the morning in the Burro-Mobile we drive to a ghost town. Settled in 1565, when it was called Palmar de Vega, it was later it was re-named Ciudad Porfirio Diaz and now it is called Mineral de San Pedro de Pozos (the mine at San Pedro of the wells) or more simply, Pozos. Ride through a semi-desert landscape and a unique atmosphere surrounded by the ruins of a city whose glory days were at the end of the 19th century. Have you ever been in a mine? Let's go. It's a special experience.
Optional: A delicious lunch at an excellent traditional Mexican hotel in Pozos, and then siesta!!

Dinner and Overnight at Hacienda las Trancas

Day 8:

Breakfast
Depart Hacienda de Trancas

Changes:

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary details, published times, and accommodations due to weather, local conditions, organization necessity or safety concerns.

Requirements (Level 1-5):

Level: 1-5; almost all off-road with some wide open single track

Number of Participants:

min. 2, max. 16 participants
The whole hacienda is guaranteed for the exclusive use of our guests with a minimum of 8 persons.

Support Vehicle:

Please Note: Due to the terrain, it is not always possible for the support vehicle to be just behind the bikers. The guides carry cell phones in case of emergencies.

Photo Credits:

Melissa Adams - WordGeisha, Ink
Steve Zdawczynski - Steve Z Photography