Epilogue

Dogs barked throughout the night outside the Airbnb, but I didn't miss my tent or air mattress. The next morning I Zoomed into my work meeting, and then I rode to Bicimundo for a bike box. I gave them my unused CO2 cartridges in return.

I began uploading stats and photos in Oaxaca, but it took several weeks to edit and post the final reports. I posted an outcome to the Facebook group and thanked Mark & Hannah. Despite the challenges and difficulties, it was a rewarding route. I even thanked Duane for the fantastic music. He had been DJ-ing in Mexico City before my tour, and I was disappointed that I didn't get to see him.

Michele and I enjoyed incredible Oaxacan food and culture. In the market we drank tejate, a traditional protein-rich maize and cacao beverage. Our favorite restaurant was Adamá, which served Middle Eastern fare. We enjoyed Boulenc for breakfast. Michele treated me to a steam bath and massage, and we greeted Patrick when he arrived on Saturday. It was great to compare notes and trade stories. Michele's concerns about never knowing where I were justified when Patrick mentioned that he always travelled with a tracker. The three of us closed down the town on a mezcal-fueled bender.

The flight home was smooth, and I had no problem with the bike box or getting an Über back to my place. It took several weeks to clean and pack up my gear

A few weeks before I left for this tour, I had applied for the Silk Road Mountain Race next August in Kyrgyzstan. I thought about the SRMR frequently in Mexico. Like the TransMexico, the Silk Road is rough and rugged. It requires camping every night and there's limited water, power, and food. The grades are steep and brutal and the elevations are astronomical. Most of the route is off-road, and the old Soviet roads are in bad shape. The day after I arrived in Oaxaca I heard that I had been accepted. The TransMexico was a difficult tour. Come August I'll be taking difficulty to the extreme.

Me and Michele at Terraza Los Amantes in Oaxaca

Oaxacan street art

Oaxacan street art

The Duane Train

The Duane Train

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Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

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