Day 128: Mazatlan to 40D Quota

October 28-October 31

Mazatlan to Durango via Mexico Highway 40D: Quota

Just days after a trip highlight in La Paz, the Philtrons and I have had yet another trip highlight on Mexico Highway 40D: "The Quota" from Mazatlan to Durango. Quotas are toll roads, and to bicycle tourists that means excellent pavement, lower traffic, wide shoulders, and, if the road goes between Mazatlan and Durango, unbelievable scenery and North America's highest suspension bridge. 

The road was extremely grueling. Maybe we were a little soft from being off the bikes for so long, but I think we can safely say that riding from sea level to 9,000 feet over the course of 200 kilometers through sticky jungle heat is indeed an intense ride. What made it more difficult was that we were uncertain of what services were available to us because the road is 1 year old and there is little development along it, and by its nature of a toll road there are few exits to the pueblos along the way. So we carried about 10 liters of water each at the beginning, almost 20 pounds of water weight. 

What made up for the uncertainty and difficulty were two things: exploration and beautiful scenery. In fact they more than make up for the difficult conditions. I will elaborate with photos and descriptions.

The Philtrons' photos are even more impressive, and I recommend you check out their blog for these days because the scenery is so incredible. 

October 28, 2014

Day 128: 32 miles

6000 Miles!

The quota has sexy shoulders and the smoothest pavement. A cyclist's dream.

Mountainous jungle. So hot and humid it was one of the top 5 sweatiest moments of my life.

Pueblo in the mountains. Note the bridge in the middle of the photo is the "Libre" the non-toll road from Mazatlan to Durango.

First of many, many tunnels along the toll road.

Jason and Daisy conquering the hill.

We wild camped 32 miles from town at this spot.

And so we concluded our first day on the Mexican mainland. We did fewer miles than I anticipated, but I'm not complaining because the hills and heat are too intense to go any further.