Day 1: Depart UK
Leave London Heathrow bound for Mexico City.
Day 2: Mexico City - Alvarado
After a full briefing we leave the frenetic streets of Mexico City and head for Alvarado. Our seven hour transfer sees us pass below the smoky volcano of Popocatepetl and the highpeak of Pico de Orizaba. We arrive at the coast and camp overnight at our starting point just south of Alvarado.
Day 3: Alvarado - San Isidro
Our first day of cycling takes us away from the Gulf of Mexico, through swamp and sugar cane fields, we travel through small towns and tropical farmlands. After a fairly flat, but hot and humid day in the saddle we make camp near the small village of San Isidro.
Approx cycling distance: 92km
Day 4: San Isidro - San Mateo Yetla
Leaving camp early, we head off on mainly flat roads for the foot of the mountains. After a lunchtime swim we reach the small town of Valle Nacional from where the road begins to climb gently through the dense jungle of the foothills. We set up camp alongside the river at San Mateo Yetla.
Approx cycling distance: 85km
Day 5: San Mateo Yetla – The Forest Camp
The toughest day of the challenge sees us climb from 250m altitude to 3000m, over just 57km. For most of the day we are alone, but for a few small villages, as we climb through jungle and pine forests to bare mountain slopes. We camp 9km downhill from the summit at 2,500m.
Approx cycling distance: 69 km
Day 6: The Forest Camp - Hill Camp
We set off from camp with a downhill section, before climbing for a few kilometres through coniferous forest. Welcome relief comes in an exhilarating 20km descent to our lunch stop near the town of Guelataeo. We have a further 6km descent to the Rio Grande before climbing again up to our beautiful hillside camp.
Approx cycling distance: 57 km
Day 7: Hill Camp - Zimatlan
Setting off early to attempt the remainder of the climb up to the spectacular views at La Cumbra. From here we have a fantastic descent to the outskirts of the city of Oaxaca. The rest of the day is fairly flat as we head for our evening's camp in an official campsite on the edge of Zimaltan.
Approx cycling distance: 75 km
Day 8: Zimatlan - Santa Ana
After heading out over rolling plains we have lunch at the top of a gradual climb. The afternoon sees a long descent, followed by a 17km climb through mountain slopes terraced with farmland, before a fun downhill to our mountainside campsite.
Approx cycling distance: 95km
Day 9: Santa Ana – Rio Colotapec
Setting out from camp we have a 25km descent to San Pedro from where we can see distant views of the mountain that stands between us and our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. After reaching today's summit we are rewarded with spectacular ocean views, from where we descend through the jungle to our wonderful riverside camp.
Approx cycling distance: 88km
Day 10: Rio Colotapec – Puerto Escondido
Our final ride is a mixture of good fast descents and several climbs with wonderful views of the ocean ahead. With our destination almost upon us we regroup to cycle together right down to the Pacific Ocean where we revel in what we have achieved. We then have a free afternoon to prepare for our celebration meal.
Approx cycling distance: 57 km
Day 11: Puerto Escondido
We have a free day to relax and rest those aching limbs.
Day 12: Puerto Escondido - Mexico City
We board an afternoon flight to Mexico City for our onward international connection to the UK.
Day 13: Mexico City - London
Arrive back in the UK.