There were more hard mountain-riding days down to the Oaxaca coast. And sometimes the road was a bit narrow for the trucks and us. But in general we all got along together OK. The route we took worked out fine.

On the coast, the riding was easy but hot. We could make a lot of miles, but Nancy was really disliking the heat and humidity. So we climbed up into the mountains of Chiapas. Chiapas was all glorious, beautiful riding.

The huge climb from Tuxtla Gutierrez to San Cristóbal was quite challenging, but we did decide to take the new toll road, and it was a good climb. Too much traffic, but a fine shoulder and a nice road. I'm sure the old road would have been more interesting. The new road is completely even in its grade.

We took the bus over to Palenque because that road does have a terrible reputation with bike tourists - we personally know of several who have been accosted there. Nothing in our travels this year gave us a hint of these problems, but we just avoided the issues.

The last little camp stop on the way out was at the Lagunas de Colón, a few miles off-route, but well worth a night's stop.

We had no problems with San Cristóbal to the Mexican border, and no problems with the border crossing.