Mountain Bike Guatemala
APRIL NEWSLETTER
"it's more than mountain biking"
When I first arrived in Guatemala I was on a bicycle trip. I entered Petén from Belize through a border so relaxed that I had to turn around and return to ask for a stamp. From that moment almost everyone on the road greeted me.
I crossed the wet planes of Sayaxché, climbed the egg carton hills in Cobán and pushed my bike through Los Cuchumatánes. The Guatemalans were always there to provide support: honking their horn, smiling and waving as they passed. Children would run out of their yards in droves competing to give me high five.  Laguna peten iza circa 2006 Biking is Universal. Riding a bike is something everyone has done at some point, rich or poor. For many, it provides the first feeling of freedom and autonomy for a child: "Where do I want to go?" "Where am I going to explore today?"  Biking Connects On a bicycle you are accessible. People drop their defenses making it easy to say hello. Riding a bike allows you to see the bigger picture and expand your world. SOLIDARITY OF GUATEMALA CYCLING CLUBS DURING COVID-19
As Guatemala enters month 3 of national shutdown cycling clubs across Guatemala are stepping up to help the most vulnerable. In 2016 on a 3-month bikepacking trip in South America, I ran into the rainy season in Patagonia. I spent 5 days in a tent waiting out torrential storms on the edge of a fjord. I decided to go back to Guatemala and start guiding. I missed the camaraderie of mountain biking community in Guatemala, the numerous cycling clubs, the races, its people. After traveling a lot I finally had an idea I could believe in. read more…
foto: Daniel Perez
For us it has always been more than mountain biking. Riding a bicycle represents the maximum freedom to make decisions on your own, interpret and balance your own risk and determine your own destiny.
As the quarantine continues around the world this month on mtbguatemala.com we are sharing inspirational, and positive stories of cycling in Guatemala. The world is changing, the idea of traveling is not the same. Together we can use this moment not only as a time for reflection and personal growth, but also to build and demonstrate our connection to our communities as a whole.
THE LATEST FROM MTBGUATEMALA.COM This past month the team has been hard at work pivoting to website operations and writing. We had incredible season with over 180 tours with guests from over 20 countries. That's a lot of stories and photos to go through! We know you are longing to come ride with us- now you can! Albeit a bit more virtually 🙂
mtbguatemala.com has always been a resource for events, sights and learning more about Guatemala. This month guide Alex Saq´be has stepped up and helped us grow the Spanish section of the website with new articles and insight into the heart of the Mayan world.  TRIP REPORT CYCLE TOURING IN CHICHICASTENANGO Discover the territory of K'iche. Join our group as we traverse by bike ancient history, colorful landscapes and a living Mayan culture.  COMALAPA
Mayan town famously called the "Florence of the Americas". Their local cycling club promotes social responsibility with cycling.  LA PIEDRA MARIA TECÚN
Learn more about this mysterious ancient Mayan sacred site of the K'iche – located at 3200m in the mountains of Totonicapán. FUTURE TOURS Interested in being part of some of the first international groups to ride when we re-open? We are looking for riders interested in participating in a promotional trip this fall. Ride new routes and explore the frontier of mountain biking. Please contact us for more information.
"As in life, the more scared you are the harder things will be. When you let go you realize that you are just the rider. It's the bike that does the work."
Thank you for keeping in touch {{lead.first_name}}, we hope to see you soon in Guatemala!
-Brendan James
Director Mountain Bike Guatemala
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