Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta: Cycling routes, Gravel, Road and more
What are the roads like in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias for Cycling?
While newcomers are generally apprehensive about the drivers in Mexico, in my experience cyclists are treated well and with a lot of respect.
Both Jalisco and Nayarit have a 1.5 meter passing distance law that motorists abide by. It is not uncommon to see a peloton of riders riding two abreast (which is legal in both states) and with motorists waiting patiently for an opportunity to overtake the group in the passing lane.
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Generally speaking, the road surfaces are pretty good. Since many of the rides pass through small towns, you do need to be prepared for changes in surface conditions which include cobblestone roads, dirt, and topes (speed bumps).
What are the must-do cycling climbs/routes?
Below I share one of my favorite Puerto Vallarta bike rides:
La Estancia and the Bakery Ride
A favourite among many local and visiting cyclists. This is an approachable yet challenging 30 km climb from Las Palmas to La Estancia.
Distance: 58 kilometres
Elevation gain: 1,250 metres
This bike ride starts in Las Palmas de Arriba (Las Palmas) (although you could of course make it a really long day and ride out and back up the valley from Bucerias to Las Palmas). From Las Palmas it’s a majestic climb into the heartland of Jalisco. The nature of the Sierra is an up and down profile that accumulates extra elevation and makes it a lot more challenging on the way back.
23 km into the climb you will arrive at a large bridge. You absolutely have to stop at the bakery here, either on the way up or the way back down, to sample the fresh mountain baked goods.
If you want extra kilometers, you could ride this from Bucerias/Puerto Vallarta as shown below:
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
I live and am based from Bucerias, so you’ll see these rides are based from there. Bucerias is a 45 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. Consider basing yourself in Bucerias and opting into a weekly package with Bici Bucerias that will include your airport transfers. If you're based in Puerto Vallarta, for a small extra charge, we offer bike delivery and customer pick up for specific tours.
Our Customers’ Experience Puerto Vallarta Cycling Tours - A Gravel Bike Paradise
“Gravel Riding in Nayarit and Jalisco
Incredible gravel riding in the Nayarit and Jalisco area with Joel and Pepe. Wide-open roads in the mountains with great people, food, and cultural experiences. Great place to get fit and vacation in these challenging times. Highest marks for the VeloGuide team. Also, Jillian is fantastic at coordinating logistics. I shipped my bike ahead of the trip and she coordinated having the team put everything together and ready to maximize my days on the bike. Well done!
”
Retired Pro Cyclist Ian Boswell Training with Bici Bucerias and VeloGuide.
Puerto Vallarta Bike Rentals & Bici Bucerias Bike Tours
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Retired Pro Ian Boswell takes on the hardest climb in the world right here in Puerto Vallarta Mexico : Epic Road Rides