CANCELLED Mexico More Backroads 2024 HH

Real Mexican-Yucatecan Culture 

Small Pueblos, Mayan Ruins, Cenotes (Underground Fresh water Swimming Holes - perfect for hot days!),

Fishing Villages, Gulf Coast Beaches, Flamingos, Colonial Architecture, Art, History, Food, Markets, Mexican Culture

14 Days, 10 days cycling,  Average day -70 km, Max day 90 km.

Total 730 km. 

January 17 - February 3, 2024 - includes additional travel days

This is a self supported PAYGO (pay as you go) cycle tour coordinated by Helen Hayes using a contractor.  As we cycle  the mostly flat peninsula, we will ride on paved and tree canopied roads, through fields of agave, pass by remnants of the henequen era and through contrasting Mayan villages. We will stop occasionally to climb a pyramid or bathe in an underground (cenote) pool of fresh water.  We will stay in basic hotels some nights and colonial hotels on others - whatever is available at our daily destination.

For this tour, there are no coordinator costs added to the participants fee and Helen will pay for her own PAYGO expenses -  accommodation, food and transfers. However, participating as a guide with the contractor, she is exempt of the guide fees.

Each day we will pass through several little villages where we will rest in the town square, or zocalo, eat authentic fresh Mexican tacos or quesadillas or shop at the market for fresh produce & bakery items to carry with us.  In the evenings we will have the choice to eat out as a group or wander the village to discover what interests us individually.

We will depart early each morning to beat the heat of the day which will run in the mid 20's to 30 degrees C. Humidity could be high on occasions but a warm steady breeze along the ocean will keep us refreshed and part of the trip promises a tailwind.

Our Mexican guides will be with us when we arrive in Merida, where our adventure begins. (See more information regarding getting there, below). They will be responsible for our hotel reservations, organize meals and stops in the pueblos, translate Spanish, change our flats, help with bike repairs and find a doctor if needed. They will guide us through the back country of Mexico avoiding busy highways and get us safely through cities while sharing parts of Mexico that most tourists would never dream of visiting. 

There is a minimum of 10 participants needed to run the tour with two Mexican Guides. The contractor fee is $1200 USD  ($1680 CAD per participant at today's exchange rate).  If there are fewer than 7 participants, the tour will run with one Mexican guide and Helen will take on the second position of riding sweep and will carry the second walkie talkie set to keep the group together.

A 10% contingency is included to cover exchange rate increases and unforeseen expenses incurred by the group - ex. bike delays caused by the airlines that affects the entire group. The unused portion of the contingency will be returned to the participants.  

The fee does not include air fare, extra travel days, bus transfers, travel insurance or our accommodations which we will pay for individually at each destination. Mexican hotels in the  country towns are basic at $40 - $75 per night and when shared with a room-mate are even more economical.

All participants require travel insurance and a valid passport. EVCC covers liability insurance for travel in Mexico. You will be responsible for providing a copy of your travel insurance to the coordinator.

The amount of $1850 ($1680 + 10%) wil be collected by the EVCC and distributed as follows:

1. A commitment of $315 is payable upon registration and will hold your spot until there are a minimum of 7 participants. The balance of $1535 is due and payable to the EVCC by December 15, 2023 and can be paid by charge card or etransfer (which is preferable & saves the 3% processing fee).
2. In addition to the Guide Fees as outlined above,  participants will need cash (PAYGO) for food & drinks (approx. $500), accommodation (approx. $400 shared), plus miscellaneous (approx. $300) entrances, transfers and gifts as we travel. There are ATMs in the bigger centers where you will be able to withdraw cash as necessary. Charge cards often are accepted in the larger centers, but most of the small hotels and restaurants will only take cash.    

Once the tour is viable with 7 participants, you will need to sign the Bike Mexico waiver which will be sent to you in a separate email. 

The event allows for 12 cyclists (including our guides) which is an easy number to manage in the small towns with restricted  accommodations.   Once you sign up, more information will be sent in a confirmation email and a pre-trip social will be held in early January.

Cancellation Policy

• Up to 30 days before the tour departs, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $25 and $10 charge card fee.  Participants who cancel will receive their $280 non-refundable contractor deposit if a replacement can be found.  

• Once the full registration fee (deposit plus balance = $1850) has been paid, a full refund subject to the above will be available only if a replacement can be found.

• In the unlikely event that the tour is entirely cancelled, your payment will be fully refunded minus charge card fees.

• Costs such as air-line tickets, costs incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness and related other costs incurred by a member but not included in the EVCC trip fee are liabilities born by the participant and are not the responsibility of the EVCC.

Airfare & Travel Options:

We will fly into Cancun, spend one night and then take the bus to Merida where we will meet our guides.  The recommended flight is Westjet WS2313 for $262.28 on Jan 17  at 9:20 AM. Note also that Westjet charges $80 for a bicycle. Please do not make airline reservations until we have a minimum group registered.

There is one extra day built in here for unexpected delays such as bikes not arriving on time. The extra day could be spent in Cancun cycling the pathways or by taking the to ferry to Isla Mujeres or touring the Yucatan Cultural capital city of Merida.

At the end of the tour, there is also an option to stay longer and ride around the Island of Cozumel where there is a bike only paved route around the entire island.  You would need to plan to stay longer at your own expense, but it would be a great finale. Suggested Westjet return option is February 5th at 2:45 for $268.53 OR February 6 for $368.37 at 2:45.

If you have any questions, my phone number is 403-978 8550 or you can email me at hlnhys@gmail.com.

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