Autor: Fabiola Corona

Grand opening of the Intrepid events calendar with the first edition of Rueda & Sueña.

Each event alludes to the activities or places that will be on the itinerary, this time it was Rueda & Sueña; “Rueda” along the great route in the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro and part of the Huasteca Potosina, and “Sueña” about the story behind the magic of Xilitla, a Magical Town known for the surrealist garden of Edward James.

Arrival Thursday 18:

At 6:00 pm we were welcomed at the Hotel Parador Vernal with a spectacular view of the colossal monolith of Peña de Bernal. At 8:00 pm we met for the informational dinner, introduced ourselves and met among the small select group. We got great attention! Bike check, decal sticking on the route, several details in the room, backpack, amphora, t-shirt, cap, yoga mat, I felt like I was on a first-class European tour. We were all very excited and eager to start the adventure!

Day 1:

It dawned fresh, having breakfast with a view of the rock watching the sunrise! Wow! How lucky we are to be able to live this experience! 130kms + 2,300mts awaited us Bernal-Jalpan, together and as a team, the idea was to make everyone reach the goal rolling and overcome their fears, limits, get out of the comfort zone fighting to overcome and achieve the goal! Almost 6hrs on the bike, making us a family of new friends, motivating us, and supporting us as if we were a team!

WE DID IT! That arrival at the Jalpan Mission was triumphant and epic! After having crossed the desert, the cold, tiredness, exhaustion, endless climbs, we reached the forest, at “ La Puerta del Cielo” (the door of heaven) we went down to the tropical jungle, heat, we went through everything, accompanied, together, so different but sharing the same love for roading, for knowing Mexico and experiencing something unique. Exhausted but happy to meet day # 1, we drank and ate like Cossacks, we got to know the square, the typical dishes, we talked with its people, we told our adventures, versions and reviews over and over again! To rest that the journey continues: Jalpan-Xilitla 80k + 1,300mts…

Day 2:

A hot day was waiting for us, lightly we left, back to the kiosk square towards the Landa Mission to continue learning about our history! Suddenly we got excited and ran into runs, imaginary flying goals, endorphins at their peak! What a facade! It seemed like a ghost town just to us. Super-level supplies: baguettes with serrano, cheese, apple and dehydrated tomato, olives, potatoes, dates, walnuts, orange, watermelon, just what my body asked for, what a delight!

We went from the tropical jungle to the arbutus forest, then to the pine and red earth to rise, the warm humid climate changed and the mist began, the cool, only remained to go down and down, it began to sparkle, we crossed the QRO-SLP limit , what views! The vegetation returned to the jungle, dense, green, so mystical among the fog, Chinese skin of emotion, the cold, of not knowing what will come! Fighting to stay together, all on the same train, curves, narrow, two security vans, ambulance, police, guides, finally after almost 4 hours we arrive at the surreal town, in the distance we hear Rocky’s song, under the kiosk is a table with, medalls, glasses and cider to toast!

The corks flew off, we clinked glasses and drank to celebrate life, know how to invest in it and live it fully! Smiles everywhere, soaked, tired but happy! Directly to Querreque to continue tasting local dishes, overlooking the jungle, the mist hid the mountains, it seemed like another country, when I heard the guapango that the man played, I felt proud to know that I was living this experience in my own Mexico.

Special farewell dinner at the Hotel El Castillo, our inn, where Sir Edward James lived. We slept in a museum, the exclusive place for us, Plutarco’s granddaughter (friend and partner of Sir Edward James) told us the story behind the “pozas”. Dinner tasted like glory to me, the wine was spectacular and the dessert more! The photos and videos made me relive this unforgettable weekend! We take great memories and friends with us! We met people, places, culture. I tried Zacahuil, the famous coffee, I got to know the surreal garden, its history, we made ties that now unite us by living this adventure together!

Waiting for the next Rueda & Vuela adventure in Valle de Bravo to combine mountain biking, hike to the snowy mountain of Tolcula and paragliding.