Estrellas de La Linea

On a quest to forever search out the fresh we schemed up a trip down memory lane retracing the now defunct United Fruit Co.'s railroad line connecting Guatemala City with the fertile plains of the Montagua River basin to the once booming Banana Republic port town of Puerto Barrios.




We started just outside Guatemala City and rode "La Linea" or the railroad line about 55kms over trestles through tunnels and through countless farms and villages. Needless to say they haven't see too many pale faces around these parts and we certainly stick out.



It's been a pretty cool ride so far seeing all the old school narrow gauge train stations, water towers, and dusty towns La Linea used to service.



We made it just outside Guastatoya or El Progreso. Tomorrows objective is Zacapa, home of our favorite rum.

Stay tuned.....
Mateo

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Guatemala to Hondruas Charity Ride

Were gearing up for a first time charity ride following the now defunct United Fruit Railroad line from Guatemala City out to Copan las Ruinas Honduras. We ship out on the 6th of March and will take 6 days to get there.


The railroad line heads east out of the Capital and steadily drops out of the mountains on its way to Hondras. Much of the ride follows the Sanarate river and then the larger Montagua River basin. The Montagua winds its way through the beautiful semi-arid topography teeming amazing bird life, Gila Monsters and other unique animals.


The line once an economic lifeline connecting Guatemala City and the banana fields with the Carribean port, is now a defunct corridor with relic tunnels and trestles perfect for riding.
This is pioneer trip. No one has endeavored to ply this route before. We will use this unique adventure as a fund raising event for the Global Vision International Pheonix program.
if you are interested in joining the ride you can either get in touch with us at Old Town Outfitters, or GVI directly.
Get out and ride, come ride with us and ride for a good cuase.
See ya on the trail!

Old Town Outfitters Annual Christmas Party

Yesterday we celebrated our annual Christmas party with a trip out to the local hotsprings then a big ole southern BBQ.


Welber working the grill. All smiles as normal

We had more meat than should be allowed and the litros of gallo seemed to be limitless.


It's always a great time when you get the crew together for food drinks and a massive cornhole tourney!

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The Northern Traverse Part II

After some R&R at Lake Atitlan we loaded up the team bus and headed out to the mountains.


We dropped into the town of Todos Santos and then climbed our way back out to the plateau at 3300 mts.



This part of Guatemala has some of my favorite riding. It's rocky, craggy, steep and punishing. The northern traverse takes us pretty far out there through towns no tourists ever really get to experience. Except us of course.



We stopped in for the night in the tiny village of 7 Pinos where we stayed in a traditional community hostel. It was an amazing experience living with a family and eating at the table with them.
We even learned how to pat out tortillas!


The views are huge out here.


A 10km grinder up centuries old original Mayan highway.

A few big and bumpy climbs separate valleys and villages each new climb leads to a new downhill and different Mayan group.




One of the last big descents as we continue moving to the east down to the Rio Chixoy.

With 12 days of riding and more than 600 kilometers of Guatemalan soil under the tires, this is no doubt the best way to see ye country.

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KE Adventures "La Ruta Maya"

The KE Guatemala bike season has started! A group of 12 riders landed the 20th of November and we've started making our push across this beautiful country


We start with a couple rides in the Antigua valley. First tackling the Agua volcano ride, then grinding our way up into the mountains on the north side of the valley. Check out acatenango and fuego from the trails up above earth lodge.


After climbing out of the Antigua valley we start a 2 night 3 day push tirades lake atitlan. It's a mix of amazing terrain as we cross the hills and ravines that separate Antigua from atitlan.


One of the highlights is this turn of the century flour mill converted to a B&B. It's a super cool place to overnight on the way to the lake. A throw back to American homestead life.


Talking about throw backs! The trails take us into parts of guate that are like the living pages of a National Geographic Magazine.


We finally made it down to the lake after a few days of sweet riding. The famed "Santa Cat" trail is one of the crown jewels of the atitlan riding experience.



With 5 days of riding under the tires, this is the view from my hammock on our very much needed rest day at atitlan. Stay tuned for the second half of the ride blog.
Mateo


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The Todos Santos Singletrack Drop

Heres a little jewel of a trail that drops into Todos Santos.

A Sacred Ride

We've been out on the road now for about a week with the guys at Sacred Rides. We started in Huehuetenango and climbed up to the roof of Guatemala and then worked our way down to Todos Santos.



The trail drop is pretty amazing passing through beautiful valleys and sheep pasture land. What comes down must unfortunately also come back up.



Here we are on the climb back out of the Todos Santos valley. The peaks above us are Central Americas highest non volcanic mountains.




Back on top of the plateau the trails are rocky and super technical, just our kind of zoo.




We spent two days up in the altiplano riding at 11,000ft. The rides are super fun and punishing at the same time. It's the kind of place that you better ring your "A" game to come and ride.



The sunsets up on top of the mountains are amazing. It's time for a couple of cold beers and a look out over the horizon at tomorrows ride.

If you need a dose of arse kickin riding get in touch with us at Old Town Outfitters and well get ya out on the trail!
See ya soon

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