Sunday 29th June 2025 Mapastepec to Tonala
Well all good, managed to survive the night without crapping myself, that would have been fun, as we shared a double bed last night, I can assure you, Bingo was way over the other side. Still felt a bit dodgy, tried to eat some breakfast, that didn’t go down well at all, so left it all, Bingo was dismayed he had spent so much time preparing it all, while I was doing the normal drama queen routine. Made sure I had all the stuff handy for an emergency evacuation, then we are off, just after 5:30 in the morning.

Always the same got a tough day today 75 miles, not much climbing but going to be a tough one, first thing I need to drink plenty of water, do not want to dehydrate, gulping it down like it going out of fashion, really not my thing drinking while riding, but really concerned I may dehydrate, because I have not eaten anything for a day. Just keep a steady pace, quite difficult in the morning when you are feeling crap and know you have miles to do, blank all that negative stuff and accentuate the positives. While i was walling in my self pity I forgot to mention that Steve had another good night, they have removed his ventilator tube and he is communicating a little, still a long way to go, but hopefully on the road to recovery.

We are heading towards Tonalá, like I said earlier miles away, but getting my head around it, been doing this for a while now, so getting the hang of it, keep drinking and steady away, that’s the story morning glory, that will help kill a few Oasis tracks while I feel sorry for my little self, before I know it singing my head off on an empty road, with only one care in the world, that’s not to poo myself, when I relax, sorry Mum. Keep drinking the water tastes foul but I need it, noticed that there does not seem to be many places to stop, lovely scenery all green, but no shops or service stations, pull up to Bingo let him know I have already finished one bottle of water so need another soon. Find a little place Los Mangos, filled up my water bottles and have a coffee, feel I bit better, I think, quite pleased done about 23 miles, only 50ish to go, what can go wrong. Good thing is the water tastes nice for the first 5 or so miles soon gets warm, getting into the feel of it now just going to be one of the days, stay strong and dig deep, every miles helps.

Think I was in a day dream most of the morning, one minute was having a coffee the next I am another 20 miles down the road, always going to be the same, when your feeling a bit under the weather, the sun breaks through the clouds, pushing the temperature up in to the high 30’s. Stop again on the 42 mile mark, service station, or the local bar, we could not make it out, but some young lads definitely enjoying a beer at 10:00 in the morning, we settled for a coffee and ice cream, well pleased kept that down, going to be all right I think. Pushed on only 35miles to go today, trying to calculate how many songs is that, come to the conclusion far to many, have to reconsider that strategy. So went into my semi hibernation mode just pedal and try to keep upright, pretty easy here cause every 25 miles or so we have to go through a police check, show your passport and visa documents. The lady today, I use that term lightly, she even scared Bingo, when she yelled “Passport” woke me up as well, she was definitely not on a Tinder scoping patrol, with a face like a pickled onion she did nothing for the Mexican tourist board. Oh well I am back in the land of the living, just so have to thank her for that, running out of water again, so need to stop and fill up.

Only one little climb today, so we got that baby out of the way, then pulled in a little cafe / shack, no coffee so had a soft drink see how that goes, all good so try two Modelo beers, make or break time I thought, only 12 miles to go, felt good, no untoward bodily actions so well pleased, just glided into the Tonalá, nothing booked but knew there was a hostel right on the main road, all booked in.

Need to rest, then try and eat, nice shower, wash the cycling gear, then venture out for a bite to eat, no refried beans for me tonight, though I love them don’t think they agree with me at the moment. So back to the egg and chips for me, always good, Bingo had the rice and shrimp things, then to the supermarket. Mate that was a walk after doing 75 miles, all I need was to troop around a supermarket, glad I did though, decided to get some nice rolls, cheese, tomato’s and onions, going to have a picnic in the hostel tonight, nice basic food that’s what I need, then cheekily flagged down a taxi, I am knackered.

One tough day today, but think I am over the little stomach upset, so all good.