La Bici-ruta de Merida

Hola loyal reader! The bici-ruta, the bicycle route is one of many cool things about Merida en Domingo, the every Sunday celebration of life, here in Merida. Bruce and Mary have done the bici-ruta for a couple of years but were inspired to today by the opening of a tienda de renta de bicicletas just a couple blocks away. So this morning they walked over to this bike rent shop and shelled out 30P/$2.45US  for an hour and a half of bicycling. Oh, BTW, Bruce says Gracias for all the commentary from readers on last week’s medical refugee post. Maybe he should get political more often. Nah, that would require too much research for his taste, so no te procupes, no worries on that account. As usual for those of you who prefer to read these posts from the original blog-site, please click here.

The new bike rental shop, right on Paseo between calle 47 and 45.

Getting our rentals lined up with Francisco, the owner of the shop.

Mary at the northern end of the bici-ruta at the intersection of Paseo Prolongacion and Circuito Colonias. It is commonly and unfortunately known as the “Burger King” glorieta, roundabout.

Although they close traffic to motorized traffic from  Paseo Prolongacion at the Burger King glorieta to the finale at Parque Ermita Santa Isabel, there are a number of intersections that need to be controlled . Here is one of many city workers involved in setting up and running the bici-ruta every Sunday.

Just south of the “Burger King” glorieta is El Monumento a La Bandera, The Monument to the Flag.

One of many kiddie attractions along Paseo Montejo.

The view looking south down Paseo, the Champ…, Ok, I won’t do it this time.

Another testament to the high cultural IQ of Merida. This is art instruction for kids, once again on Paseo.

Pretty fancy toy, an electric car.

Giving a plug to my bud, Dave the Brit, here. The bici-ruta takes a right turn at El Remate de Paseo and runs by Dave’s deli before it takes a left onto Calle 60, one of the main drags of Merida.

La bici-ruta takes us by beautiful Santa Lucia Parque.

Art in the park at Parque de La Maternidad.

We’re coming into El Corazon, The Heart of Merida.

Catedral Idelfonso, completed in 1599, is the oldest cathedral on the North American continent.

West across the street from the cathedral is La Plaza Principal.

The bici-ruta takes a right on calle 63 and passes the original Casa Montejo (now a bank). You can see the Montejos, the founding fathers of Merida, standing on the skulls of the vanquished Maya. Locals tell us that local artisans did much of the work, but not the skulls part.

After walking our bikes around La Plaza Principal and by Casa Montejo we take a left on Calle 62 and continue biking.

The bici-ruta takes a right on Calle 69 and passes by beautiful Parque San Juan.

Here we are, waiting on traffic on the west side of Parque San Juan. In the distance you can see the south gate to the original city of Merida.

Local chess masters instruct youngsters on the fine point of the game of kings at Parque Ermita Santa Isabel.

Cartoon characters are leading the dancing at Parque Ermita Santa Isabel which is the southern termination of La Bici-ruta.

Now that we have a bike rental so close, we will have to make a habit of this. It is a great way to cover a lot of ground and see so much of what Merida has to offer at Merida en Domingo. Once again we are so happy to have made this wonderful city our home.

Thanks for visiting, gentle reader. As you know, Bruce loves comments so please comment away. Hasta luego!