Off-Day in Zacatecas

Off-Day in Zacatecas
January 4, 2022

I slept well last night in room 202 of the gorgeous Hotel Casa Faroles. I woke up with the light at 7am. I was exhausted. I worked on yesterday’s report and then shaved and did laundry. The hotel offered complimentary breakfast and I enjoyed huevos rancheros with bread, coffee, and orange juice up on the top level. 

I googled bike shops and rode over to Zacatecas Bike Store. I passed a huge stadium on the way there. At the location there was a sign and images of tires and bike stuff on the side of what seemed like someone’s house. Nothing was open or happening. I then rode to The Bike Lab. I passed by the cemetery and flower market. Bike Lab was able to sell me a new water bottle cage, but they didn’t have my size inner tube. I then rode over to Bicipartes San Martin, where I bought a 700 x 1-1/4” tube. I really needed a 1-3/8”-1-1/2" and hoped that I didn’t need it. Google routed me back along a busy harrowing highway, much like last night. I found a large piece of fabric that grabbed and brought with me. 

Back at the hotel I tore the fabric into squares. I proceeded to wash all of my panniers and bike with my new rags. After the wash I lubed and cleaned my chain. I installed my new water bottle cage and bike computer. I hadn’t realized that it was a wired version. I repaired my inner tube which had a large hole. My front tire had gone flat from my morning errands so I fixed that as well. Finally I was ready to go explore the city.
 
According to the sign coming into town, Zacatecas has 150,000 inhabitants. It’s history is tied to silver mining. In the first quarter of the 17th century Zacatecas was producing twenty percent of New Spain’s silver. I admired the gorgeous architecture throughout the stunning city. All of the streets were paved with cut square stones. It was one of the hilliest cities I’d ever been to. The architecture, public monuments and art were extraordinary. I really felt like I was in Spain. I cycled all over town, and eventually started trying to avoid the hills. Some were so steep that I had to walk. I rode to all of the major cathedrals. I found a few parks, gardens, and plazas. There was a book market not far from my hotel. I found an open market near a grouping of old smokestacks. I was delighted to find the old Aqueducto del Cubo. It was obvious that I was a tourist. I was the only one in shorts and sandals. Everybody else had on long pants and jackets. 

I stumbled upon La Bodeguilla Victoria. There was a nice group of people hanging out front. I ordered tapas with a few Victorias and margaritas with Zacatecano Añejo mezcal. 


Hotel Casa Faroles

Hotel Casa Faroles

Zacatecas

Political Monument

Beautiful Park

Aqueducto del Cubo

Zacatecas alley

La Bodeguilla Victoria


Location: Zacatecas, Mexico

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