Bike magazine correspondent Danielle Baker has weaved quite the tall tale about cycling in Mexico–one that involves her retired parents, federales, drug gangs, and wild dogs. “On my first bike ride with the ladies this year we rode past a shelled out house, where a gunfight between one of the gangs and the federales had killed thirteen people, and two roadside shrines for other gang members who had been assassinated in their vehicles. One of the families in the village had their son abducted and held for ransom; he was returned for 100 pesos ($10). All of this happens, and daily life goes on, just like when you hear about a robbery on the news in the safety of your living room. My mom is also very reassuring. On our ride she pointed out a guy and said, ‘I think he’s one of the bad guys. You don’t have to sleep with him, but maybe just be really nice to him.’ Uh, thanks mom.” To read more, click here.

Photo courtesy Bike magazine, Baker