Pursue Your Thrill: Meet Oaxaca MTB Legend, Buca
Written by Kyle von Hoetzendorff
José Luis Rebolledo, AKA “Buca” (short for Buccaneer, take that how you will), if you’re lucky enough to be in his orbit, was our local fixer on a recent trip down to Oaxaca this past spring. He’s a cyclist, hospitality and tour operator, TranSierra Norte member, and someone who’s deeply passionate about spending every second he can in the outdoors. Buca’s love of mountain biking started back when he was just eight years old, and it’s something that he’s been living and breathing for ever since. And not just for the riding itself, but for all of the experiences that come with it. For Buca, a big part of riding is the people, the conversations, and the connections that come with being out there together.
We caught up with Buca to ask him about how he got into the Oaxaca bike scene, his favorite local trails and watering holes, and what it really means to be part of the Oaxaca mountain biking community.
Q: So Buca, tell us about yourself.
A: I was born in Mexico City and grew up in Puebla. I’ve been visiting Oaxaca to ride since 2013, and for the past three years I’ve been living here, building a life around the mountains and everything they offer.
I’ve always been drawn to connecting riding with something deeper—not just the trails themselves, but the experience of being in nature and sharing energy with the forest as a living being. For me, riding is a way to connect with the landscape, the communities, and something beyond just the sport.
Q: What do you hope to see happening in the region in the coming years?
A: I’d love to see a more unified trail-building effort, something like an association that brings communities, builders, and operators together to keep developing trails in a sustainable way. If we can align efforts, we can help local communities benefit more from tourism while preserving what makes this place special.
On the riding side, I’d love to see younger generations pushing the level. Riders like Isaac del Toro and Gerardo Ulloa are showing what’s possible. With better support, structure, and investment, there’s no reason Mexico couldn’t produce top-level XC or DH champions.
Q: What do you aspire to, or hope for yourself personally?
A: I want to keep building something meaningful through riding not just trails, but experiences that connect people with Mexico in an authentic way. If we can grow this while creating opportunities for local communities and putting Mexico on the global MTB map, that’s the goal.
Q: What’s your favorite trail?
A: It’s hard to choose just one, but I really enjoy the longer, raw descents in the Sierra Norte trails that start high in the mountains and take you all the way down into the valleys. If I had to name a couple, Cruz de Estacas in Etla and Peña Prieta in Ixtepeji are definitely among my favorites.
Q: Do you have a favorite time of year to ride?
A: Right after the rainy season. The trails are in great condition, everything is green, and the dirt has amazing grip. It’s when the mountains feel the most alive.
Q: What’s your favorite meal in Oaxaca?
A: You can’t go wrong with a good mole, but after a long ride, something simple like tlayudas or memelas always hits the spot.
Q: What’s your favorite nightspot in Oaxaca?
A: I enjoy places that feel local and relaxed, somewhere you can have a good mezcal, good food, and good conversation. Oaxaca has a lot of spots like that if you know where to look.
Q: Where do you want to ride outside of Oaxaca and why?
A: I’d love to ride in the Pyrenees and the Alps. Those areas have incredible terrain and a strong riding culture, and I’m really interested in experiencing how they’ve developed their trail networks.
Q: Where in the world do you want to visit outside of riding?
A: Patagonia and different parts of Asia are high on my list. Both offer a mix of nature, culture, and landscapes that feel very different from what we have here.
Q: What’s something about Oaxaca that might surprise people?
A: Most people come for the food and culture, but what surprises them is the scale and diversity of the mountains. We have truly world-class trails here, and you can ride for days through different ecosystems and communities, every ride feels completely different.
Q: Your family owns a flautas restaurant chain—tell us about that.
A: Yes, my family runs a flautas business that has been part of my life for years. We’re currently expanding into Mexico City, which has us really excited. We see it as a big step forward and a great opportunity to grow the brand. You have to try the classic flautas with all the toppings, that’s the real deal.
Get a glimpse of our time well spent with Buca in our new short film, Pursue Your Thrill: Oaxaca. And if you’re heading down to Oaxaca to do some riding of your own, we can’t recommend reaching out to Buca enough.
